Seoul Korean restaurant in an Insadong alley: red gomtang, sogokju

Gomtang for lunch near Anguk Station: red gomtang at Wolhadong in Insadong

I was hunting for somewhere to eat lunch near Anguk Station and Insadong, and that's how I ended up at Wolhadong. On a day when the weather's turning a little cooler, or you just want something hearty, you crave soup, right? So after some back-and-forth, I decided on gomtang (beef bone soup) and went.

Where Wolhadong is and what hours it keeps

Wolhadong is located at 16-1 Insadong 8-gil, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It sits tucked inside an Insadong alley, so it was nice to wander and look around on the way there — and the spot really matched Insadong's particular atmosphere.

• 📍 Wolhadong — 16-1 Insadong 8-gil, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰ 11:00 - 21:00
• Break time 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order 20:30
• ※ Lunch only on Chuseok day

Inside Wolhadong: a hanok-style dining room

Even before stepping in, I could sense that comfortable atmosphere typical of Korean restaurants, and the interior didn't disappoint either. It had an overall hanok feel while still being neatly decorated, which made it pleasant to eat in. I figured the Anguk Station and Insadong area, full of stylish cafés and restaurants these days, would draw mostly younger customers, but there were more older guests than I expected.

The samboktang hot pot at the next table kept catching my eye

What especially caught my attention was the samboktang (hot pot). Some older guests at the next table were eating it, and the smell was really good. It looked delicious too, so I kept glancing over. I'd only planned on gomtang this time, but seeing that samboktang made me want to come back with friends and try the hot pot next.

How does Wolhadong's red gomtang taste?

What I ordered that day was the red gomtang. The broth came out hot, and one spoonful in, my stomach already felt at ease. Rather than a strong, intense flavor, it had that clean, understated gomtang taste, and eating the meat with the broth made for a filling meal.

The kimchi at Wolhadong I kept reaching for

And what personally impressed me at Wolhadong was the kimchi. Kimchi quietly matters a lot at a gomtang restaurant, and this one was so tasty that my chopsticks kept going back for more alongside the soup. Everything overall gave off a neat, well-kept impression — this felt like Korean food that's clean and pleasant to eat rather than heavily seasoned.

Red gomtang with a glass of sogokju rice wine

That day I also ordered a glass of sogokju, a bit of a special touch. I wasn't sure at first how gomtang and sogokju would go together, but it worked better than I expected. The warm, mild gomtang and the sogokju didn't clash too strongly, so it was nice to sip a glass alongside the meal.

Next time: Wolhadong's signature wolha gomtang

After enjoying the red gomtang, I actually got curious about the wolha gomtang instead. The red gomtang was plenty tasty, but now I want to order the wolha gomtang next time and taste Wolhadong's original gomtang flavor. It's been a while since finishing one dish made me curious about another.

Coming with a group? Split a gomtang and a hot pot

So next time I'm planning to come back with friends, try the samboktang, and also take on the wolha gomtang. The samboktang I watched at the next table has stayed on my mind. If you're visiting with several people, splitting gomtang and hot pot between the table sounds like a good idea. Insadong has no shortage of restaurants, but after eating at Wolhadong, this feels like the kind of place that comes to mind when you want something a bit more filling and comforting than the usual quick sightseeing bite.

Why Wolhadong is worth a lunch stop in Insadong

If you're specifically after a Korean gomtang restaurant in Insadong, it's worth a stop, and it'd also work well for anyone near Anguk Station craving a warm soup dish. I came here looking for a gomtang restaurant near Anguk Station, and the food was neat, the interior was pleasant, and the staff were kind, so the whole meal put me in a good mood. Most of all, I'd go back — I'm already debating whether to try the wolha gomtang next time, or bring friends for the samboktang. 😋

If you're near Anguk Station or Insadong looking for a hearty Korean meal, gomtang is a solid choice for lunch in the area.