Korean-style rice noodles with radish pickle near Sinnonhyeon

Right in front of Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 1: Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch

I went out to Gangnam over the weekend and stopped by Geumnyeong Gomtang, famous as a go-to spot for office workers near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Geumnyeong Gomtang is just 88m from Exit 1 of Sinnonhyeon Station, right in front of the subway exit, so it was super easy to get to.

On the wall along the walkway in, they'd hung a mirror shaped like an Instagram frame — it works as a photo zone and interior touch, but it's also great for a quick teeth check on the way out haha ㅋㅋㅋ Such a practical bit of sense✨

What's the vibe like inside?

The interior was spacious and clean, almost giving off a refreshing feeling like stepping into a bamboo forest. Plus the owner greeted us with such warmth and kindness❤️ The bright, open atmosphere was really nice overall.

There was a sign inside saying they only use the finest Hanwoo (Korean native beef), and to back that up, they had beef labels on display in one corner. It gave off a really strong sense of trust!

What we ordered and the prices

Choi took a seat and placed the order. The menu was super simple — which honestly made the food feel even more confident about its own taste.

• Gomtang (special) ₩15,000
• Rice noodles ₩13,000

As the name suggests, Geumnyeong Gomtang is known for its gomtang (beef bone soup), especially the minari (water dropwort) gomtang loaded with minari, but Choi wanted a clear broth, so we ordered the regular gomtang.

The self-bar side dish lineup

After ordering, we used the self-bar. It was so clean it practically sparkled.

The self-bar had basic side dishes that paired well with gomtang, and both ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste) and gochujang (red chili paste) were available so you could use whichever you liked.

We filled the table with the kimchi the owner brought out plus the self-bar sides. The peppers were huge and tasty, and honestly all the sides were good enough to eat with just rice alone >_<

Korean-style rice noodles, clean and spice-free

The dishes we ordered arrived. First up, the rice noodles! Loaded with scallions and loaded with meat.

I tasted the broth first. It was rich and deep, feeling like a somewhat Korean-style take on rice noodle soup, but the broth was clean and really tasty.

The noodles mixed in smoothly too. Slurped up together with the meat. The noodles were really soft, the meat was tender, and it was a rice noodle dish where the gomtang broth truly shone.

Piling meat and dried radish strips onto the rice noodles was absolute magic! The dried radish was perfectly seasoned with great texture, the kind of side that goes with just about anything. If you're not into the distinct smell of Vietnamese pho or dislike spices, I'd recommend this Korean-style rice noodles!

How big is the gomtang (special) portion?

Next up, the gomtang. Ordering the special meant the bowl itself was even bigger. The rice came already mixed in, and it had so much chopped scallion on top — loved it >_<

The meat was melt-in-your-mouth soft. You can just tell how tender it is from looking at it. The portion of meat was generous too, and being tender made it even better.

Piling meat on top of the rice for a big bite. The rice wasn't mushy — each grain stayed distinct and had a nice bite to it, and the clear, clean broth simmered for a long time was fantastic too.

Topped it with kimchi for another bite! The crunchy kimchi paired so well. This place seems perfect for office workers around Geumnyeong Gomtang to grab for lunch.

Every table had soy sauce ready for dipping the meat, so I tried dipping it in too. The soy sauce wasn't too salty — not sure if it's a special house blend, but it went really well with the meat and was delicious. Even though the special size was a pretty large portion, the rich, deep broth was so good I finished every last bit.

Was it good for solo dining?

On the way out, there were Chupa Chups lollipops at the counter. Being able to pick one out yourself is such a nice touch…✨ Great for freshening up after the meal too. The spacious dining room makes it comfortable for solo diners, and I'd recommend Geumnyeong Gomtang whenever you're craving Korean food or looking for a lunch spot. If you're looking for a Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, I recommend Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch!

Summary

• A great gomtang restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station
• Spacious, clean dining room, good for both solo dining and group lunches or dinners
• Uses only top-grade Hanwoo beef, with a rich yet clean broth
• Recommended Korean restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam!