Hadongkwan

Cuisine

Gomtang

Michelin

selected

Price

₩

Description

Established in 1939, Hadongkwan is a Myeong-dong institution renowned for its consistently delicious flavours. Its signature gomtang features a clean yet deeply savoury broth, generously filled with brisket, offal, and tripe. Served with rice warmed in the clear beef broth and topped with plenty of chopped scallions, it becomes a hearty meal best enjoyed alongside Seoul-style kkakdugi. This old-fashioned eatery opens early in the morning and closes when its soup vats run dry. Lines are expected during busy hours.

Review score

3.7

Review count

80

Review summary

Located in Myeongdong, Hadongkwan is a long-established restaurant known for traditional beef bone soup (Gomtang). Food quality receives mixed feedback; while many praise the clear broth, tender beef, and lack of gamey odor, others find the flavor too mild or bland. It is often recommended as a hangover cure or authentic breakfast. Service is generally efficient but basic, with occasional reports of unfriendliness. The ambiance is simple, though brass tableware adds a touch of luxury. Value is a significant point of contention; numerous reviewers consider the portion sizes small relative to the high price, deeming it overpriced. However, some tourists still view it as a must-try for traditional Korean cuisine despite the cost.

Best for

Suitable for travelers seeking traditional clear broth flavors who are less concerned with portion size and value.

Restaurant facts are unified under a canonical restaurant ID; source ids are references. Commission never ranks. FlyerKey never transacts — any booking link is an off-site affiliate deep-link, and commission never influences ranking.