Aeseong Hoegwan
I really love Gukbap (Korean rice soup). I’ve been posting about different gukbap spots for quite some time, and I’m especially fond of clear Gomtang made with beef broth.
I recently revisited Okdongsik, which is one of my favorites, but today I finally got to visit Aeseong Hoegwan (Myeongdong, Seoul) Hanwoo-Gomtang for the first time, thanks to my friends' recommendation. It's a well-known beef soup spot with a 30-year history, though surprisingly, I had never heard of it before.
Tucked among tall hotels, Aeseong Hoegwan sits in one of the few low-rise buildings left in the area.
Even though it was still quite early, some people had already finished their meals, and others from all age groups were enjoying their breakfast.
Menu
The menu at Aeseong Hoegwan is refreshingly simple. There’s the regular and large-size gomtang, as well as their signature cold soybean noodle soup. They also serve dishes like suyuk (boiled beef), bulgogi, Korean beef with octopus, and stir-fried octopus.
Once seated, you’re immediately served the only side dishes: kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and cabbage kimchi.
Hanwoo gomtang (special) 12,000 won
This is the special-size Hanwoo gomtang at Aeseong Hoegwan.
Served in a thick brass bowl, it’s packed with sliced green onions, medium-thick noodles, generous cuts of beef, and rice. The clear broth adds to the minimalist beauty of the dish.
Unlike the usual thin noodles, this gomtang includes medium-thick noodles that are perfectly cooked. They don’t cloud the broth, which makes me feel like Aeseong Hoegwan’s version is something a little more special.
The broth of Aeseong Hoegwan’s hanwoo gomtang is crystal-clear, with barely any trace of grease.
The beef slices on top were incredibly tender. While I couldn't quite tell the exact cut, they didn’t feel like meat boiled for stock, more like beef that had been cooked separately for flavor. It had a lovely umami depth and a satisfying texture with each bite.
The broth was already perfectly seasoned, so I didn’t feel the need to add extra side dishes or even pepper, which I really appreciated. Every spoonful of rice soaked in the broth, along with the beef, scallions, and chewy noodles, was just delicious.
My first visit to Aeseong Hoegwan left a strong impression. The beef was top quality, and the clean, well-balanced broth was something anyone could enjoy.
The use of medium-thick noodles instead of thin ones gave it a unique edge, making this hanwoo gomtang feel even more complete.
The most surprising part? The price. This hearty, high-quality hanwoo gomtang in a large portion was only 12,000 won. In today’s age of soaring prices, finding such a satisfying meal at this cost feels like a gift.
Address : 23 Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Phone : +82-2-352-0303
Operation Hours : Mon-Fri : 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 20:00 (Sun closed, break : 14:30 - 17:00)
Instagram : Check out more photos
Source : https://blog.naver.com/dongll/223826720576
Writer : dongll
Special thanks to dongll