An authentic Korean dining experience with all the eccentricities you want from a traditional shop. Order and pay before you sit down (they do accept credit cards), the menu is bare with a few variations on the same dish, and food comes out seconds after you take your seat. Came here on a weekday and not a single tourist in site, only locals. The beef soup broth is excellent, the meat is tender, and the portions are Korean sized (if you want foreigner medium, order a large bowl). Also, for folks with celiac disease and gluten intolerance this is a heaven. They only serve meat and rice. The broth is home cooked and wheat free. Just avoid the side dishes, because they often have a dash of soy sauce, so why risk it. Highly recommended for folks who want an authentic experience.

Hadongkwan is a very simple, old-school spot in Myeongdong with a focused menu, which I appreciated. I went in expecting a lot because of the Michelin reputation and my love of seollongtang, but it was more modest than I hoped. Still, if you enjoy a straightforward bowl and don’t mind a no-frills approach, it’s worth trying once.

+3

I dropped by Hadongkwan right after landing at Incheon Airport and no queue at all (open just at 7am) Only three or four tables of tourists filled the ground floor, plus an upstairs seating area with extra space, making it a relaxing stop for an early breakfast. This Michelin Bib Gourmand spot is famous for its clear beef gomtang, and the broth truly lives up to its reputation. Simmered for hours, it carries pure, rich beef flavour without heavy greasiness, and the slow cooking technique balances lightness and depth perfectly. I ordered the medium-size bowl priced at 25,000 won, yet I was disappointed by the portion of beef, only a few thin slices floated in the soup. I’m curious whether the small size comes with even less meat. Overall, the taste is well-crafted, but the pricing feels overpriced given the tiny beef serving. While the clean broth is comforting for jet-lagged mornings, I doubt I would wait in a long line just to eat here again. It works as a convenient early stop near Myeongdong when there’s no crowd

+3

I came to Hadongkwan with high expectations because of the hype, but I found it to be just a normal gomtang place. The broth wasn't deep and felt a bit thin, though the taste was okay overall. Compared to other spots, it is definitely pricey for what you get. While the history is cool, the food itself didn't stand out enough to justify the cost or the wait. There are plenty of other great soup spots in the city that offer better value.

+2

I went to eat 18,000 won Gomtang, but the rice was small, so I asked for a little more rice, and they said it was 23,000 won special, but if I didn't eat it, it would be an additional 10,000 won. It's absurd, but I paid to eat it. The photo was taken for 10,000 won. Happy you.