Hadongkwan Myeongdong Main Branch
하동관 명동본점 · Soups & Stews
ABOUT
Hadongkwan is one of Seoul's classic destinations for gomtang, a clear Korean beef soup traditionally enjoyed as a hearty but relatively simple meal. Established in 1939, the restaurant has built its reputation around a deeply savory broth made from Korean beef, bones, and various beef cuts. Unlike heavily seasoned soups, Hadongkwan's broth is deliberately restrained, allowing the natural beef flavor to remain at the center. The restaurant is also known for its distinctive ordering system, where the amount of beef in the bowl can be increased through options such as regular, 25 Gong, and 30 Gong. The Myeongdong location is particularly suitable for travelers who want to experience an old Seoul institution rather than a modern Korean restaurant. The menu is extremely focused, so ordering is simple: gomtang is the main choice, while suyuk is available for sharing. It is also an unusually good breakfast option for visitors, opening at 7:00 AM and closing at 4:00 PM. This is a restaurant to visit for the food itself and the long history behind it, rather than for atmosphere, elaborate presentation, or a leisurely dining experience.
WHAT LOCALS SAY
kimchi and kkakdugi provide the sharper, refreshing contrast to the mild broth. Reviews frequently mention the combination of the soup and kimchi as one of the highlights, and broth refills are also mentioned positively. For travelers, the important expectation is that this is not a strongly seasoned “wow” soup; its appeal is the quiet depth of a traditional Seoul-style beef broth.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
PRACTICAL INFO
Know before
you go.
7AM–4PM
NO BREAK TIME
CLOSED SUNDAYS
₩18,000–₩30,000 / serving
Hadongkwan is especially useful for travelers who want an early Korean breakfast or a traditional lunch in central Seoul. It opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM, with Sunday as its regular day off. There is no dedicated parking, so walking or public transportation is much easier. The restaurant is in a small side street just off the main Myeongdong shopping area, so using the exact address is recommended rather than relying only on the restaurant name. For a first visit, Regular Gomtang is the sensible choice. The 25 Gong and 30 Gong versions are for travelers who specifically want more beef, while Suyuk makes more sense when two or more people want to share a separate beef dish. Don't expect a spicy or heavily seasoned soup. The appeal is the clear beef broth, soft rice, beef, and sharp kimchi/kkakdugi together. If you want to understand what traditional Seoul-style gomtang is supposed to taste like, this is one of the more meaningful restaurants to include on Eat in Korea.
서울 중구 명동9길 12 1-2층12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-5656
FIND YOUR WAY
TRAVELER REVIEWS