A Hearty Breakfast at Hadongkwan Before Heading to the Airport
Starting the Day with Gentle, Comforting Gomtang
There are so many great options for breakfast in Korea, but since I was about to board a long flight to India, I wanted something light and soothing. So I headed to Hadongkwan, a famous spot known for its delicious gomtang (beef bone soup).
It’s a legendary restaurant that’s even been visited by several former Korean presidents—so I was really looking forward to trying it out!
What is Gomtang?
The name “gomtang” comes from the Korean word “gom (곰)”, which means to boil for a long time, and “tang (탕)”, meaning soup.
So essentially, it’s a clear beef soup made by simmering beef meat, bones, and offal for hours—simple, hearty, and full of umami.
There are quite a few gomtang spots in Seoul, but Hadongkwan stands out for its early opening hours—it opens around 7:00 AM, making it a perfect place for a warm breakfast.
How to Get to Hadongkwan
The restaurant is about a 5-minute walk from two major subway stations:
- Line 2: Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (Exit 5)
- Line 4: Myeong-dong Station (Exit 8)
It’s also within walking distance from Myeong-dong, so if you’re shopping or staying in the area, it’s super easy to stop by.
Digging Into Gomtang
I was surprised by how simple the presentation was—it looked even more minimal than I expected. But once I took a sip of the broth, I was blown away by how rich and flavorful it was.
The deep beef flavor filled the bowl, making it the perfect comfort food to start the day.
The kimchi served on the side wasn’t too spicy, which made it just right for breakfast.
I arrived a little after 7:00 AM, just after opening, and the place was already about half full—with a good mix of tourists and locals alike.
A Morning Walk After Breakfast
There’s something about walking through a city in the early morning sunshine that feels so refreshing—no matter where you are.
I walked a bit farther to catch the train, then headed to Seoul Station.
From there, it was off to Incheon Airport—and finally, time to fly to India.