Gomtang (곰탕)

Slow-simmered beef soup, clearer cousin of seolleongtang.

Korean name: 곰탕
Spice level: Not spicy
Flavor: savory · mild
Typically contains: beef
Vegetarian / vegan: Not vegetarian — meat or seafood is core to the dish
Typical price: ₩11,000–₩15,000 per person checked 2026-07 — varies by area
Good to know: Beginner-friendly ●●●●○ Solo dining ●●●●● Kid-friendly ●●●●○
Also written as: gom tang, gomguk, beef bone soup

Spice and flavor are editorial assessments of the standard version — individual restaurants and recipes vary. Ingredient notes are typical, not guaranteed: always check with the restaurant for allergies or dietary needs. Eating and cooking notes describe common practice in Korea; our first-hand deep-dives live in the Eat Like a Local guides.

What is Gomtang?

Gomtang (곰탕) is slow-boiled beef soup — related to seolleongtang but traditionally simmered from meatier cuts, giving a clearer, beefier broth. The name comes from the verb "to simmer for a long time." Nokdong and Naju in the southwest are famous for their clear regional styles. Like its milky cousin, it is served with rice, scallion, salt to season yourself, and radish kimchi — a dish judged entirely on the honesty of its broth.

How to eat it

Season with salt and scallion like seolleongtang — clear gomtang broth is also served unsalted.
Eat the brisket slices with a dab of mustard or in the soup.
Pour a little kkakdugi brine in if you like it tangy — old-timers' trick.

Good to know

Often pricier than seolleongtang because of the meat cuts — check the menu tier (특/보통).

Gomtang is meat-forward and clearer; seolleongtang is bone-forward and milkier — Koreans debate the difference endlessly.

Where to eat it

Selected classic places — verified, sourced, never sponsored. See all →

하동관 · Hadongkwan Myeong-dong (Jung-gu) · ₩₩

Best known for this dishSince 1939MICHELIN Guide listed

Seoul's definitive gomtang house since 1939 — one clear beef soup done one way, sold until it runs out, usually by mid-afternoon.

Known for: Gomtang

Naver Map ↗ Google Maps ↗

Open as of our last check (2026-07-20) · Sources: MICHELIN Guide — hours, prices and status can change; check the map link before visiting.

Nutrition

Calories	24 kcal
Carbohydrate	0.11 g
Protein	3.43 g
Fat	1.12 g
Sodium	124 mg

Per serving (~600g): ≈144 kcal · sodium ≈744 mg (37% of the WHO daily guideline, 2,000 mg)

Per 100g · total serving 600g · Official data: National Integrated Food Nutritional Information Standard Data (Korea MFDS) (DB item: 곰탕, synced 2026-07-17). Values vary by recipe and portion.