Honest Review of the Famous Seongsu-dong Restaurant, Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang - The Truth About the Waiting Line

A Hot Spot in Seongsu-dong Recommended by a Friend

A colleague at work kept recommending Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang as a must-try when visiting Seongsu-dong, and I finally got to try it! It was fascinating to hear about a place so famous for gamjatang, so I decided to visit while in Seongsu-dong.

It's about a 5-minute walk from exit 4 of Seongsu Station. As you head towards Yeonmujang-gil, you can spot the waiting line, making it easy to find.

There was a line when we arrived too ㅠㅠ. Seongsu-dong is such a hot area, so there were people everywhere.

Waiting is Standard, But There's an Annex

We arrived around 7 PM on a Saturday, and the main branch seemed to have a long wait. Fortunately, there was an annex right next door, and we were directed there. Had I known about the annex beforehand, I would have worried less ㅋㅋ

The annex is right next to the main branch, so it's easy to find. When the main branch is full, they guide you to the annex, allowing you to get in faster.

The inside has a typical gamjatang restaurant atmosphere. The tables are spacious enough for four people. It's open 24 hours, so it's nice to know you can visit anytime.

Menu Selection and Ordering Process

The menu mainly features gamjatang, but there's more variety than expected. We ordered a medium gamjatang with fried rice and sujebi (hand-pulled dough) added.

Medium Gamjatang

45,000 KRW

Fried Rice

5,000 KRW

Sujebi

3,000 KRW

The price is honestly a bit high. Compared to other neighborhoods, it's definitely more expensive in Seongsu-dong.

The staff kindly explained the menu and recommended adding extra ingredients for a more filling meal.

Side Dishes and Waiting for the Food

The side dishes are basic. Kimchi, bean sprouts, and radish? Nothing particularly impressive. The kimchi was well-fermented, making it a good match with the gamjatang.

We waited about 15 minutes after ordering. The smell of gamjatang cooking from the kitchen was truly appetizing.

Finally Tasting It! Is It As Good As Rumored?

The gamjatang finally arrived! The aroma was really nice. The bones were a decent size, and the potatoes were large, making it look hearty.

The first spoonful revealed a rich and spicy broth. It's not as fiery as malatang but moderately spicy. The meat fell off the bone easily and was tender, making it easy to eat.

But to be honest... it didn't feel extraordinarily special. It was tasty, but not to the point where I'd say, 'Wow, it's worth waiting in line for this.' It's just a typically delicious gamjatang, I think.

The sujebi was chewy and quite good. It absorbed a lot of the broth, making it tasty. Adding this was definitely a good choice.

How Did My Friends React?

The reactions among my friends were mixed. One friend said, 'It's not as good as I expected.' Another said, 'It's alright.' I was somewhere in between.

Perhaps we had high expectations because it's so famous. The taste is definitely there, but it's not quite an 'amazing gamjatang' experience.

The fried rice, stir-fried with kimchi, was also decent. Adding some gamjatang broth made it even better.

How's the Value for Money?

In terms of value for money, there are some disappointing aspects. At 45,000 KRW for a medium size, it's suitable for four people, but compared to other neighborhoods, it's on the expensive side.

With the fried rice and sujebi, the total came to 53,000 KRW. For four people, that's about 13,000 KRW per person. Considering Seongsu-dong's prices, it seems reasonable.

Visit Tips and Cautions

Being open 24 hours is really convenient. It's great for a late-night hangover cure.

Exploring Seongsu-dong

After eating gamjatang, we explored Seongsu-dong a bit. There are many cafes and places to check out. Seoul Forest is nearby, making it great for a walk.

With places like Musinsa Store and other hot spots in Seongsu-dong nearby, it's nice to explore together. Eating gamjatang and then walking around to digest is enjoyable.

Honest Overall Impression

Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang... to be honest, it tastes good. But it's not extraordinarily special or an 'amazing restaurant' experience. Just a typically delicious gamjatang place?

Whether it's worth waiting for might vary from person to person. I'm satisfied with having experienced it once, but I probably won't go out of my way to visit again. Maybe if I'm in Seongsu-dong and other places are full?

Still, it's not a bad choice for a trip to Seongsu-dong with friends. It's nice to say you've been to a famous place ㅎㅎ