Hapjeong Michelin Restaurant Okdongsik - The Essence of Clear Pork Soup Selected for 6 Consecutive Years

The Place I Kept Seeing on Instagram, Finally Visited!

I finally visited Okdongsik, which I was curious about because I saw it so often on social media these days! My friend kept recommending it, saying, "It's a Michelin restaurant and it's really delicious," so I eventually went, and it was a decision I didn't regret at all, haha.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon when I was craving warm soup, I met up with a friend at Hapjeong Station and walked there. It was located more in a residential area than I expected!

There's a Reason Michelin Chose It for 6 Consecutive Years

When we arrived, there were already waiting customers sitting on the stairs. As expected from a famous restaurant, waiting is a given. Fortunately, we had made a reservation through Catch Table, so we didn't have to wait too long.

Inside the store, it was a more compact space than I thought. It had a ramen shop vibe? The counter seats were the main seating, and overall, it had a clean and modern interior.

The Menu is Simple and Clear! It's All About Pork Soup

The menu was really simple. Just regular pork soup (11,000 won), special (16,000 won), and kimchi dumplings (8,000 won). Somehow, this makes it more trustworthy. It feels like they are focused on one thing?

I ordered the regular pork soup and kimchi dumplings. My friend ordered the special, and later I noticed that the amount of meat was definitely different!

I Was Amazed from the First Spoonful

The pork soup finally arrived! It was served in a brass bowl, and you could really feel the care put into it. The broth was so clear and transparent that I was surprised. It's a completely different visual from typical pork soup.

When I took the first spoonful... Wow, is this really pork broth? It was so clean and had a deep flavor. There was no porky smell at all, and it felt really clear and refreshing. At first, I thought it might be a bit bland, but the more I drank, the more addictive it became.

The Meat is Incredibly Tender

The meat was cooked so tenderly that it would fall apart with just a touch of the chopsticks. It was nice to chew, and it tasted even better when dipped in the sauce. The provided sauce had a slightly sweet and sour taste, which went really well with the meat.

The kimchi dumplings were also really delicious! The kimchi flavor was strong, and it harmonized well with the pork. The dumpling skin was chewy, and the filling was packed, so it was satisfying.

Waiting Tips and Visit Information

On weekends, the wait can be over an hour, so make sure to reserve! We went around 2 PM on a Saturday, and if we hadn't reserved, we would have waited a long time.

Places to Explore Near Hapjeong Station

Since we visited Okdongsik, we also explored near Hapjeong Station. It's about a 10-minute walk to Hongdae, and Mangwon Market is close by, making it great for exploring. Especially in Mangwon-dong's cafe street, there are many pretty cafes, making it perfect for dessert after a meal!

And I found out that this Okdongsik has expanded to New York and is popular there as well. It was even selected as one of the best dishes by The New York Times... It's really amazing!

Honest Overall Review

Honestly, at first, I thought 11,000 won was a bit expensive, but after trying it, I understood. It's a completely different level of food compared to regular pork soup. Considering the depth of the broth, the quality of the meat, and the overall completeness, the price is worth it.

However, the portion might be a bit lacking. I usually eat a lot, and the regular size was slightly insufficient for me. Next time, I'll order the special!

Would I visit again? Of course! This time, I want to go with friends and try the special size. I really understand why Michelin selected it for 6 consecutive years. If you're in Hapjeong, make sure to stop by!