The True Taste of Michelin Gomtang! Honest Review of Collagen Bone Broth Gomtang at Gomtang Lab in Sinsa-dong

Finally Visiting the Gomtang Restaurant by the Chef from Jeong Sik Dang!

Yesterday, I went shopping in Sinsa-dong with a friend, and just as we were saying, "Oh, I'm hungry," my friend suddenly said, "Sister! I heard there's a Michelin-rated gomtang place nearby. Shall we check it out?" At first, I thought, "Gomtang got a Michelin?" But it turns out it's a gomtang specialty restaurant by the famous chef from Jeong Sik Dang.

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of gomtang (I'm more of a seolleongtang person... hehe), but my friend really wanted to go, so I said, "Okay, let's give it a try." But after going, my prejudice against gomtang completely changed!

A Gomtang Restaurant on the First Floor of a Hotel

The location is on the first floor of the Anteroom Seoul Hotel, which you can reach by walking straight from exit 8 of Sinsa Station towards Apgujeong. At first, I was like, "Oh, a hotel?" but then I saw the Gomtang Lab sign at the entrance. The restaurant is structured in a corner of the hotel lobby.

We went around 1 PM on a Saturday, and luckily there was no waiting, but there were quite a few people. I heard you can also check on Catch Table. They don't take reservations during lunch hours and only accept walk-ins.

An Interior That Was Completely Unexpected

I was completely surprised as soon as I walked in! The ceiling was incredibly high, and the large windows gave a fantastic sense of openness. Plus, there were actual bamboo plants, which were really beautiful. The November sunlight streaming in gave a warm feeling.

The interior was neatly done in wood tones, with vibrant paintings and plants on the walls as focal points. It was a completely different atmosphere from a typical gomtang place! It felt luxurious and modern.

Each table had a kiosk, making ordering convenient, and the staff was really friendly. The place wasn't as big as I expected, but the high ceiling prevented any sense of being cramped.

The Happy Dilemma of Choosing a Menu

Looking at the menu, I saw that even though it's gomtang, there were so many varieties. Meat gomtang, collagen bone broth gomtang, lamb gomtang, special gomtang... and side dishes like kimchi pancakes and boiled pork slices.

But since the 'collagen bone broth gomtang' was the signature dish, limited to 20 bowls a day, we decided on that right away! My friend ordered the lamb gomtang. The price... honestly, it's more expensive than a regular gomtang place. The collagen bone broth gomtang was 20,000 won, and the lamb gomtang was about 18,000 won? But considering it's Michelin and in a hotel, you have to take that into account, haha.

Even the Basic Setting is Different

While waiting for our order, the basic side dishes came out, and they were a work of art. Kimchi, radish kimchi, and pickled vegetables served in clean white bowls. The kimchi had a nice tangy taste and was refreshing, and the radish kimchi was crunchy and had a great texture.

The table setting was also really neat. Instead of plastic chopsticks or metal spoons like at a regular gomtang place, there were beautiful ceramic dishes and wooden chopsticks... every detail was different.

Finally, the Collagen Bone Broth Gomtang Arrives!

When the food came out, seriously... even the visual was completely different. The broth wasn't cloudy like regular gomtang but was clear and transparent with a really rich color. At first glance, you could tell, "Oh, this has been simmered for a long time."

As soon as I took the first spoonful, "Wow..." I was truly amazed. It was a deep flavor on a different level from regular gomtang! It wasn't greasy but was really rich, and the aftertaste was clean, making me want to keep drinking it. The broth was slightly thick, probably because of the collagen.

The meat was really tender and substantial. Brisket, shank, and such cuts melted in my mouth. And there were tails and feet included, offering a variety of textures. Especially the tail part had a unique gelatin-like texture.

The Lamb Gomtang My Friend Had Was Amazing Too

I tried a spoonful of my friend's lamb gomtang, and I was really surprised. There was none of the distinct lamb smell, and it was rather savory! The broth was clean with a savory taste, and the lamb was well-cooked and tender.

My friend was also completely satisfied, saying, "This is really delicious! I didn't know lamb gomtang could be this good." I'm not usually a fan of lamb, but the lamb gomtang here was really tasty.

A Pleasant Time Throughout the Meal

Aside from the food, the atmosphere was really nice, making me feel good throughout the meal. You could see the Garosu-gil scenery outside, and the inside of the restaurant was quiet and comfortable. The staff was attentive from a reasonable distance.

We sat near the area with bamboo, and it truly felt healing. It was amazing to experience such an atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Convenient Parking Because It's a Hotel

For reference, you can use the valet parking at Anteroom Hotel. It's paid (5,000 won for 2 hours), but it was nice to dine without worrying about parking in Sinsa-dong. It's also easily accessible by public transport, about a 10-minute walk from Sinsa Station.

Honest Overall Impressions and Some Disappointments

Although it's expensive, it was really delicious. If you want to eat genuinely 'delicious gomtang' rather than just filling your stomach, I highly recommend it! Especially in cold weather, it's perfect. The broth is really rich yet clean, making you feel comfortable inside and definitely warming you up.

However, there were a few disappointments. First, the price... if you go expecting a regular gomtang place, you might be surprised. Also, the signature menu is limited daily, so if you go late, you might miss out. We went around 1 PM and were lucky, but it's probably best to go right at the 11 AM opening.

The place isn't that big, so there might be a wait during lunchtime. It might be better to aim for weekday afternoons or dinner time.

100% Willingness to Revisit!

Even so, I'm 100% willing to revisit! Next time, I want to try the meat gomtang, and since I heard the kimchi pancakes are delicious, I'll order those too. I think I'll crave it again in winter.

My friend and I joked, "We can't go to regular gomtang places anymore," but it seems like my standards for gomtang have really gone up, haha. I'll definitely come back on special occasions or when I want to treat myself!

If you're going to Sinsa-dong, especially if you like gomtang, you must try it. You'll understand why Michelin selected it. Just be sure to prepare your wallet... 😅