Dawoori Seolleungtang 다우리 설렁탕 (Sangsu-dong, Hongdae, Seoul)

Here’s another solid, small mom n pop restaurant that I got to visit during my short time in Seoul. They specialize in hearty Seolleungtang (Beef Bone Soup) and Someori Gukbap (“Cow’s Head Rice Soup”), the latter being a more adventurous eat for those unfamiliar with this type of soup. The terrific broth is lovingly made in a traditional iron pot called gamasot overnight, resulting in a rich, milky-white soup with the accompanying banchan (fresh gutjeori kimchi and kkakdugi) being just as good as the main.The husband and wife duo have been around for over 10 years and it’s a favorite among the locals on the quieter side of Hongdae near Sangsu Station (Line 6, Exit 4).

On this particular visit, I ordered the more “adventurous” dish while my girlfriend’s sister ordered the Seolleuntang (both @ 7,000 won each). Simply put, both perfectly hit the spot on a chilly afternoon in Seoul. Both soups had an equal amount of meat and somyeon (thin noodles), further balanced out with the addition of rice, shaved leeks, and self-seasoning salt n pepper. Needless to say, I finished off the entire bowl in record time despite sweating up a storm (served in a ttukbaeggi hot pot) and burning the roof of my mouth in the process (don’t you hate that?). For my dish, if you can get over the fact that you’re eating parts of a cow’s head, you’ll love this hearty, protein-n-nutrient rich soup filled with gelatinous fatty tongue, cartilage, cheek, and other indiscernible pieces. Give the place a try if you’re in the area! 🙂