Seongsu Restaurant Somunnan Gamjatang: Best Korean Pork Bone Soup in Seoul

Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang Review

If you’re looking for a delicious Korean restaurant in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang is the place to go. Just one spoonful of the gamjatang broth delivers a deep, rich umami flavor, and the pork spine bones are so tender they fall apart at the touch of chopsticks. Finish it off with the savory fried rice for the perfect ending! Even foreign friends are impressed—discover for yourself what makes Seongsu gamjatang so extraordinary.

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So Mun Nan Seongsu Gamjatang Restaurant: Basic Information

So Mun Nan Seongsu Gamjatang (Famous Seongsu Korean Pork Bone Soup)

Restaurant Name	소문난성수감자탕(So Mun Nan Seongsu Gamjatang, Famous Seongsu Korean Pork Bone Soup)
Type of Cuisine	Korean
Restaurant Address	45 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Restaurant Business Hours	Open 24 hours, year-round
Parking	Parking Available  • Building’s automated parking tower is available only during meal times; valet parking is available anytime for 2,000 KRW  • Make sure to check the time on your receipt after finishing your meal and payment • If you extend your parking after finishing your meal, a fee of 5,000 KRW will be charged for every 30 minutes
Seating Capacity	Main building: over 50 hall seats; Annex building: over 20 hall seats
Amenities	Free drinking water, complimentary use of on-site restrooms, available for groups of 4 or more

"Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang(Famous Seongsu Korean Pork Bone Soup)" is a renowned restaurant that opened in 1983 in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, and has continued operating at the same location without relocation ever since.

The restaurant offers affordable and hearty “Gamjat-guk meals” (pork bone soup) 24 hours a day. It’s perfect for small gatherings enjoying gamjatang with soju, adding extra napa cabbage or handmade dough flakes to the soup, and finishing off with fried rice in the leftover broth, making it ideal for family dining as well.

Already famous for its quality, Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang gained nationwide recognition after appearing on SBS’s 2016 show 3 Great Kings, solidifying its reputation as one of Seoul’s top gamjatang spots. Since then, it has attracted visitors from all over Korea as well as international tourists, making it a restaurant where lines are common.

So Mun Nan Seongsu Gamjatang Restaurant: Menu and Prices 

Menu	Price (KRW)
감자탕 (Gamjatang, Hot pot–style, meant for sharing with friends)	• 감자탕 대(大, Large Gamjatang, serves 4) 49,000 KRW • 감자탕 중(中, Medium Gamjatang, serves 3) 37,000 KRW • 감자탕 소(小, Small Gamjatang, serves 2) 32,000 KRW Gamjatang Add-On Options · 뼈 추가(Extra pork bones) 14,000 KRW · 우거지 추가(Extra napa cabbage) 4,000 KRW · 수제비 추가(Sujeobi, Extra hand-pulled dough flakes) 4,000 KRW · 라면 추가(Extra ramen) 3,000 KRW · 볶음밥(Fried rice) 4,000 KRW · 공깃밥(Steamed rice) 2,000 KRW
감자국 식사 (Gamjat-guk Meal, Individual earthen pot serving, includes 1 bowl of steamed rice)	· 일반(Regular) 12,000 KRW · 우거지 포함(With ugeoji) 13,000 KRW · 곱빼기(Large serving) 13,000 KRW · 우거지 포함 곱빼기(Large serving with ugeoji) 14,000 KRW
Beverages	• 맥주(Bottled Beer) 6,000 KRW • 소주(Soju) 5,000 KRW • 막걸리(Makgeolli) 5,000 KRW • 산사춘(Sansachun) / 백세주(Baekseju) 10,000 KRW • 산삼주(Ginseng Liquor) / 청하(Cheongha) 7,000 KRW • 콜라(Cola) / 사이다(Cider) 2,000 KRW

Gamjatang is a traditional Korean stew made with pork spine bones simmered with potatoes, vegetables, and spicy seasonings, known for its rich, hearty broth and tender meat.

The Gamjatang menu features tender, slow-cooked pork spine generously served in a hot pot, making it perfect for sharing with friends. If you prefer a cleaner, individual meal, the Gamjat-guk-style option is served in a single-serving earthenware bowl.

The Gamjat-guk meal includes one bowl of rice by default, whereas for Gamjatang, rice must be ordered separately. Typically, when enjoying Gamjatang, customers opt for fried rice rather than plain rice.

For Gamjatang, takeout is also available, with single servings priced at 15,000 KRW.

In Korean cuisine, ugeoji refers to leafy green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, radish greens, or mustard greens that are boiled or blanched for use as seasoned greens or in soups. Ugeoji is commonly added to dishes like gamjatang, ugeojitang, or siraegiguk. When added to gamjatang, ugeoji deepens the flavor of the broth, provides a tender texture, and boosts the nutritional value, making the meal more satisfying and complete.

Sujeobi is a Korean dish consisting of hand-pulled, irregularly shaped wheat flour dough pieces cooked in a savory broth, often added to soups and stews for a chewy, comforting texture.

So Mun Nan Seongsu Gamjatang Restaurant: Real Customer Reviews

Gamjatang is often called the soul food of the Korean working class. During the years when Korea was still a developing country, the majority of the population consisted of laborers—the heart of everyday Korean life. After long and exhausting days of hard work, many would stop by small local restaurants to enjoy a steaming bowl of gamjatang with a glass of soju, easing both their hunger and fatigue.

This hearty dish, made with slow-cooked pork spine and a rich, flavorful broth, provided a nutritious meal and the perfect drinking companion. Although Korea has now transformed into a highly developed nation with more intellectual and professional classes than manual laborers, gamjatang remains a beloved dish across all generations and backgrounds.

Traditionally, gamjatang is made by simmering pork backbone for hours until the meat becomes tender and falls off the bone. Then, potatoes, perilla leaves, garlic, chili powder, and other Korean spices and vegetables are added to create a deeply savory and aromatic stew. The tender pork combined with the rich, spicy broth not only warms the body but also nourishes the soul. 

A photo of the front exterior of Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang, showing a crowd of people waiting in line outside the restaurant.

I’m confident in introducing to you the best gamjatang restaurant in South Korea — Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Since its opening in 1983, this restaurant has been loved as one of Korea’s most iconic spots for gamjatang. Not only Koreans, but also Japanese and Chinese visitors are big fans of this place.

Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia visiting Korea has surged. The global influence of K-pop and the series “Demon Hunters” has also played a role. Interestingly, foreign tourists now visit Seongsu-dong more often than traditional hotspots like Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Gangnam. That’s because Seongsu has become the trendsetting district for Korea’s latest fashion, cafés, and restaurants. Naturally, eating at Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang—the most famous Korean restaurant in Seongsu—has become a must-do experience.

I visited Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang at the end of last summer. I had confidently promised an American friend, who had never tried gamjatang before, that I would give him a “life-changing” experience. We met in Seongsu around lunchtime. Since the restaurant does not take reservations, you must wait in line for a table. Luckily, we arrived just after the lunch rush when most of the Chinese tour groups had already left, so we only waited about five minutes before being seated.

The menu at Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang is remarkably simple — they serve only one dish: gamjatang. You just choose whether you want to enjoy it as a shared hot pot (jeongol-style) or as individual bowls. However, if you want to finish your meal with fried rice, you must order the jeongol-style hot pot. That’s why I highly recommend choosing the gamjatang jeongol option.

The hot pot comes in three sizes:

• Large (4 servings)

• Medium (3 servings)

• Small (2 servings)

You simply pick the portion size that matches your group. Since there were two of us, we ordered the Small (2 servings).

In Korean dining culture, people often ladle soup and meat into each other’s bowls, sharing warmth and affection through food — a beautiful reflection of Korea’s sense of community. 

A photo taken after ordering the small-size Gamjatang at Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang

A photo taken after ordering the small-size Gamjatang at Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang

A photo taken after ordering the small-size Gamjatang at Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang

A photo taken after ordering the small-size Gamjatang at Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang

A photo capturing the bubbling Gamjatang hot pot as it boils

A close-up photo of the simmered pork backbone in the Gamjatang

One of the best things about Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang is its incredible speed — you’ll never have to wait more than two minutes after ordering. The food arrives at your table almost instantly, piping hot and ready to enjoy.

The mustard-based dipping sauce served as a default condiment focuses more on deep umami flavor than spiciness, leaving a beautifully balanced sweet-and-salty finish on your palate. As for the side dishes, the kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and baechu kimchi (napa cabbage kimchi) offer a pleasant tanginess that pairs perfectly with the rich broth. You’ll also find a nostalgic touch — sliced cucumbers and green chili peppers served with ssamjang, reminiscent of the simple yet satisfying snacks once served at old-school Korean street stalls. These, too, make for great drinking companions.

The pork backbone in the gamjatang hot pot is already fully cooked, so you can eat it right away. However, for the best flavor, it’s recommended to turn on the gas stove and let the broth come to a gentle boil. Once it starts bubbling lightly, dip the tender meat into the warm, savory broth — that’s when it tastes its best.

Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang uses 100% domestically sourced pork backbone and prepares the broth fresh daily, ensuring consistency and depth of flavor. The soup is simmered for over six hours, creating a rich, milky broth with almost no excess oil but an exceptionally clean, savory finish. Compared to most gamjatang, this version is less salty, with a smooth, velvety texture that makes it ideal even for a hangover meal.

The pork backbone itself has a distinct grain and is generously meaty. The meat is tender enough to fall off the bone, yet still springy and juicy, showing it wasn’t overcooked. There’s virtually no pork odor, thanks to the pre-boiling and rinsing process before being reintroduced into the broth. The potatoes are perfectly soft yet still hold their shape, while the cooked napa greens and perilla leaves infuse the broth with deep earthiness and a gentle herbal aroma — the essence of comfort in a bowl.

A photo showing fried rice being prepared in the leftover broth of the Gamjatang hot pot

The fried rice soaked in Gamjatang broth has a moist interior while the outside of each grain is crispy

Once you’ve finished all the pork bones in your Gamjatang hot pot, don’t forget to order fried rice (bokkeumbap) — it’s the grand finale of the meal. When you place your order, a staff member comes over to your table and begins the ritual: they remove the remaining meat and ingredients from the pot, leaving just a small amount of the rich, concentrated broth. Then, they add a bowl of rice, crushed seaweed flakes, diced kimchi, a spoonful of their special seasoning, and a drizzle of sesame oil before skillfully mixing and frying everything together with a spatula.

As the rice absorbs the deeply condensed pork bone flavors and spicy seasoning from the broth, it starts to transform. At first, it looks a bit soft, but as it’s pressed and stirred over the flame, the grains become delightfully chewy and separate — while the aroma of toasted rice and sesame fills the air. The sizzling sound alone is enough to make your mouth water.

The result is a perfectly balanced fried rice that’s savory, slightly spicy, and packed with umami. The subtle sea scent from the seaweed flakes blends harmoniously with the smokiness of the broth, while the kimchi’s crisp texture adds a refreshing contrast. Every spoonful bursts with layers of flavor — the richness of pork bone stock, the mild heat of chili, and the earthy nuttiness of sesame oil.

And then there’s the best part — the crispy, golden crust that forms on the bottom of the pot, known as nurungji. This crunchy section is what many regulars call the “hidden gem” of Soomunnan Seongsu Gamjatang. Some customers even admit they come just for the fried rice rather than the soup itself. It’s not greasy at all, just perfectly toasty, leaving your palate satisfied but not heavy.

Finishing a hearty pot of gamjatang with this fragrant, golden fried rice is the ultimate way to complete the experience — a soulful finale that captures the true essence of Korean comfort food. 

A photo of the Gamjat-guk Meal, served in individual earthenware bowls, perfect for one person

A photo of the Gamjat-guk Meal, served in individual earthenware bowls, perfect for one person

A photo of the Gamjat-guk Meal, served in individual earthenware bowls, perfect for one person

A photo of the Gamjat-guk Meal, served in individual earthenware bowls, perfect for one person

A photo of a Japanese woman picking up pork spine bones from the gamjatang and enjoying the tender meat

A photo of a Japanese woman picking up pork spine bones from the gamjatang and enjoying the tender meat

If you’re dining alone, I highly recommend the Gamja-guk meal set. It tastes exactly the same as the Gamjatang hot pot — the only difference is that it’s served in an individual earthenware bowl (ttukbaegi) for one person. The portion is just right for a solo meal and includes one bowl of steamed rice. Start by enjoying the tender pork meat from the bones, then mix the remaining broth with rice for a comforting, hearty finish.

There’s actually a personal reason why Gamjatang holds a special place in my heart. When I was in middle school, my mother underwent surgery for cancer. During that time, my father and I took turns caring for her — I stayed with her during the day, and he came at night. Nowadays, most university hospitals have food courts inside their buildings, but back then, that wasn’t the case. I had to find a small nearby restaurant for a quick and simple meal between caregiving hours. That’s when I first tried Ppyeo-haejangguk, the single-serving version of Gamjatang.

Until that moment, I was just a kid who loved burgers, pizza, fried chicken, and pork cutlets. But that first bowl of rich, savory broth — deeply flavored with pork bones and perilla seeds — completely changed my idea of what good food was. It was warm, soulful, and comforting, like a meal that hugged you from the inside out. That experience marked the beginning of my lifelong love for Gamjatang and perhaps, my first step toward having a more mature palate. 

I’ve been a regular at Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang since 2005, and even after twenty years, the flavor has remained exactly the same — which is why it’s still my all-time favorite Gamjatang restaurant. Over the years, I’ve shared many bowls of Gamjatang here with women I’ve dated — from chic, fashionable types to elegant, refined ones. You see, women often want to look their best in front of someone they like, so they tend to prefer neat, easy-to-eat dishes. But Gamjatang is not that kind of meal. You have to use your hands to pick the tender meat from between the pork bones, so it can get a little messy. That’s why most Korean women hesitate to order Gamjatang on a date. Yet, every woman I’ve dated has eaten Gamjatang with me — and for that, I feel deeply grateful. It makes me believe they truly cared about me. 

Here’s a little-known fact: Soomoonnan Seongsu Gamjatang allows wine corkage. You’ll just need to bring your own glasses. And surprisingly, Gamjatang pairs beautifully with red wine, especially Malbec. Once your order arrives, grab a pair of chopsticks and twist them between the thick pork bones — you’ll hear a satisfying crack as the bone splits open, revealing the soft inner meat. This part is a delicacy, richer than the outer flesh. During the slow simmering process, the bone marrow and collagen melt and infuse the surrounding meat, giving it incredible depth of flavor. That’s why the meat clinging to the bone is the best part. 

I like to take a small piece, savor it gently on my tongue, and let the umami unfold slowly before taking a sip of Malbec. The bold tannins coat the palate, followed by subtle notes of dark chocolate and soft leather that linger beautifully. For a moment, I close my eyes — and it feels as if I’m sitting in the middle of a sun-drenched vineyard in Argentina, eating a steaming bowl of Gamjatang. It’s an unexpected harmony between Korean soul food and fine wine — and one of life’s quietly perfect pleasures. 

Recommended Menu Picks

For first-time visitors, these menu items are highly recommended: 

1. 감자탕(Gamjatang) – Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang is recommended because its rich, umami-packed pork spine broth and tender, flavorful meat deliver an authentic, comforting Korean soul food experience. 

2. 감자국 식사(Gamjat-guk Meal) – Gamjat-guk Meal is recommended because it offers the same rich, savory flavors of gamjatang in a convenient single-serving portion, perfect for solo diners. 

Final Verdict

If you’re in Seoul and craving authentic Korean gamjatang, Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang in Seongsu-dong is an unmissable destination. This iconic restaurant has been perfecting its rich, umami-packed pork spine broth since 1983, delivering tender, juicy meat and a comforting, deeply flavorful soup. Whether you share the gamjatang hotpot with friends or enjoy a solo serving, finishing with the perfectly fried rice elevates the experience to a full Korean culinary journey. Loved by locals and international visitors alike, it’s a true Seoul dining gem for anyone seeking traditional Korean soul food.

💡 Pro Tip: Order the gamjatang hotpot for 2 or more if you plan to enjoy the signature fried rice at the end—it’s the ultimate way to soak up the concentrated broth flavors. For wine lovers, bringing your own red wine and using the restaurant’s corkage service perfectly complements the tender pork and savory broth, turning your meal into an elevated Korean comfort food experience. 

Suggested Reading

Seongsu Tour Guide (Google Map)

Compiled by a Korean hotel expert, here’s a curated list of must-visit restaurants and iconic spots in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong. Check out the list and plan your ultimate trip.

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