Currently located in Myeongdong, “Hadongkwan” is renowned as a beef soup restaurant. It started in Suha-dong, Cheonggyecheon in 1939 and has been operated for over 80 years, spanning three generations.
On June 1, 2007, due to the Cheonggyecheon Urban Redevelopment Project, the restaurant relocated to its current position at the entrance of Myeongdong, behind the Exchange Bank, and has been continuing its operation.
“Since 1939, Three Generations Upholding the Flavor: Hadongkwan”
Hadongkwan is known for its taste that has been passed down through three generations. The first generation, from 1939 to 1963, was led by Grandmother Ryu Chang-hee. The second generation, from 1964 to 1967, continued with Grandmother Hong Chang-rok. The third generation, from 1968 to the present, is led by Grandmother Kim Hee-young.
“Once the Most Famous Beef Soup Restaurant in Seoul”
Hadongkwan was once considered the most famous beef soup restaurant in Seoul, attracting large crowds. Its operating hours, from 7:00 AM to around 4:00 PM, were unique. However, it was more common for the restaurant to close before 4:00 PM due to running out of ingredients. During its peak, even if you visited at 1:00 PM, you might find the restaurant already closed.
Especially among the older generation, Hadongkwan was known as the epitome of a delicious beef soup restaurant. In the TV show “Three Meals a Day,” when actors Lee Seo-jin and Ok Taec-yeon tasted the beef soup they cooked, they both declared, “Better than Hadongkwan.” This demonstrates how Hadongkwan was particularly renowned among the older generation.
“A Restaurant Competing with Beef Soup and Braised Beef Menu”
Hadongkwan specializes in beef soup and braised beef. You won’t find any other menu items besides various versions of beef soup.
For a regular-sized beef soup, it costs 13,000 KRW, and for a special-sized one, it’s 15,000 KRW. Additionally, there are other menu options like “20 Gong” and “25 Gong.”
“20 Gong” refers to a menu costing 20,000 KRW, and “25 Gong” costs 25,000 KRW. These numbers indicate the amount of meat in the beef soup. The higher the number, the more meat is served. Apart from regular and special-sized beef soups, there are these additional options.
“Hadongkwan’s Special Terms like Ggakguk and Tongdak…”
As a restaurant that has been in business for a long time, Hadongkwan has unique terms that are only used in their establishment, such as Ggakguk (kimchi soup), Tongdak (whole chicken), and more.
- “Gong”: Refers to menu sizes like 20 Gong, 25 Gong, indicating the amount of meat in the beef soup increases with a higher number.
- “Naengsu”: Serving half a bottle of soju in a glass, not selling it by the bottle.
- “Ggakguk”: Pouring kimchi soup into the beef soup.
- “Tongdak”: Adding one cracked egg to the beef soup, incurring an additional cost of 500 KRW per egg (discontinued after the egg crisis in 2016).
- “Matbaegi”: A beef soup with slightly less rice but one or two more pieces of meat compared to a regular beef soup.
“Hadongkwan Recognized in the Michelin Guide and Bib Gourmand”
Hadongkwan is a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide and received the Bib Gourmand. With its long-standing history and well-deserved reputation, it’s indeed a restaurant worthy of recognition.
“While the Taste is Exceptional, the Price can be a Burden for a Beef Soup Restaurant”
The taste of beef soup at Hadongkwan lives up to its reputation. However, one might find the prices somewhat burdensome. Even after ordering the “special size” beef soup during this visit, it didn’t feel particularly generous in portion.
Perhaps, due to this, menus like “20 Gong” and “25 Gong” were created, surpassing the special size. Paying 20,000 or 25,000 KRW for a bowl of beef soup can be quite financially challenging.
Considering this, as the economy becomes more difficult, Hadongkwan might be losing some of its former glory compared to its heyday. (Of course, the business is still likely doing well, but it might not be the same as during its peak.)
If they can alleviate the financial burden, Hadongkwan could become a place where anyone can enjoy beef soup and potentially regain its former reputation.
“The Epitome of Beef Soup in Myeongdong, Seoul: Hadongkwan”
- Address: 12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Phone Number: 02-776-5656
- Operating Hours: (Mon-Sat) 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Website: http://www.hadongkwan.com