원조감자탕 일미집 홍대점 — Restaurant in Seoul

This is the best meal you’ll have in Seoul. It’s the soul in Seoul that you’ve been looking for this whole trip. (Solo dining ok!) They do one thing - and they do it deliciously well - pork neck soup. What a relief to visit an eatery without using QR codes or a tablet.

Just a few blocks away from Hongdae and you’ll get away from (most) of the tourists.

The loveliest people work here. No shouting, at least not from the staff, just people doing their jobs with dignity and quiet attention.

The boss is kind, earnest, and sincere. The chef steps out of the kitchen to help clear tables when she’s not tending to the oven. Everyone works in harmony.

But it is the aunty who is a wonder to watch. You’d think she was the boss from how she moves through the immaculate homey restaurant. It’s gives you the feeling of coming home and having your parents putter to feed you.

Come during busy dinner time and watch her work. She’s constantly in motion, never still, never forgetting where she left off. I stayed after I finishing my meal just to watch the team work. Six Sigma efficiency. I’ve dined all over the world and I’ve never seen any restaurant staff work so deliberately and beautifully.

A poem to the aunty:

Shuffle shuffle shuffle Halmeoni keeps moving Banchan, water, cups Plates, bowls, bones Water to fill Sauces to shake Shuffle shuffle shuffle Halmeoni keeps moving Wash, wipe, dry Plates, stack, more plates Takeout to wrap Look up and around Where is the boss Shuffle shuffle shuffle Halmeoni...

As a gamjatang lover, this place offer unique style broth for the soup. Unlike typical gamjatang, they offer clear broth base. Do not expect doenjang(bean paste) base. Clear and mild flavour gives you different taste experience. When you finish, bokumbap is a must. Ask for fried rice with your...

Had Gamjatang pork bone stew with my friends for dinner. The manager was really nice and attentive. Service was siper quick! They offered us bib to keep ourself tidy and got free rice with seaweed with our meal. The meal was really good we finished the whole pot with some...