Geodae Gomtang Haeundae Review 2026: The Ultimate Rich Korean Beef Soup

My friend had this spot on her Busan wishlist, so we absolutely had to visit Geodae Gomtang Haeundae branch.

Everyone raved about how famous it was, but honestly, before I took my first spoonful, I was thinking, "How rich can a beef bone soup really be?" But one taste, and I was instantly a believer!

It tasted just like the incredible gomtang my grandfather used to simmer for days in a traditional cauldron back in the countryside.

This place is known for its long lines, but we were smart! Instead of just showing up, we used the Catchtable app to get a remote waiting ticket in advance.

At a Glance

Waiting Game

We put our names down on Catchtable for remote waiting about 1 hour and 30 minutes before we planned to arrive. We got to the restaurant when there were still about 10 teams ahead of us.

This was around 3:54 PM, and even after arriving, we still waited for approximately 40 more minutes.

But since we were right in the heart of Haeundae, we didn't just stand around. We popped over to OPS, a famous bakery right across the street, for a quick browse and a treat while we waited!

So, if I go again, I'd definitely still use Catchtable and allow plenty of time. I'd register well in advance and then explore the neighborhood until our turn is closer.

The Menu

Here's a look at their menu!

We ordered the Rich and Deeper Ppo-yan Gomtang for ~$18! A single bowl of gomtang for ~$18 initially made me gasp a little. But with a name like "rich and deeper," I figured if we were going to come all this way, we might as well try the richest version!

And then, completely oblivious to the surprise afternoon tea my friend H had planned, I impulsively added a half plate of North Korean-style Kimchi Handmade Dumplings (3 pieces) for ~$6. That's what we had!

You can read about the infamous afternoon tea here...

Paradise Busan Afternoon Tea | Diptyque Collaboration, Busan's Choi Sujong Girls' Surprise🤍✨blog.naver.com

The Ppo-yan Gomtang Experience

When it arrived, the broth was genuinely milky white and looked incredibly rich. But again, I thought, "How rich can it really be?" Well, it was genuinely rich! Much heavier and more profound than your typical milky beef bone soup!

It tasted like my grandfather had simmered it in a traditional cauldron for over two days in the countryside. Seriously, it's the kind of flavor that transports you straight to a rustic Korean village! This isn't just a trendy 'chon-kang-seu' (countryside vacation) experience; it's the taste of authentic, deep countryside beef bone soup.

There was also a generous amount of meat, and the kimchi was delicious, making the beginning of the meal absolutely joyful. While ~$18 isn't a cheap price for a bowl of soup, I didn't feel it was a wasted meal after tasting it.

The restaurant's guide mentioned that you could request it hotter or served 'toryeom' style (where hot broth is repeatedly poured over rice). However, even the standard serving was plenty hot for me.

That said, I'm generally not one for super rich foods like carbonara, makchang (grilled beef intestines), or gopchang (grilled beef tripe), so while I enjoyed it thoroughly, I did find it a little heavy towards the end.

This isn't a criticism of the gomtang itself, but rather my personal preference!

Dumplings & Dadaegi

Those kimchi handmade dumplings I ordered, completely unaware of the afternoon tea to come! A half plate was 3 pieces for ~$6.

And the soy sauce for dipping the meat and dumplings was incredibly delicious. I kept dipping both the meat and dumplings in it!

When the gomtang started to feel a bit heavy towards the end, I asked for dadaegi (a spicy condiment). I was expecting a red, seasoned paste, but it was actually finely chopped green chilies, like Cheongyang peppers!

I actually preferred this style. It didn't completely change the flavor of the broth but added a nice spicy kick from time to time, making it easier to finish. 🫶

Restrooms & Parking

The restrooms aren't directly inside the restaurant but located down the building's corridor. There's a sign inside the restaurant with directions and a password, so it's best to check it before you head out! The password might change, so confirm it on the day of your visit.

Exiting through the back door and turning left is the quickest way. If you go out the main entrance, it's a bit of a detour, haha.

For parking, you can use the Hyundai Benecity underground parking lot. The free parking details vary slightly across different platforms, but generally, it's 1 hour free on weekdays and 2 hours free on weekends (subject to change).

So, Is It Recommended? Or Not?

👍 Recommended

If you're like me and thought, "How rich can it really be?" you'll definitely be surprised by its unique, thick consistency when you actually try it.

🤔 Hmm... Maybe not for everyone

While I enjoyed it, I did find it a bit heavy towards the end. And ~$18 isn't exactly a light price for a meal, haha. Even with Catchtable remote waiting, we still had to wait around 40 minutes on-site.

Despite some minor drawbacks, I know this uniquely rich flavor will definitely call me back eventually.

Since I can't get my grandpa to cook me gomtang in a traditional cauldron anymore, I'll probably go back when I miss that comforting taste. Next time, I'll put my name down three hours in advance and explore more around Haeundae to minimize the wait!

That's all for today! Here are some final photos of Geodae Gomtang's ingredient origins and their magical cooking room, haha!