Dorabowl Anguk Review 2026: Seoul's Best Soup Curry Spot

For Sunday lunch, my friend and I met up in Anguk,

and as we were thinking about grabbing a casual bite,

we decided to check out Dorabowl Anguk,

a spot I'd often seen pop up as a must-try soup curry restaurant in Seoul.

Seoul's Must-Visit Soup Curry Spot

Dorabowl: The Waiting Game

First off, Dorabowl originally started in Busan

and now boasts five locations across the country.

The Dorabowl branch I visited was none other than

Dorabowl Anguk, nestled in Jongno-gu!

They open at 11:30 AM, and even though I arrived around

11:20 AM, there was already a line forming...🫢

I was genuinely surprised by how long it was!

Dorabowl, which began its journey as a soup curry gem

in Nampo-dong, Busan, back in 2017, is quite special.

It's truly a space crafted by a mother and son working together.

I found their philosophy, 'food for a son, and a dish for a mother,'

truly touching and memorable.

The interior of Dorabowl Anguk also really charmed me

with its calm ambiance, beautifully accented by vibrant green tiles.

There were about 10 groups ahead of me, but luckily,

I managed to snag a table right as they opened their doors!

For anyone planning a weekend lunch visit, I highly recommend

arriving a bit earlier than their 11:30 AM opening time – maybe 15 minutes –

to queue up. That way, you're more likely to be seated with the very first wave of diners!

Seoul's Soup Curry Sensation

Dorabowl: The Menu

At Dorabowl, the menu revolves around their incredible soup curries;

all you need to do is pick your favorite toppings.

Your main choices include

vegetables, chicken, Iberico pork,

seafood, or savory minced beef!

I went for the Chicken and 17 Kinds of Daily Vegetables.

(Price: ~$12)

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You can also customize your spice level from 1 to 6.

My friend and I both opted for

level 1, which they describe as similar to the kick of Shin Ramyun.

Since extra toppings were an option,

my friend decided on mozzarella cheese,

while I added some delightful chickpeas to mine!

Overall, the Anguk branch of Dorabowl really impressed me

with its wonderfully calm and comfortable atmosphere.

They offered a variety of seating options,

from cozy bar tables perfect for 1-2 people

and charming round tables,

to spacious window-side tables ideal for larger groups.

It's said that the fantastic background music (BGM) at Dorabowl is a curated selection

by renowned pop columnist Kim Tae-hoon!

Plus, the restroom is conveniently located inside the restaurant

and was super clean – always a good sign!

Seoul's Best Soup Curry Spot

My Dorabowl Review

After about a 10-minute wait,

my eagerly anticipated soup curry arrived!

I went with the menu item:

Chicken and 17 Kinds of Daily Vegetables,

opting for Spiciness Level 1.

The moment it arrived,

what immediately grabbed my attention was

the incredible visual – a vibrant array of various vegetables,

just as the name promised, piled high!

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From familiar favorites like cabbage, corn, eggplant, pumpkin,

sweet potato, potato, and broccoli to even harder-to-find delights such as

okra, baby corn, and green beans –

it was a true vegetable feast!

The chicken was incredibly tender,

stew-like, and practically melted in my mouth.

The soup, lighter and cleaner than traditional curry,

felt more like a comforting broth that I just couldn't stop spooning up.

It was surprisingly flavorful yet not at all heavy –

an absolutely perfect match for the rice!

I picked Spiciness Level 1,

which was described as being similar to Shin Ramyun –

but honestly, it was surprisingly not very spicy at all!

It's definitely mild enough for anyone who isn't a fan of super spicy food,

allowing you to fully appreciate the authentic, rich flavors of the soup curry.

A perfect choice!

If you're not big on intense spice and it's your first time here,

I highly recommend going for Level 1.

My friend opted for the

extra mozzarella cheese topping,

and instead of being mixed into the curry,

the cheese was delightfully served on top of the rice, just like this!

Overall, Dorabowl truly impressed me with its clean, healthy,

and utterly delicious soup curry.

The wait was absolutely worth it for such a satisfying culinary experience!

​

But fair warning: if you happen to miss the first seating,

you might be in for a significant wait.

So, if you're planning a weekend lunch visit, I highly recommend doing an 'open run'

– getting there right when they open! :)

​

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Dorabowl Soup Curry

Wellness Archive Index

A deeply flavorful soup curry, enjoyed with 18 kinds of vegetables.

Before Travel (Expectation): ★★★

During Travel (Experience): ★★★★

After Travel (Memory): ★★★★

*What is the Wellness Archive Index?