[Seongsu-dong] Nungdong Minari: Ultimate Water Parsley & Beef Gomtang — Michelin-Recognized Seoul

The highlight of our stroll through Seongsu-dong was lunch at Nungdong Minari, arguably the neighborhood’s hottest table right now. The rumored queue was there, exactly as advertised — and then, thanks to a remarkably efficient system, we were seated almost before we had settled into waiting. A popular restaurant that does not make you suffer for its popularity: on a trip, that alone is worth something.

Index

A new Korean classic, built around minari
Seongsu-dong, running at full voltage
Notes for your visit
Nungdong Minari: FAQ

A new Korean classic, built around minari

We ordered the gomtang, which arrived buried under a vivid green landslide of minari — Korean water dropwort, the fragrant herb the restaurant is named after. Its clean, almost medicinal freshness plays against the deep, patient richness of slow-simmered beef, and the balance is close to perfect: never heavy, yet completely satisfying. If you are in Seoul, this is a bowl I would put in front of anyone.

What makes this soup special is the clarity of the broth. Where classic gomtang leans milky and opaque, here the long-extracted beef-bone depth has been finished almost translucent — one sip and the body simply recognizes it as the real thing. It is not hard to guess what the Michelin inspectors responded to: not spectacle, but this kind of unglamorous, meticulous care. The minari does the rest, cutting through the richness so cleanly that the last spoonful tastes as fresh as the first. Details and current listings can be found in the official Michelin Guide for Seoul, but the real value is eating it amid this particular din.

Seongsu-dong, running at full voltage

Stepping back outside, the streets had grown even livelier — pop-up stores from cosmetics brands, billboards art-directed within an inch of their lives. Simply walking here stimulates something creative in you. A superb bowl of soup and a neighborhood that refuses to stand still: taken together, they make Seongsu-dong an essential stop for understanding the Seoul of right now.

Notes for your visit

Nungdong Minari, Seongsu-dong — expect a queue, but turnover is fast
The signature order is the minari-topped gomtang; the herb doubles as a traditional medicinal green
Check the official Michelin Guide (Seoul) for current listing details and hours
Pair it with a walk through Seongsu’s pop-ups and galleries — the area rewards half a day

Nungdong Minari: FAQ

What is Nungdong Minari known for?

It is a Seongsu-dong restaurant celebrated for its beef gomtang crowned with a generous mound of minari (Korean water dropwort). The clean, herbal freshness set against a long-simmered, almost translucent beef broth is what earned it Michelin recognition. For the current listing and hours, check the official Michelin Guide (Seoul).

What exactly is minari?

Minari is Korean water dropwort, a fragrant herb that doubles as a traditional medicinal green. Piled onto the hot soup, it cuts through the richness so cleanly that the last spoonful tastes as fresh as the first.

Is there usually a long wait?

A queue is normal at peak times, but turnover is fast and the seating system is efficient, so the wait is rarely as painful as the line suggests. Arriving slightly off the main lunch and dinner rushes helps.

Where is it and how do I get there?

It is in Seongsu-dong, one of Seoul’s most dynamic neighborhoods, and pairs naturally with a half-day walk of the area. Please confirm the exact address, opening hours and any break times on the official or Michelin listing before you go.

What else is worth doing nearby?

Seongsu-dong rewards a slow stroll — brand pop-ups, galleries and cafes fill the backstreets — and it connects easily to other Seoul highlights for a full day out.

Visited in 2025. Menu, prices and details are as of my visit; please confirm the latest on the official site.