Maru Dak Gomtang

About

Cozy Jeonnong-dong neighborhood eatery serving generous bowls of shredded chicken gomtang, rich chicken kalguksu, and spicy dakgaejang.

Marked by a bold red sign along a quiet stretch of Jeonnong-dong near Cheongnyangni, Maru Dakgomtang feels unassuming from the curb. The opaque street-facing windows conceal the interior, but stepping inside reveals a surprisingly deep dining room. Low ceilings give the clean, orderly layout of two- and four-top tables a snug, neighborhood feel, where framed food photos line the walls and neighbors pop in to pick up dinner for their families. Chicken is the unmistakable focus. The namesake *dakgomtang* arrives boiling hot, delivering clean poultry broth over finely shredded meat. Diners season their bowls at the table with pepper and salt before tipping in whole bowls of white rice. For noodle lovers, the *dakkalguksu* is an equally popular draw, served in expansive portions. Its broth is thick with starch, evoking a rustic *teollaengi* style that clings to the noodles and ribbons of hand-torn chicken. Those seeking heat lean toward the *dakgaejang*, bubbling aggressively in an earthenware crock with abundant vegetables and shredded chicken infused in a crimson broth that tastes like a fiery, seasoned twist on the house chicken stock. The menu also occasionally features savory seafood *pajeon* alongside an unexpected offering of kimchi *jjigae*. The banchan spread proves why a kimchi stew might make the roster. The house *baechu-kimchi* is fully ripe with a refreshing, crisp crunch rather than the unfermented *geotjeori* typical of noodle shops, matched with sweet *seokbakji*-style cubed radish kimchi and savory stir-fried fish cakes (*eomuk bokkeum*). Fresh, sweet green peppers often accompany the soup bowls, offering raw crunch between spoonfuls. Whether dropping in for a quick, warming lunch or pulling up a chair after work for a comforting noodle bowl alongside beer or makgeolli, Maru Dakgomtang delivers dependable, soul-thawing comfort.