doganitang at samcheongdong

Hearty Ox Knee Soup in Samcheong-dong

"Doganitang" or ox knee soup with riceBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Only a few years ago, Samcheong-dong was a quiet, residential neighborhood. Now, its main street is always filled with cars and sidewalks crowded with people who want to check out the quaint boutiques, fancy restaurants and cafes.

In the maze of side streets in Samcheong-dong, one can still find traces of the old neighborhood, where family-owned shops and small restaurants continue to thrive.

Buyoung Doganitang, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, has been serving doganitang or Korean beef and ox knees soup for the past 50 years. Don't let the unassuming exterior of the tiny restaurant or the mental image

of ox knees turn you off. Once you give doganitang a try, you just might like it.

The owner, a grandmotherly figure, warmly greeted us as we entered the place. It's one of those places where you instantly feel at home, maybe because of the owner's warm reception or the small space. There are only five small tables inside the room, but it is surprisingly not cramped.

We ordered doganitang (7,000 won), which is the restaurant's signature dish. After a few minutes, two bowls of piping hot soup are served, along with separate bowls of rice. There are no side dishes except for ggagduki kimchi (cubed radish kimchi), gochujang (red pepper paste) and freshly sliced garlic.

The doganitang broth looks cloudy white with floating pieces of green onions. As we dig in, our spoons are filled with bite-sized pieces of beef. Incidentally, a small sign on the wall assures diners they only serve Korean beef. The beef is tender and easily dissolves in the mouth.

The broth itself is rich and tasty, but adding a dash of salt and pepper brings out the beefy flavor even more. Doganitang is normally eaten with rice, either on the side or placed in with the soup. The ggagduki is a perfect complement to the beef and rice, since it adds a crunchy and spicy kick.

Doganitang seems similar to the popular seolleongtang or beef bone soup, but the former has a heartier and fuller taste.

Since the restaurant is quite tiny, make sure to go early to avoid the lunch hour crowd. To find the restaurant, go along the main road of Samcheong-dong, and turn right at the street after Kraze Burger and Maple Tree House. Walk for 50 meters and you'll find the restaurant on your right. The restaurant is open every day.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr