Janggi Sikdang 장기식당

A somori gomtang (ox head soup) specialist tucked inside Pohang's Jukdo Market, serving just two items: gomtang and suyuk (boiled beef). Rather than the opaque white broth most people picture, this restaurant's soup runs clear, closer to galbitang in appearance, a distinctive style whose flavor deepens with every spoonful. Ordering the special gomtang reveals a staggering volume of collagen-rich head meat and tender lean cuts, with solids making up nearly half the bowl. The head meat melts on the tongue, and the lean pieces are surprisingly soft. The toreum-style preparation keeps the broth at a comfortable eating temperature rather than scalding hot. Dipping the meat into the house pickled-onion condiment adds a sharp, satisfying kick, the signature move that defines this bowl. Kkakdugi is provided generously and pairs well with the soup. The suyuk arrives in thick, dice-cut slabs with a chewy texture and intense beefy aroma. Ordering suyuk comes with complimentary bowls of broth (two for medium, three for large), and the local trick is to add a separate order of rice and stir it into that broth. Despite using hanwoo beef, portions remain generous and the overall spread offers strong value, gomtang runs 13,000 won for small and 15,000 won for large. The restaurant closes around 6 p.m., and reports indicate a break time starting at 2 p.m., so lunchtime visits are safest. Weekend queues are long, and early sell-outs leading to premature closing are not uncommon. There is no on-site parking; the nearest option is a paid public lot nearby.