Gaboo Tojongdak Sokcho Review: Sizzling Jajangmyeon
Discover Gaboo Tojongdak in Sokcho, where a local chicken joint accidentally became the ultimate hotspot for sizzling stone-plate Jajangmyeon.
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Discover Gaboo Tojongdak in Sokcho, where a local chicken joint accidentally became the ultimate hotspot for sizzling stone-plate Jajangmyeon.
80-minute wait during the busy holiday weekend
Both the Sizzling Jajangmyeon and Tangsuyuk are absolutely worth it
I would gladly wait up to 60 minutes again (as long as it's not freezing winter or peak summer!)
Hey everyone, it's Bamkki!
I recently took a trip to Sokcho and found a spot you absolutely have to add to your itinerary.
With another long weekend coming up in 2026, here is my top Sokcho restaurant recommendation!
The sign says Gaboo Tojongdak (which means "native chicken"), but trust me—this is a legendary Jajangmyeon spot!
Gaboo Tojongdak (가보오토종닭) |
📍 32 Haksapyeong-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
⏱️ Daily 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays) *Closes early when ingredients run out
🅿️ Parking lot behind the restaurant (parking attendants on site)
💰 Seafood Sizzling Stone Plate Jajang & Gaboo Jjamppong: ~$7 each / Tangsuyuk (Sweet & Sour Pork): Mini ~$10, Regular ~$16
✅ Originally a local chicken restaurant that unexpectedly became a legendary Jajangmyeon spot because their noodles were just too good...
✅ Served on a sizzling stone plate so the noodles stay piping hot and never get soggy! Plus, the crispy Tangsuyuk is a must-order.
1. Location & Parking
📍 Gaboo Tojongdak
32 Haksapyeong-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Gaboo Tojongdak is located right off the Sokcho IC
on the Donghae Expressway, making it super easy to access.
It's also incredibly close to Sono Belle Del Pino resort,
which is perfect for travelers staying in that area.
That was exactly our plan too!
Haha.
We checked in early at our resort and headed straight here.
My father-in-law had visited this place before,
and it's already highly famous on social media for its wait times.
It's highly amusing that a place named after "native chicken"
is actually famous for sizzling stone-plate black bean noodles.
The parking lot is located right behind the restaurant,
and you can also park along the nearby road.
The parking attendants do a great job directing traffic.
2. The Weekend Wait for Sizzling Jajangmyeon
To queue up at Gaboo Tojongdak, you just need to
enter your phone number into the kiosk located at the entrance.
You'll find the kiosk right where the crowd is gathered near the entrance.
They have set up a large tent next to the building,
allowing you to wait comfortably out of the direct sun.
We arrived on Saturday at 12:45 PM and finally
got seated just before 2:00 PM. That's about an
80-minute wait time.
(There were about 20 to 30 parties ahead of us when we registered.)
3. Menu & Inside the Restaurant
The table turnover is actually quite fast,
largely because they have an annex building with plenty of seating.
Behind the main road-facing building, there is a separate annex.
This space alone easily accommodates 40 to 50 guests.
The self-serve bar features seasoned radish strips, yellow pickled radish, onions, and black bean paste.
Though not pictured, they also offer free rice!
You can grab a bowl to mix into your leftover Jajang sauce later.
Gaboo Tojongdak Menu
The main star here is the Seafood Sizzling Stone Plate Jajang (available in mild or spicy).
They also serve Gaboo Jjamppong and crispy Tangsuyuk in two sizes—a beautifully simple menu.
For our party of four, we ordered:
One Gaboo Jjamppong, one Mild Sizzling Jajang,
two Spicy Sizzling Jajangs, and a mini Tangsuyuk.
4. Our Honest Review
Interestingly, instead of standard cabbage kimchi, they serve seasoned radish strips (mu-chae).
The crisp, slightly sweet radish pairs incredibly well with the Jajangmyeon!
The speed at which the food is served
definitely helps keep the line moving fast.
All of our dishes arrived at almost the exact same time,
so we could all dig in together!
I focused mainly on the Spicy Seafood Sizzling Jajang.
This isn't just standard Jajangmyeon with a dash of chili powder.
As someone who loves spicy food, I found the heat level
highly satisfying and genuinely spicy.
Because the stone plate keeps the dish incredibly hot,
it felt even spicier than standard spicy instant black bean noodles.
By comparison, the Mild Seafood Sizzling Jajang had a much sweeter profile.
Because the stone plate retains heat until your very last bite,
the noodles never get cold or soggy. It's fantastic! 🩷
Seriously, this Tangsuyuk is the ultimate game-changer.
Even though we ordered the mini size (~$10), the portion was incredibly generous.
The batter is light and thin, so you get to taste the quality of the pork.
The thinly sliced raw onions on top add a refreshing crunch to the pork.
Everyone at our table kept raving about it!
Finally, the Jjamppong. It uses the same fresh, abundant seafood
as the Jajangmyeon, and the red broth is deeply satisfying and clean.
If you're visiting in a group, I highly recommend ordering one
to share as a palate cleanser between bites of sweet Jajang.
To finish it off, we mixed a bowl of free rice into the remaining sauce! 😋
You can see how much seafood is still left even at the end, right?
They definitely do not skimp on the premium seafood toppings here.
That wraps up my weekend review of the famous sizzling stone-plate Jajangmyeon at Gaboo Tojongdak in Sokcho!
Curious about other incredible food spots in Sokcho?
Sokcho Tourist Fishery Market Food Guide: Rice-based Kkwabaegi Twists
Sokcho Grilled Clams: Unlimited Seafood Feast at Bali Jogae
Goseong Makguksu Review: Buckwheat Noodles & Potato Pancakes
It is open daily from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and closes early if ingredients run out. It is closed every Wednesday.
You register for the waitlist by entering your number into the kiosk in front of the store. Based on a visit on a Saturday at 12:45 PM, the wait time was about 80 minutes.
The Seafood Stone Plate Jjajang costs ~$7, and you can choose between a mild or spicy flavor. It is served on a hot stone plate, so the food stays warm and the noodles do not get soggy until you finish your meal.
Rice is provided for free at the restaurant's self-serve bar, so there is no need to order it separately. After finishing the jjajangmyeon, you can mix the rice with the leftover sauce.
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