Gangneung Day Trip 2026: Top Bakeries & Local Food Tour
Craving authentic Korean flavors? Explore Gangneung's best bakeries, famous dakgangjeong, and spicy kalguksu on a delicious day trip. Perfect for foodies!
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Craving authentic Korean flavors? Explore Gangneung's best bakeries, famous dakgangjeong, and spicy kalguksu on a delicious day trip. Perfect for foodies!
When you think of a trip to Gangneung,
while the beautiful beaches are certainly a highlight,
even before our trip,
I was already thinking, 'What should we eat in Gangneung?'
That's where my research started, haha.
Gangneung offers so much to savor, from Jangkalguksu (spicy noodle soup) to Mulhoe (spicy raw fish soup), Dakgangjeong (sweet and sour fried chicken),
famous bakeries, and incredible coffee.
There was truly a long list of things I wanted to try!
Especially for a family trip with kids like ours,
instead of just hopping from one tourist spot to another,
Great Food → Sightseeing → Snacks → More Sights → Cafe
mixing in these delicious stops throughout the day
makes the day so much more enjoyable.
During our actual trip to Gangneung,
we thoroughly explored all the renowned spots.
Today, I'll be focusing on the places we’d love to revisit and
sharing our recommended food tour itinerary for Gangneung.
If you love bread, pay special attention!
We visited two bakeries alone, haha.
Gangneung Food Tour at a Glance
Here’s the order of places we visited:
Gangneung PANGDABANG → Jangan Hoejip → Bakery Garu →
Gallery Babs → Gangneung Dakgangjeong →
Gangneung Jungang Market Seongnam Kalguksu
📍 Gangneung PANGDABANG
24 Namgangchogyo 1-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Gangneung PANGDABANG
📍 Jangan Hoejip
51 Jinrihanggu-gil, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
📍 Bakery Garu
1F, 3 Sorol-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Bakery Garu
📍 Gallery Babs
82-7, 144 Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Gallery Babs
📍 Gangneung Dakgangjeong
1F, 66 Chodangwon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Starting with bread,
then Mulhoe (spicy raw fish soup),
buying more bread,
drinking Chodang Corn Coffee,
taking out Dakgangjeong (sweet and sour fried chicken),
and finally, Jangkalguksu (spicy noodle soup)!
Now that I list it out,
it really seems like our trip was all about eating, haha!
Of course, we didn't eat all of this at once!
We interspersed our meals with sightseeing spots like Ojukheon House and the beautiful sea.
I'll organize our family-friendly Gangneung activities itinerary
separately in Part 2.
Gangneung PANGDABANG
As a huge bread lover, the first place I headed to upon arriving in Gangneung was
Gangneung PANGDABANG.
If you search for 'Gangneung bread tour',
this is one of the spots that frequently pops up.
I wanted to avoid the wait,
so I rushed there as soon as we arrived,
but we still ended up waiting to get in.
But the wait was definitely worth it!
Their most famous menu item is
the Injeolmi Cream Bread.
Inside the chewy bread,
it's generously filled with Injeolmi cream and red bean paste,
making it surprisingly substantial!
If you love the savory, nutty flavor of Injeolmi,
this is definitely a must-add to your Gangneung bread tour.
Best of all, starting our trip with a bakery meant
we had snacks for the car
and could even pick up some bread to take home
right away, which was really convenient.
Popular breads can sell out if you go too late,
so if bread is your main goal, I recommend visiting a bit earlier.
Lunch: Jangan Hoejip's Gajaemi Mulhoe (Spicy Flatfish Soup)
After happily stocking up on bread,
it was time for a proper lunch, right?
While searching for famous restaurants in Gangneung,
the place we chose was Jangan Hoejip.
It's become even more famous after being featured on "Ttokganjip" (a popular TV show featuring re-visited restaurants).
Luckily, we arrived just before the waiting line formed,
so we were able to get in right away.
We didn't hesitate when ordering;
it was Gajaemi Mulhoe for everyone!
The Mulhoe was refreshingly sweet, sour, and cool,
perfect for a travel day.
What pleasantly surprised me, personally, was
the seaweed soup that came with it.
When you go to a raw fish restaurant with kids,
you often worry if there will be anything for them to eat,
but having the seaweed soup included was great.
My picky eater daughter
still talks about how delicious the Mulhoe at Jangan Hoejip was,
so that tells you everything, haha!
Second Stop on the Bread Tour: Bakery Garu
Having come all the way to Gangneung,
it would be a shame to visit just one bakery, wouldn't it?
Our second stop was
Bakery Garu.
The must-buy bread here is
the adorably named
Wonjun's Butt Bread!
It truly lives up to its name,
as soft and wonderfully fluffy as a baby's bottom! Haha.
For an authentic Gangneung Coffee experience, it's Gallery Bobs!
When you're in Gangneung,
it would practically be a crime to skip out on coffee, wouldn't it?
We were specifically looking for a unique coffee experience,
something you can only truly savor in Gangneung, and that led us straight to
Gallery Bobs.
This spot is famously known for its
Cho-ok-i Coffee, which uniquely incorporates Chodang corn!
It's so incredibly famous, I just had to know
what it tasted like for myself!
The aroma of corn is distinct,
and when you swirl it together with the coffee underneath,
you get this incredible blend of sweet and subtly bitter notes
that surprisingly harmonize perfectly. It's truly unique!
Honestly, I would have deeply regretted it
if I hadn't visited this place! It's an absolute must-try!!
Just a heads-up, because it's such a popular spot,
you might encounter a wait depending on the time of day,
and they also have a break time, so
make sure to double-check their operating hours before you go to avoid any disappointment!
Gangneung Dakgangjeong (Sweet & Crispy Fried Chicken)
Gangneung is also super famous for its Dakgangjeong,
you know! It's another local specialty you absolutely have to try!
Our original spot was completely sold out, so we decided to try
Gangneung Dakgangjeong as a backup plan!
And honestly? It turned out to be even better than we expected! What a happy accident!!
We tried their Corn Dakgangjeong and their Nurungji (scorched rice) Dakgangjeong.
It was so incredibly memorable that even our child kept talking about it long after our trip –
definitely one of the standout snacks!
We snacked on it constantly throughout our trip,
and what's even better, we packed some to bring home, and it was still delicious even when cold!
Proof of its amazing quality.
Our only regret was not buying more!
Jang-kalguksu (Spicy Noodle Soup) at Gangneung Jungang Market
After all that feasting,
we still managed to enjoy a hearty dinner!
Our final culinary stop was
Seongnam Kalguksu, nestled within Gangneung Jungang Market.
If you're in Gangneung,
trying Jang-kalguksu is an absolute must, wouldn't you agree?
When we visited,
there was quite a line, and we waited for about 20 minutes
to get in – a true testament to its popularity!
I usually associate Jang-kalguksu with
a thick, rich broth, but this place surprised me with its
wonderfully clear and distinct soup. It was a delightful twist!
Wow, laying it all out like this,
it really hits home just how much incredible food we devoured!
Bakery treats → Mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) → More bakery delights → Chodang Corn Coffee →
Dakgangjeong (sweet & crispy fried chicken) → Jang-kalguksu (spicy noodle soup)
But isn't this exactly what makes a trip to Gangneung
so incredibly fun and memorable?
Savoring all the famous local delicacies
and then unwinding with a perfect cup of coffee while soaking in the stunning sea views.
Between all these delightful culinary adventures,
we explored Ojukheon, strolled along Gangmun Beach, and admired the views at Anmok Beach,
making sure to pack our day with unforgettable experiences.
However, having experienced it firsthand,
I can tell you that fitting all these amazing sights and tastes into a single day,
especially with a child, was quite physically demanding!
That's why, if I get to visit again,
I'd definitely opt for a relaxed 1-night, 2-day trip
instead of trying to squeeze everything into a single day.
If you decide to book accommodation,
I'd suggest dedicating the first day to exploring the fantastic restaurants, charming bakeries, and historic Ojukheon,
then relaxing by the sea in the evening.
On the second day, you could leisurely explore beautiful Gangmun Beach and Anmok Beach.
Sounds like the perfect relaxed itinerary!
Many of Gangneung's best accommodations are
clustered around Gyeongpo and Gangmun Beaches, so
once you've locked in your travel dates,
be sure to compare prices and locations first to find your ideal stay!
🔽 Recommended Gangneung Accommodations: Features & Types 🔽
Hotel Name | Features | Recommended For |
Skybay Hotel | Gyeongpo Ocean View Staycation | First-time Gangneung visitors Couples Families |
St. John's Hotel | Gangmun Beach Large hotel Swimming pool Pet-friendly | Families with children Pet owners |
Shilla Monogram | Songjeong Beach New hotel | Those who prefer new hotels and clean facilities |
Jeongdongjin Sun Cruise | Ship-shaped hotel Jeongdongjin sunrise |
Parents
Family
Sunrise Trip
🔽 Check 1-Night Prices 🔽
(As of September 2, 2026)
Skybay Hotel
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St. John's Hotel
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Shilla Monogram
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In the upcoming Part 2,
we'll explore Gangneung's must-visit spots that I personally experienced with my child,
from Ojukheon House to Gangmun Beach and Anmok Beach.
This time, we'll focus purely on the sights and experiences, without diving into the delicious food!
Gangneung Pangdabang's famous menu item is Injeolmi Cream Bread. It features a chewy bread generously filled with Injeolmi cream and red beans, known for its rich and savory flavor.
Yes, Jangan Hoetjip serves seaweed soup (miyeokguk) along with its Gajaemi Mulhoe (spicy raw flatfish soup). This seaweed soup is popular with children and can be a good choice for families with kids.
At Gallery Babs, you can try Cho-ok-i Coffee, which uses Chodang corn. This coffee is characterized by its corn aroma and a sweet yet slightly bitter taste. It's advisable to check their operating hours before visiting, as there might be waiting times and break times.
The food tour course introduced in the article proceeded in the following order: Gangneung Pangdabang, Jangan Hoetjip, Bakery Garu, Gallery Babs, Gangneung Dakgangjeong (sweet and sour chicken), and Gangneung Jungang Market Seongnam Kalguksu (noodle soup). Tourist attractions like Ojukheon and the sea were also included between these food stops.
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