Sokcho Restaurants Guide 2026: Local Food Gems
Discover the best local Sokcho restaurants. From spicy red crab to legendary egg tarts, these 5 handpicked spots offer a true taste of Korea's coastal gem.
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Discover the best local Sokcho restaurants. From spicy red crab to legendary egg tarts, these 5 handpicked spots offer a true taste of Korea's coastal gem.
The Ultimate Sokcho Local Food Guide
Looking for the real flavors of Sokcho? Here is a list of my favorite local spots that I keep coming back to.
These are 100% unsponsored, authentic recommendations from my frequent trips to Gangwon Province.
Sokcho Food Journey
Words & Photos by Gyoni
📍 Yuramseon Yasik
215 Seorakgeumgangdaegyo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 11:00 AM ~ 1:00 AM
Closed every Tuesday
If you want to experience Sokcho like a true local, Yuramseon Yasik is an absolute must-visit.
Unlike tourist-heavy spots, this place boasts a genuine, lively neighborhood vibe.
When I took a taxi here, the driver asked how I even found out about it, boasting that it's his favorite go-to spot! :)
My absolute favorite dish here is the Spicy Seasoned Red Crab (Hongge Muachim).
It's the perfect balance of sweet crab meat and a savory, spicy marinade that pairs beautifully with both hot rice and cold beer.
Once you try this addictive flavor, you'll definitely be planning your next trip back.
Another highlight of this spot is the outdoor street-style seating (Yajang).
Sitting outside with a cool sea breeze, enjoying spicy red crab and a cold beer—that's what a perfect vacation evening feels like.
📍 Gobau Wanggogeum Saenggui
1F, 37 Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 12:00 PM ~ 10:00 PM
Closed on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month
Who says you can only eat seafood in Sokcho? Sometimes, you just crave a good old-fashioned Korean Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal).
When that craving hits, this is the place to go. It's a guaranteed hit.
If this restaurant were near my house, I would be a weekly regular!
Introduced to me by a local, the meat quality here is absolutely top-tier.
The venue is clean, the side dishes are delicious, and the pork is remarkably juicy and flavorful compared to your average BBQ joint.
Normally, my husband and I easily polish off three portions of meat. But here, a single portion is a generous 7 oz (200g), so two portions were perfectly satisfying.
Don't skip the Yeolmu Somyeon (Cold Young Radish Noodles) for dessert. The tangy, icy broth perfectly cuts through the richness of the pork.
With incredibly friendly staff and a clean dining area, this is an excellent choice for family dinners too.
📍 Sokcho Saengdaegu
14 Yeonglanghaean 3-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 8:30 AM ~ 8:00 PM (Break Time: 2:30 PM ~ 5:00 PM)
Closed every Tuesday
Highly recommended for those who appreciate clean, delicate, and comforting flavors.
I usually prefer spicy, bold red soups over clear stews, but this fresh cod soup completely changed my mind.
Who knew a clear broth (Jiri) could taste this incredibly rich, clean, and refreshing?
No wonder they have consistently earned the prestigious Blue Ribbon Survey badge (Korea's Michelin equivalent) every year since 2017.
Even the side dishes are stellar—the herring roe (cheong-eo-al) and spicy braised pollack (kodari) are absolute rice thieves.
The cod soup is topped with a mountain of fresh water dropwort (minari), adding a wonderful herbal aroma to the pot.
With its tender, melt-in-your-mouth cod fish and deeply soothing broth, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
📍 Abai Hoe Guksu
115-12 Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 9:30 AM ~ 7:00 PM (Break Time: 3:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM)
Closed every Tuesday
This is a legendary local spot famous for its spicy noodles topped with a mountain of fresh sashimi.
Expect a wait on weekends. I put my name down on the waitlist at 9:00 AM and was seated around 11:00 AM—and yes, it was absolutely worth the wait!
Once you write your name on the list, the owner will give you an estimated time to return, so you don't have to stand in line the whole time.
Our go-to order is always two bowls of raw fish noodles (Hoe Guksu) and one plate of stuffed squid (Ojingeo Sundae).
The sashimi used in the noodles is "sekkoshi" style, meaning it contains very fine, soft edible bones. It adds a nice crunchy texture that locals love.
The stuffed squid sundae is a classic regional specialty that rounds out the spicy noodles perfectly.
Here is the ultimate pro-tip: Save some of the leftover spicy sashimi sauce. Order a bowl of white rice and ask the staff for seaweed flakes (Gim-garu) to mix it all together. It's an incredible DIY raw fish bibimbap!
📍 Macao Park
4 Jungang-ro 129beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
As a self-proclaimed pastry fanatic, I can confidently say Macao Park serves the best egg tarts in Korea.
I've tried famous egg tarts all over the country, but this small shop in Sokcho remains my undisputed number one.
The pastry is incredibly flaky and shatteringly crisp, filled with a rich, silky custard that isn't overly sweet. They taste amazing warm, but are also incredible when eaten cold or slightly frozen!
While they do keep some stock for walk-ins, time is precious when you are traveling. I highly recommend reserving yours in advance.
⭐️ How to Book Your Macao Park Egg Tarts
Reservations are accepted only on the day before your pickup!
Send a text message to: 010-6488-3102
Booking lines are open from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Weekend slots fill up incredibly fast, so I always send my text right at 6:00 AM sharp.
Make sure to include: Pickup Date / Pickup Time / Order Quantity
Even with a reservation, you might wait in a short queue at the door as they let customers in one by one based on arrival.
I bought three boxes on my last trip to share with friends, and I deeply regret not buying more for myself!
Next time you visit Sokcho, skip the generic tourist spots and treat yourself to these incredible local culinary gems! :)
The recommended menu at Yuramseon Yasik is the spicy seasoned red snow crab, which features a combination of sweet crab meat and spicy sauce. The opening hours are from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, and it is closed every Tuesday.
At Gobau Wangsogeum Saenggui, one serving of meat is 200g, so ordering just two servings is enough for two people. For a side dish, we recommend the cold young radish kimchi noodles (Yeolmu Somyeon), which are sweet, sour, and refreshing, helping to cut through the greasiness of the meat.
The raw fish used in Abai Hoe Guksu's noodles is sliced with the bones (sekoshi), so you can feel a slight crunch from the bones. After finishing the noodles, it is highly recommended to order a bowl of rice, ask for some seaweed flakes, and mix them into the remaining sauce.
Egg tarts at Macau Park can only be reserved via text message between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the day before pickup. When making a reservation, you must accurately include the pickup date, pickup time, and order quantity in your message.
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