Food and travel writer, Thuy Bui, explores South Korea’s North Eastern coastline and national park.

*All* *images: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.*

My friends and I took a bus to Sokcho for yet another food adventure, following an amazing glamping experience in Gangneung.

It was raining in the morning, so as soon as we arrived in Sokcho, we headed straight to a cafe.

Breakfast at Aruna Café, Sokcho

Aruna Cafe, situated at Sokcho Beach, beckoned us with its Instagram-worthy ambiance and delectable offerings. It’s a seaside gem boasting a panoramic ocean view and a rooftop.

While the rain precluded any scenic snapshots, our taste buds were treated to a medley of coffee blends, beverages, and a variety of egg tarts and cheesecakes, each bursting with unique flavours.

Location:

Aruna
85, Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
IG coffee_aruna

Opens daily from 9AM —7PM
Tuesday close is 5PM

*Caffé latte, matcha latte, chai latte, americano (hot and cold) chocolate cheesecake, corn egg tart, original egg tart.*

Lunch at Chungchosoo Mulhoe & Seopguk

Nestled in the heart of Sokcho lies Chungchosoo Mulhoe & Seopguk, a casual eatery renowned for its signature dish: mul-hoe — a cold and spicy raw fish soup unique to the region. As a Sokcho specialty, mul-hoe beckons both locals and tourists alike to indulge in its tantalising flavours.

Upon arrival, I suggested securing a lakeside table for the ultimate dining experience. For larger groups, like mine, ask if they’re able to accommodate a large party, otherwise consider splitting into smaller dining groups.

Despite its popularity, the wait for the restaurant is surprisingly short, especially during lunch hours; my friends and I waited only 10-15 minutes, choosing to soak in the picturesque view while anticipating our meal.

Before diving into the mul-hoe, make sure to thoroughly mix the ingredients and use any noodles or rice to soak up every last bit of the cold, spicy broth.

For the adventurous palate, the sea urchin bibimbap offers a unique twist, but be prepared for a slightly bitter taste — a characteristic our knowledgeable waiter kindly informed us about. To balance flavours, I recommend sampling the bibimbap before indulging in the sweetness of the mul-hoe.

Of everything we ordered, the abalone rice porridge was my personal favourite. Its rich and nutty flavour gave me a comforting nostalgia with every spoonful.

Location:

Chungchoosoo Mulhoe & Seopguk
12-36, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

www.chungchosoofish.com
IG chungchosoo_official
Opens daily 10AM — 8.50PM (last order is at 8pm)

Sokcho Food Market and Walking Street: What to try!

After lunch, we took a walk around the lake and headed to Sokcho Food Market and Walking Street.

A vibrant area teeming with an eclectic array of restaurants, cafes, photo booths, and gift shops, this lively street promises an abundance of sensory delights, leaving visitors spoiled for choice. Below is a list of everything we ate.

Location:

Jungang-ro, 147beon-girl, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Sulbbang

Sulbbang is a local favourite in Sokcho. It’s a wedge of makgeolli bread adorned with sweet red bean and peas. It’s a sweet, fluffy treat with a hint of tanginess and had everyone queuing for over 30 mins.

The bakery we went to has a menu offering three flavours: original, pumpkin, and corn. However, only the original was available when we went. (I assume the other flavours are readily available during weekdays and off-peak season.)

*Try the Sulbbang when you’re in Sokcho, for an authentic snack.*

Every customer was limited to one slice of sulbbang, which ensured there was enough for everyone eagerly waiting in line.

The one slice that we bought was the size of my head, and shared between five of us. It really was more than enough to snack on.

Location:

Sulbbang Sulbbang
23-1, Junggang-ro, 129beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Potato pancake (gamja jeon)

In case you didn't know, Gangwon-do is renowned for its potatoes, so naturally, I couldn't resist trying some potato pancake — otherwise known as gamja jeon.

Make sure to sample both the original and kimchi varieties - they're available at numerous stalls throughout the market.

Sweet pancake (hotteok)

I'm a sucker for hotteok, especially the original one that’s filled with nuts and seeds.

At this point we couldn’t eat anymore… However, we still wanted to ensure we tried as much as possible so decided to buy some things for later. This included:

Fried chicken from Mansok Dak-Gangjeong
Braised Stingray (home kit edition) from Subinyine Jjim
Takoyaki home-meal kit from E-Mart24 Supermarket
Sweet and Sour Battered Prawns from E-Mart24 Supermarket
Accompanied by a variety of vegetables, snacks, and alcohol.

While Yangnyeom fried chicken is a familiar taste, Mansok Dak-Gangjeong stood out with its use of tender breast meat, making it a clear favourite in my book.

For those acquainted with Malaysian cuisine and its iconic stingray sambal, the Korean braised stingray offers a similar experience. It’s packed with spice and flavours (more than just red pepper paste).

The dish also boasts tender fish bones which melt in your mouth when cooked to perfection. Potatoes enhance the dish's depth and it pairs well with rice because the grains soak up the rich flavours.

Remember: Don't let the leftover sauce go to waste; add a packet of ramen or rice!

Seoraksan National Park

The following morning, on our last day, we woke up early to explore Seoraksan National Park.

Our trip was a short weekend getaway so we didn't have enough time to hike Seoraksan. (I’ll be back to hike it sometime this year.) Instead, we opted for the scenic cable car ride.

For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, don’t worry — Seoraksan National Park offers plenty of options to enjoy its natural beauty without scaling great heights.

Cafes, restaurants, and snack bars are available. There are also many short walking routes which allow you to soak up the park's serene ambiance at a leisurely pace.

Location:

Seorak Cable Car 강원 속초시 설악산로 1085
Opens daily from 8.30AM – 6PM

*Times can fluctuate day to day, check the main image on the cable car website for the current and next day’s hours – can open as early as 7:30 or close early*

Ticket Costs:
Adult (middle school age and older): 15,000 won
Child: 11,000 won
Under 3 years old: Free

A coffee break at A-Place

To end our Sokcho adventure, we made one last stop at a charming café.

Situated on Sokcho beach, not far from Aruna cafe, A-Place boasts a prime location with breathtaking views of the sea. Spread across four floors, this establishment offers something for everyone.

The ground floor serves as a cosy book cafe, where you can enjoy a wide selection of coffee, beverages, and food.

Floors two and three house homestay accommodations, providing a comfortable retreat for travellers seeking a home-away-from-home experience.

The rooftop, located on the fourth floor, offers panoramic vistas of the sea and beach, making it the perfect spot to unwind with great company and soak in the coastal beauty.

Location:

A-Place
31, Cheonghohae-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
www.aplace.co.kr
IG aplace_official

I hope this post serves as a source of inspiration, urging you to embark on a spontaneous weekend getaway to the ocean.

Let us know in the comments below if you visit any of these places and try any of these snacks!

Edited by Molly Raycraft.