What to Eat in Gangwon: Sundubu, Naengmyeon, Makguksu, Dakgalbi and Sundae-gukbap

Gangwon’s best-known foods are spread across different cities. Choose sundubu or buckwheat naengmyeon in Gangneung, makguksu or dakgalbi in Chuncheon, and a warming bowl of sundae-gukbap in Sokcho. The restaurants are too far apart for a single food crawl, so start with the city already on your itinerary.

Choose by destination

Gangneung — Chodang sundubu
Soft tofu made with Korean soybeans and seawater brine from the East Sea.
Gangneung and Chuncheon — buckwheat noodles
Choose naengmyeon in Gangneung or makguksu in Chuncheon when you want a cold noodle meal.
Chuncheon — dakgalbi
Chicken marinated in a spicy sauce and stir-fried on a hot plate. It works best as a shared meal.
Sokcho — sundae-gukbap
A warming blood-sausage soup close to Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market.

Gangneung: Chodang sundubu and buckwheat naengmyeon

Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu is in Gangneung’s Chodang tofu village. Its Century Shop designation notes that the restaurant makes tofu daily with Korean soybeans and seawater brine from the East Sea. Chodang sundubu is a good choice when you want a mild meal centred on the flavour and soft texture of the tofu. The checked price for the sundubu set meal is 14,000 won.

Ttungbo Naengmyeon is a noodle restaurant in Imdang-dong, Gangneung. It opened in 1992 and is noted for using Korean buckwheat. It serves both Pyeongyang-style and Hamheung-style naengmyeon. The checked price is 13,000 won.

Although both restaurants are in Gangneung, they do not fit naturally into a single stop. Choose Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu when visiting the tofu village or the eastern side of the city, and Ttungbo Naengmyeon when you are staying closer to central Gangneung.

Chuncheon: makguksu and dakgalbi

Saembat Makguksu is in Sinbuk-eup, Chuncheon. The restaurant opened in 1970 and is now run by a third generation. Its standard makguksu was listed at 10,000 won when checked, while all-buckwheat makguksu is a separate menu item. Choose it when you want a lighter cold-noodle meal.

Chuncheon Myeongmul Dakgalbi is in Samcheon-dong. Its Century Shop designation highlights its aged sauce and a cooking method that does not add extra oil. One portion of dakgalbi was listed at 16,000 won when checked. Since the chicken is stir-fried together on a hot plate, it is more convenient for a shared meal than for a quick solo stop.

The two restaurants are in different parts of Chuncheon. Choose Saembat Makguksu when your route takes you towards Sinbuk-eup, and Chuncheon Myeongmul Dakgalbi when you are staying around central Chuncheon or Samcheon-dong.

Sokcho: sundae-gukbap near the market

Donghae Sundaeguk is a sundae-gukbap restaurant in Geumho-dong, Sokcho. Its Century Shop designation records that it has operated for more than forty years and is now run by a second generation.

The checked price for sundae-gukbap is 11,000 won. The hot soup and rice make it a filling choice on a cold day. The restaurant is close to Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market, so it fits easily before or after a market visit.

Signature dishes and checked prices

City	Restaurant	Signature dish	Checked price
Gangneung	Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu	Chodang sundubu	14,000 won
Gangneung	Ttungbo Naengmyeon	Naengmyeon	13,000 won
Chuncheon	Saembat Makguksu	Makguksu	10,000 won
Chuncheon	Chuncheon Myeongmul Dakgalbi	Dakgalbi, one portion	16,000 won
Sokcho	Donghae Sundaeguk	Sundae-gukbap	11,000 won

Prices are based on the menu information available when checked and may change.

A general example of makguksu. This photograph was not taken at Saembat Makguksu in Chuncheon.

Junho Jung (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market, close enough to combine with a meal at Donghae Sundaeguk.

Christophe95 (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Restaurants in this article

Check the hours before visiting

No confirmed opening hours or regular closing days are currently available for these restaurants. Check each restaurant’s latest information on the day before travelling.

Prices are based on the menu information available when checked and may change. Changes to ingredients or menu composition may also affect the final price.

The main image and the makguksu photograph above were not taken at a specific restaurant in this article. Restaurant cards must not substitute images borrowed from another article or place.

If you only have time for one meal

In Gangneung, choose Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu for a mild tofu meal or Ttungbo Naengmyeon for cold buckwheat noodles.

In Chuncheon, choose Saembat Makguksu for a lighter noodle meal or Chuncheon Myeongmul Dakgalbi for a shared hot-plate dish. Donghae Sundaeguk is the easiest fit when your Sokcho itinerary already includes the tourist and fishery market.

Frequently asked questions

What should I eat in Gangneung?

Choose Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu for mild, freshly made soft tofu in the Chodang tofu village. If you are in central Gangneung and want cold buckwheat noodles, Ttungbo Naengmyeon is a better fit.

Should I choose makguksu or dakgalbi in Chuncheon?

Choose Saembat Makguksu for a lighter cold-noodle meal. Chuncheon Myeongmul Dakgalbi is better when several people want to share chicken stir-fried on a hot plate. The restaurants are in different parts of the city, so check your route first.

Is there somewhere to eat near Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market?

Donghae Sundaeguk is in nearby Geumho-dong. Its hot sundae-gukbap makes a filling meal before or after visiting the market.

How much do the dishes in this guide cost?

The checked prices are 10,000 won for makguksu, 11,000 won for sundae-gukbap, 13,000 won for naengmyeon, 14,000 won for the Chodang sundubu set meal and 16,000 won for one portion of dakgalbi. Prices may change.