What To Eat In Gangwondo | Locals' Recommended List

In addition to gorgeous one-of-a-kind mountain and ocean scenery, Gangwondo also has some amazing restaurants that you might not know about, so today we want to introduce you to some of the best places to grab a tasty meal.

Chuncheon Yumi Dakgalbi
춘천 유미닭갈비

Address: 강원도 춘천시 금강로62번길 12
12 Geumgang-ro 62-beongil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:00-23:00
Closed: second Wed of each month

Of course we had to kick it off with a Dakgalbi restaurant.

Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken is one of the most famous Chuncheon cuisines and there are many restaurants to choose from on Chuncheon's Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street.

The standard ingredients included in Dakgalbi are chicken, green onions, cabbage, rice cakes, and sweet potato, though each restaurant will have its own unique way of making it.

Dakgalbi (닭갈비) 300g 
12,000 won

A restaurant staff member will help stir-fry the chicken at your table so you don't have to worry about messing it up.

The fresh chicken is very tender and the restaurants unique chili sauce is very delicious. They include chewy noodles which help cut any greasiness nicely. 

There's something special about the aroma of the combined ingredients on the the hot iron plate that just adds to the experience.

And if the greasiness seems unappetizing to you, there are lettuce leaves and pickled radish the relieve the oiliness and spice. 

And of course there is kimchi!

Gangneung Donghwa Garden
강릉 동화가든

Address: 강원 강릉시 초당순두부길77번길 15
15 Chodangsoondubu-gil 77-beongil, Gangneung, Gangwon-do

Hours: 7:00-19:00*
Break: 16:00-17:00
Closed: Wed
*Seafood Soft Tofu available 8:30-19:00

As far as must-eat foods in Gangneung, the top dish is definitely soft tofu (soon dubu in Korean) made with fresh seafood.

And as for which restaurant, the answer is always Donghwa Garden.

Donghwa Garden opens at 7:00 AM. After waiting about an hour, it was finally my turn.

The menu is simple, consisting of their signature soft tofu dish, soybean soup, and a few other tofu dishes.

Original Seafood Soft Tofu (원조짬순순두부)
10,000 won

This dish has quite a kick to it, but I high recommend you try it. The smooth and tender tofu is fragrant and flavorful and the seafood broth and and vegetables complement it perfectly.

Gangneung SOON TOFU GELATO
강릉 순두부젤라또

Address: 강원 강릉시 초당순두부길 95-5
95-5 Chodangsoondubu-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:00-19:30
Break: 15:30-16:30
Closed: Tue

After eating a Donghwa Garden, if you walk along the main road towards the beach, you'll find SOON TOFU GELATO.

Here you can choose from a wide variety of tofu gelato flavors like black sesame, purple sweet potato, green tea, salted caramel, Nutella, and more!

The texture is silky and smooth without being greasy. 

The most popular flavors are black sesame and green tea.

Cheorwon Pyeongi Dambaek  Ppyeokalguksu
철원 평이담백 뼈칼국수

Address: 강원 철원군 동송읍 태봉로 1833
1833 Taebong-ro, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

Hours: 11:00-20:00
Mon-Fri Break 15:00-17:00
Sat-Sun Break 16:00-17:00

About a 15 minute walk from Cheorwon's famous Goseokjeong Pavilion, is Pyeongi Dambaek Ppyeokalguksu, one of the most well known restaurants in Cheorwon.

The parking lot is always full and you have to take a number to enter, but it's worth every minute!

We arrived at lunch time, so it was busy and we had to wait, which just built up the anticipation for the famous handmade knife-cut noodles even more.

The menu here is also very simple and includes Ppyeokalguksu (bone broth Kalguksu/뼈칼국수), Bibim Kalguksu (cold spicy Kalguksu/비빔칼국수), shrimp dumplings (새우만두), stir-fried pork ribs (뼈볶음), spicy stir-fried squid (매콤갑징어볶음).

After you order, restaurant staff will serve side dishes and condiments, including onions, peppers, kimchi, ssamjang, and other sauces.

Ppyeokalguksu (뼈칼국수)
10,000 won

This is the signature dish, a rich soup made of pork bones and sprinkled with chopped green onion and sliced egg.

The melt-in-your-mouth tender pork can be dipped in their special hot and sour garlic sauce for a taste you can't find anywhere else.

Samcheok Jungang Market Nokdo & Gamja Store
삼척 중앙시장 녹두&감자 점포

Address: 강원도 삼척시 진주로 12-21 중앙시장 녹두&감자
12-21 Jinju-ro, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do

Hours: 08:00-20:00

I visited Samcheok's central market to eat a local food known as "Memil Jeonbyeong" (메밀 전병), a type of savory buckwheat pancake.

Traditional markets (sijang/시장) such as this offer delicious foods at very affordable prices.

When entering the alley on the left side of the back gate, I visited the first shop Nokdo & Gamja (Mung Bean & Potato). A variety of pancakes, fried foods, dumplings, and sundaes (Korean sausage) are sold here.

Buckwheat Pancakes (메밀전병)
3 for 5,000 won

When I ordered the pre-made buckwheat pancakes, they warmed them up so I could I could enjoy them right away.

The soft buckwheat dough and fermented kimchi and glass noodles inside were very flavorful and harmonious.

It is slightly spicy from the kimchi, but the buckwheat dough neutralizes most of the spice, so even if you can't handle spicy foods, you can probably still enjoy this.

Bukkumi (부꾸미)
3 for 5,000 won

Bukkumi is a pan-fried rice cake typically filled with sweetened, ground red bean or sesame.

When we ordered it, they fried it on the spot for us.

Sweet Pumpkin Sikhye (단호박 식혜)
5,000 won

To drink you can get pumpkin sikhye, a slightly sweet beverage made of rice, pumpkin, and malt. Because it's not overly sweet it pairs well with the Bukkumi.

Even though there were two of us, we ended up with more food than we could eat, so we packed up the leftovers to enjoy later.

Pyeongchang Namgyeong Restaurant
평창 남경식당

Address: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 347
347 Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:30-20:00

In Gangwon-do you can find dumplings made with pheasant instead of pork, so I came to Namgyeong Restaurant where they serve pheasant dumpling soup.

It is also very close to Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, a very popular attraction in the area, so you can check both places out when you visit.

Even though the restaurant looks small from the outside, when you enter, you will see many tables and a large space than anticipated.

Steamed Pheasant Dumplings (꿩 찐만두)
7,000 won

I ordered steamed dumplings as an appetizer. The order comes with 8 pieces, enough for 2-4 people.

I was worried I wouldn't like the pheasant meat since I hadn't tried it before, but it was delicious.

Pheasant Dumpling Soup (꿩만두국)
8,000 won

Of course I had to try the pheasant dumpling soup! 

There was a generous helping of dumplings in the soup along with eggs, seaweed, green onions, and sesame seeds, making it very flavorful.

Buckwheat Makguksu (메밀 막국수)
8,000 won

We also tried their Makguksu, a dish that is representative of Gangwon-do.

It consists of buckwheat noodles that are slightly thicker than regular naengmyeon, mixed with spicy sauce and ice broth.

The red pepper powder used at this restaurant has a unique depth of flavor, so I really enjoyed this dish.

Donghae Haerim Raw Fish Restaurant
동해 해림횟집 

Address: 강원도 동해시 동해대로 6270-31
6270-31 Donghae-daero, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:00-22:00

If you come to Donghae, you have to try some fresh seafood!

This time I was in the mood for some mulhoe (물회), a raw seafood soup served cold which is very refreshing. Although this dish is often associated with Pohang, it can also easily be found along the east coast of Gangwon-do.

Inside the restaurant there are both tables and traditional seating options available to suit your preference.

We decided to eat outside and enjoy the night time view of the ocean.

Mulhoe (물회)
15,000 won (including rice)

The mulhoe is made with raw, sashimi style flatfish and rockfish, and squid is included seasonally.

You can mix the fish with various vegetables and spicy sauce. Since the sauce was fruit-based, it was sweet and souring taste, spicy from the red pepper paste, and cool from the ice chips. There is a great balance of flavors and textures in this dish.

After tasting all the different flavors, you can try mixing in some rice.

It may seem strange to mix warm rice into a cold dish, but it is actually really delicious because the sauce blends perfectly with the rice. You can think of it like a colder, sweeter version of bibimbap with raw fish.

Sokcho Chupilyeo Guksi
속초 추필여국시

Address: 강원 속초시 선사로4길 4-1
4-1 Seonsa-ro 4-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:00-19:00
Closed: Mondays

Tucked away in a small alley of Sokcho near Cheongcho Lake, you'll find this local eatery frequented by local patrons.

The interior of the restaurant is nothing extravagant, but has the cozy vibe of a Korean home. 

The main area has traditional floor seating, but if you don't prefer to sit on the floor, the other dining rooms have tables and chairs.

Jang Kalguksu (장칼국수)
7,000 won

We ordered jang kalguksu, which is a Gangwondo delicacy many Korean travelers try when in the province. 

You'll get a big pajeon (green onion pancake/파전) with your jang kalguksu order, so the amount of food you get for the price is beyond generous.

Unlike your typical kalguksu, Gangwondo's jang kalguksu consists of a red soup base made with both gochujang (red pepper paste/고추장) and doenjang (soybean paste/된장), making it giving it a flavor profile with a unique sharpness and depth.

Sokcho Central Market
속초 중앙시장

Address: 강원도 속초 중앙시장로6길 14-1
14-1 Jungangsijang-ro 6-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-24:00
Hours may vary by vendor

Sokcho Central Market, one of the most well-known markets in Gangwondo, is a must-visit if you're looking to try a variety of regional street food.

From the famous abai sundae (blood sausages) and fried goods to whole crab dishes, you won't run short of options at this market!

Read about our visit to Sokcho Central Market for more information and a list of must-eats!

Hoengseong Cheongtaesan Makguksu
횡성 청태산 막국수

Address: 강원도 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로 68
68 Dunnae-ro, Dunnae-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Hours: 11:00-19:00
Break Time: 15:00-17:00

This restaurant, located in a small neighbourhood of Hoengseong, is highly recommended for travelers who are looking to taste Gangwondo specialties at reasonable prices.

Some of the specialties you can try at this restaurant are makguksu, gamjajeon and gamja ongsimi, all for only 6,000 won each!

Makguksu is cold buckwheat noodles that are slightly spicy and savoury in flavour. Gamjajeon, or potato pancakes, are super big in size so be sure to split it among 2-3 people!

Take a big bite of makguksu and gamjajeon together for an amazing mix of flavours.

Gamja ongsimi is another dish that Gangwondo locals take pride in. This hearty dish is chewy potato dough soup cooked in broth that's very deep in flavour.

Hoengseong Maok Nongaeundaejib
횡성 마옥논가운데집

Address: 강원 횡성군 횡성읍 성동로 544-12
544-12 Seongdong-ro, Hoengseong-eup, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Hours: 10:00-20:00
Closed: First and third Mondays of each month

Another eatery famous for makguksu is Maok Nongaeundaejip. The exterior looks like an old house that has nothing special to offer, but it's often visited by locals and travelers from all over the country.

Locals often order makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) with pyeonyuk, or slices of boiled beef.

You'll also get memil jeon (buckwheat pancake), with your order.

The three dishes taste amazing together!

Hoengseong Hanwoo Village
횡성한우마을

Address: 강원 횡성군 우천면 수남로 348
348 Sunam-ro, Ucheon-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Hoengseong's hanwoo (Korean beef) is famous nationwide. When Koreans hear the word hanwoo, they'll also think of Hoengseong.

The county's temperature range and clean waters from the surrounding rivers, along with its inland location, are what make this local beef extremely delectable.

At Heongseong Hanwoo Village, you'll find rows of restaurants serving up the delicious local beef as well as Hanaro Mart, where you can buy packaged hanwoo to take home and grill.

Hoengseong Hanwoo Baekhwajeom
횡성한우백화점

Address: 강원 횡성군 우천면 수남로 346
346 Sunam-ro, Ucheon-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Hours: 9:00-21:00

The restaurant we tried was Hoengseong Hanwoo Baekhwajeom, which had the best reviews on two review platforms.

Right near the entrance, you can pick out your meats to be grilled. As a guideline, 1+ ribeye cost about 29,000 won per 100 grams.

Once you've finished picking out your meats, you'll be seated at a table and served side dishes.

Don't forget to order doenjang jjigae, or soybean soup, which Koreans love to pair with their barbecue for just 2,000 won.

The beef here is very tender and aromatic, so you'll see why Hoengseong takes pride in its hanwoo!

That concludes our food tour of Gangwondo.

Hope you can use this as a helpful guide for your next vacation planning.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!