Matcha gelato at Hi Gelato, a Gangneung café on Toseong-ro

Whether you've already visited Gangneung or you're planning a trip, a lot of you know the feeling — so today I'm bringing a review of a gelato café I found near Gangneung Central Market.

What is Hi Gelato's shop like inside?

Hi Gelato is a handmade gelato café on the 1st floor of 158 Toseong-ro, right near Gangneung Central Market. The moment I walked in, I felt this freshness — white tones with pops of red chairs and tables, giving the whole place a bright, cute, little-European-café feel.

There are also sentimental framed photos of Gangneung scenery on the walls, so photos here really come out with that Instagram feel.

Handmade gelato made in small batches every day

Hi Gelato's owner actually completed a gelato master course in Italy — a real pro. Instead of factory-made product, they make handmade gelato in small batches at the store every day. Since they bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients rather than artificial sweetness, kids and adults alike can eat it without getting tired of it.

Hi Gelato menu, prices, and cup sizes

The ordering system and menu at Hi Gelato are also really well put together. For eating right there or on the street, cup options are a small cup for ₩5,000, a large cup for ₩6,500, and a special signature menu for ₩9,000. The small cup lets you pick 1-2 flavors, the large cup 2-3 flavors. There are also take-home boxes great for bringing back to your accommodation or gifting, ranging from a small box at ₩16,000 up to a large box at ₩32,000.

Free tastings before you choose

Open up the showcase and your eyes really light up — Riso, Mango and Strawberry in Love, Corn Supernova, Gangneung Coffee Edition, Verona Dark Chocolate, and so many more flavors. But what moved me most was the free taste service. The owner asked if there was a flavor I wanted to try, then gave me a pretty generous scoop on a small spoon. That kind of small thoughtfulness really puts you in a good mood.

Which Hi Gelato flavors should you pick?

Now let me break down in detail the popular Hi Gelato flavors I tried and fell for.

Soft tofu (sundubu) gelato

First up, the soft tofu gelato — you can't skip this one when it comes to gelato cafés near Gangneung Central Market. I tried it via the tasting spoon. Honestly, at first I wondered if tofu and ice cream could really go together. But the moment I took a bite, a clean, nutty soybean flavor spread gently and smoothly through my mouth. It's not tofu in name only — it genuinely tastes like fresh Chodang soft tofu turned into gelato, with all that cleanness intact. Not too sweet, clean and chewy — a flavor anyone would like, no debate. You have to try this one.

Achacha Matcha Cha

Next, the matcha flavor I tried and was so impressed by. The menu name itself, 'Achacha Matcha Cha,' is adorable. The bitter sharpness and the sweet softness typical of gelato balance out perfectly — totally my type. The deep matcha flavor wraps around your mouth with weight rather than feeling like light powder, so if you're a green tea dessert fanatic, I'm confident you'll immediately name this your favorite matcha gelato ever.

Mango and Strawberry in Love

And the Mango and Strawberry in Love menu, which is a visual explosion from the start, was also amazing. The marbling of tangy strawberry and sweet mango is gorgeous, so it photographs really well, and the taste is peak refreshing. Pick one nutty flavor like soft tofu or corn, and pair it with this fruity one — the sweet-savory or nutty-refreshing combo is excellent.

Mugwort rice cake (ssuk-jeolmi)

Lastly, the mugwort rice cake flavor, the ultimate in nuttiness, was also impressive. The subtle, deep aroma of mugwort combined with the nuttiness of rice cake completely won over that 'grandma palate' — a sophisticated flavor. I'd strongly recommend this if you're visiting with elders.

Corn Supernova

On top of that, Corn Supernova, one of this place's true bestsellers, is really charming too. The nutty, sweet flavor of Chodang sweet corn comes through strong, and the texture is exactly like real gelato in Italy — it makes you go 'wow.'

Why Hi Gelato is worth a stop after Gangneung Central Market

If you're traveling to Gangneung, you're probably wondering which of the many gelato cafés near Gangneung Central Market is worth your time. Hi Gelato is right near the market, so it's easy to stop by after browsing the stalls, and since a gelato master makes handmade gelato fresh every day, the chewiness and depth of natural ingredient flavor are on a different level. Try a range of flavors — from nutty soft tofu gelato to bitter matcha, refreshing marbled strawberry, and nutty, bold mugwort rice cake — none of it relying on sharp, artificial sweetness. When you stop by Central Market on your Gangneung trip, I hope you get some proper healing with a cool, sweet cup of gelato.