Sokcho restaurant, post-Seoraksan hike family lunch: Deungdae Gotgan

You finish a morning hike up Seoraksan, you're starving, you wonder what to eat, and there's really only one thing that comes to mind, right?

I want to eat something delicious while looking at the sea…

That was exactly that kind of day. So we headed to Deungdae Gotgan (등대곳간), a Deungdae Beach restaurant in Sokcho I'd heard about through word of mouth.

How is the route from Seoraksan hike to Deungdae Gotgan?

Deungdae Gotgan sits right in front of Deungdae Beach in Yeongnang-dong, Sokcho, so it's an easy stop on the way down from Seoraksan. Seoraksan, then lunch, then a seaside stroll: this route is perfect for a family weekend trip when the weather's nice.

The weather was great that day and I just wanted to stare blankly at the sea, and I was surprised all over again by a view that felt like a café, not a restaurant. It's quiet in the Yeongnang-dong area but you still get a proper view, so I can see why it's already become a word-of-mouth favorite.

Deungdae Gotgan's exterior and first-floor atmosphere

The white building catches your eye right away, and it really does look like a lighthouse, just like the name (Deungdae means lighthouse). Deungdae Beach is known for its lighthouse, so the owner clearly had a good sense for this. It's a great photo spot, too.

The first floor also has floor-to-ceiling windows, so it feels open, and there are plenty of seats, which makes it good for families.

What is the second-floor sea view like?

On the second floor, the sea at Deungdae Beach spreads out right through the windows. Even the staircase has cute little phrases on the walls, which got me in the feels. You can tell they've put care into every corner, so I took photos of them. And the moment I walked into the second floor…

Whoa, what is this place…

The view fits right in like a picture frame. At this point it's not just a restaurant: it's a view spot and a Sokcho octopus spot in one.

What did we order at Deungdae Gotgan?

We ordered the signature braised octopus (jjagjeuri nakji) and a pork cutlet from the kids' menu. No need to agonize over the menu! A short menu means they're confident ^^ so we ordered with trust.

• Signature: braised octopus (jjagjeuri nakji)
• Kids' menu: pork cutlet (donkatsu)

The self-bar is kept neat, and with kids' chairs and tableware ready, it feels like a proper Yeongnang-dong family restaurant. A kid at the next table, maybe kindergarten age, was eating happily too.

The basic side dishes come out neatly, and when the main dish arrived, it passed on looks alone. So clean! I loved it.

How should you eat the octopus jjagjeuri?

Mix it into rice with plenty of bean sprouts and seaweed flakes, then add udon and cheese, and it's complete. There's a decent amount of octopus, and the bouncy texture is still there.

Honestly, sea view plus octopus… that's cheating. If you're looking for octopus in Sokcho, remember this place. It has a bit of spice, so mixing it with rice, bean sprouts and lots of seaweed gives you that "ahh, this is it!!" feeling. The seaweed flakes are stocked generously at the self-bar, so help yourself.

Here's the key point 👇

• Mix with seaweed flakes + bean sprouts
• Drop in the udon
• Add cheese

Eat it like this and it's complete. One bite and you'll say, "Ah, so glad we came." You know that satisfied feeling when one dish gives you lots of different flavors? Deungdae Gotgan delivers exactly that.

How was the kids' menu pork cutlet?

The pork cutlet we ordered from the kids' menu honestly beat my expectations too. The frying was good, crispy outside and juicy inside, and my kid dipped it in the sauce and ate it so well.

The spice of the octopus plus fried food is a combo you keep going back to. That's enough for me to say it's a family-friendly Deungdae Beach spot in Sokcho.

Why Deungdae Gotgan works as a family trip restaurant

• Sea-view floor-to-ceiling windows
• Plenty of seats
• Kids welcome
• Low chance of a menu miss

That's probably why Deungdae Gotgan isn't just another popular spot but a Yeongnang-dong restaurant and Sokcho octopus place people keep coming back to. If you visit Sokcho, definitely stop by~~~ ^^ And be sure to reserve a window seat!!

A walk on Deungdae Beach after the meal

Step out after eating and Deungdae Beach is right in front, so a walk comes automatically. It was a day where I feasted with my eyes and my mouth.

Summary: if you want proper octopus with a sea view, save this place for sure. If you're looking for a Deungdae Beach restaurant in Sokcho, Deungdae Gotgan is a no-fail choice.