Gangneung white-and-blue cookie shop: 4 sand flavors, Gangneung Sand

When you think of traveling to Gangneung, Gangneung Sand is just as essential as the coffee! On this Gangneung trip, I stopped by the Gangneung Sand Co. main branch to grab some as a travel memento and as gifts for people back home. Apparently Gangneung Sand won the Gold Prize at the 2022 Gangneung City Tourism Souvenir Competition!

There are a lot of similar sand cookies out there, but the original Gangneung Sand has the words 'Gangneung Sand' stamped boldly on the cookie surface, so it was easy to tell apart!

Where is Gangneung Sand Main Branch, and what are the hours?

Gangneung Sand Main Branch occupies floors 1 through 3 at 31 Seonggokgoyang 5beon-angil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon, South Korea. It's open daily from 09:30 to 19:00.

The Santorini-style white-and-blue exterior you spot from far off

Gangneung Sand Main Branch was full of Santorini vibes! I was surprised at how big the building was as soon as I arrived. With white walls and a vivid blue accent, it stood out even from a distance haha.

Inside Gangneung Sand Main Branch: three floors worth a look around

The store was spacious and clean overall, so it was nice to browse at leisure, and I could take in the tourism souvenir competition award record and various products at a glance!

The interior was also done up in white and blue, giving off a feel like a brief Mediterranean getaway in the middle of Gangneung! There were little lighthouse- and sea-themed props here and there, plus a spot styled like a photo zone, so it was more fun to look around than a store where you just buy Gangneung Sand and leave.

All the Gangneung Sand flavors, and the four picked this time

I thought Gangneung Sand only came in one flavor, but there were actually more options than expected. From the signature coffee flavor to dried persimmon, Chodang corn, black sesame, and strawberry, there was plenty to choose from depending on your taste. We ended up packing four flavors: coffee, Chodang corn, strawberry, and black sesame.

As befits a Gangneung travel souvenir, I liked that there were flavors using ingredients that instantly bring Gangneung to mind, like coffee and Chodang corn!

Coffee sand: what it tastes like

First, the coffee Gangneung Sand had a subtle coffee aroma blended nicely with sweetness, making it the most universally appealing flavor. Since Gangneung is famous for coffee, it also felt like a fitting choice for a travel gift!

Chodang corn sand: what it tastes like

The Chodang corn Gangneung Sand had a nutty, sweet corn flavor that really captured the Gangneung character. If you usually enjoy corn desserts, this is one worth trying at least once.

Strawberry sand: what it tastes like

The strawberry Gangneung Sand felt a touch fresher than the others thanks to its tangy-sweet strawberry flavor. It also matched beautifully with the pink packaging, making it pretty for gifting!

Black sesame sand: what it tastes like

Finally, the black sesame Gangneung Sand had that distinctively rich, nutty black sesame flavor going for it! I'd recommend it to anyone who prefers a savory-nutty taste over an all-out sweet dessert. Each flavor had its own personality, so rather than picking just one, it was more fun buying several and comparing them together!!

Why Gangneung Sand works as a travel gift

The packaging had a bright pink floral design, and inside, the Gangneung Sand cookies were individually wrapped, which looked convenient for handing one out to several people at once. Above all, having 'Gangneung Sand' stamped in large letters right on the cookie itself made it feel unmistakably like a souvenir from a Gangneung trip.

I heard they're also developing other products besides Gangneung Sand, like Gangneung breakwater bread, 'To You' dried persimmon, and Gangneung coffee tart, so I'd love to try those other desserts next time. Since they say stock can sell out early once it runs out, I'd recommend visiting sooner rather than later if there's a flavor you have your heart set on :)