Sanbon raw fish restaurant, holiday croaker lunch: Sokcho Fish Market

Why I went for croaker at a Sanbon Station fish restaurant

On a public holiday (a "red day" on the calendar), my husband and I went to Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch, known as a go-to spot near Sanbon Station, to eat croaker (minu). It had been a while since we'd gone out to eat just the two of us, haha. We usually eat a lot of meat, but that day I felt like some proper restorative food.

So I picked croaker, a prized summer delicacy. It's known as a high-protein, low-fat fish, and it has long been eaten as a stamina food. I'd heard it tastes best in summer, so I went in with big expectations!!

Where is Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch, and how is parking?

Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch (속초어시장 산본점) is on the ground floor between Exit 2 and Exit 3 of Sanbon Station, so it was easy to reach by public transport. There is no dedicated parking lot.

If you're looking for a place near Sanbon Station, I think you'll find the access really good. We were also planning to shop at E-Mart, so we parked there and walked over. It wasn't far at all, so no big hassle, haha. The restaurant is on the first floor, so it was easy to find, and the exterior stands out.

Atmosphere inside Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch

The inside was much bigger and more open than I expected. The tables are spaced comfortably, so it felt relaxed to eat there.

There are movie theaters, cafés and shopping nearby, so it would also work as a date course after the meal. I could see why so many people come here as a Sanbon Station favorite.

We visited around noon on a Wednesday, and just then we saw fresh fish for sashimi being delivered. Freshness matters at a raw fish restaurant, so seeing a delivery arrive made me trust the place even more.

What kinds of sashimi are on the menu?

The menu had seasonal summer croaker plus a wide range of fish: mullet, flatfish, rockfish, salmon, live mackerel, red sea bream, sea bass, striped beakfish, black sea bream and more. There are also combinations of several fish, so it's easy to order to your taste.

There were seasonal items too, like dodari sekkosi (thinly sliced whole flounder) and seasonal makhoe (assorted sashimi), along with seafood with a great texture, such as cuttlefish sashimi, blanched cuttlefish and raw mountain squid.

Side dishes and kids' menu

The side menu was really generous too: sea squirt, sea cucumber, spoon worm, live octopus and live abalone, plus fried shrimp, butter-grilled abalone, butter-grilled shrimp, grilled mackerel, seafood and scallion pancake, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and cheese-grilled scallops. It looked great for family visits.

Best of all, there's a jumbo pork cutlet, so families with kids can eat without worry.

Mokpo croaker set for 2: price and what's included

This time we ordered the Mokpo croaker set for 2, which cost ₩99,000. It came with croaker sashimi, croaker jeon (pan-fried battered fish) and croaker soup.

When I asked the staff, they said the croaker comes from the Mokpo or Sinan area, and that day's fish was from Mokpo. Being told the origin made me trust the place more.

Croaker sashimi: chewy, served with the swim bladder

After ordering, the basic side dishes came first, and the croaker sashimi followed soon after. Croaker sashimi has a different charm from ordinary raw fish; it's high in protein with fat nicely distributed, which is said to give it a distinct savory depth.

The swim bladder came along too, a really prized part, so I was excited.

With the first bite, the chewy yet springy texture stood out. The thickness was just right, so it was fun to chew, and dipping it lightly in makjang (seasoned soybean paste) brought out much more flavor, haha. I understood right away why so many people recommend this as a Sanbon Station raw fish restaurant.

Croaker jeon: freshly pan-fried, topped with mugwort

The croaker jeon that came next was impressive too. It was coated in egg wash and pan-fried until golden, and we got to eat it fresh and warm. It was even decorated with mugwort on top, so it looked pretty.

The clean, mild taste of croaker came through and the texture was soft, so I think people of all ages would like it. The seasoning wasn't strong, and it was even better dipped lightly in the sauce. Personally, I thought it would go really well with drinks.

Croaker soup: clear broth with mugwort and tofu

Last came the croaker soup. It was a clear broth, so the impression was clean, and it was packed with mugwort, tofu and croaker.

Perhaps thanks to the amino acids from the fish, the broth tasted cool and refreshing. Personally, I thought it would be really good with kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) added, haha.

With every spoonful, my stomach felt settled, and I thought it would go well with drinks too.

Is the croaker set at Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch worth recommending?

The Mokpo croaker set at Sokcho Fish Market Sanbon branch felt less like a quick meal and more like a leisurely restorative course. Getting to taste prized croaker after such a long time made it a special day.

If you're looking for a place near Sanbon Station or you love fresh seafood, it's worth a visit. If you want a raw fish restaurant with a wide variety of dishes, it's a decent option. And on a day when you're craving a summer stamina meal like I was, I recommend a croaker spread here, haha. I personally liked the day: I got a restorative meal and a tasty one.

Next time I want to try other seasonal fish too!! hehe The owner and staff were all kind, so do go visit!!