Sokcho fried snacks for a family: Hwangbuja Twigim

What fried snacks did I buy for 10 family members?

During a family trip to Sokcho with 10 people, I looked around Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market for daytime snacks. I found Hwangbuja Twigim (황부자튀김) by following the smell of frying food, and decided to pack snacks that everyone could share.

Where is Hwangbuja Twigim, and how did I park?

Hwangbuja Twigim is in stalls 26 and 27 of Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market. The original post lists its hours as 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with regular closure every Tuesday.

The information said I could use the Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market public parking lot and receive a parking ticket with a purchase. However, note that parking discounts can be applied to only up to two tickets per day.

What kinds of fritters were available, and how much were they?

There were many customers waiting for fritters in front of the shop. There were also gim-mari (fried seaweed rolls), sweet potato fritters, and perilla leaf fritters, so I could look over the selection before choosing.

King prawn fritters, peeled shrimp fritters, red snow crab meat fritters, and squid fritters were ₩10,000 each. Mini squid sundae was ₩10,000, while squid sundae and nurungji squid sundae were ₩15,000 each.

They also sold baby crab fritters. I usually like them, so they caught my eye, but this time I chose squid fritters and two kinds of shrimp fritters with my family’s preferences in mind.

I ordered ₩10,000 worth each of squid fritters, peeled shrimp fritters, and king prawn fritters, paying ₩30,000 in total.

What did I need to collect my packed fritters?

After lining up and ordering, I received a receipt. Once the fritters were ready, the shop checked this receipt before handing over the food. Since I had paid and was holding the receipt, my parents could not collect the order right away when they went in my place. After I sent them a photo of the receipt, they were able to receive it after it was checked.

The fritters I received looked golden. We brought them back to our accommodation and shared them as a snack; there was plenty for several people to try one or two pieces each.

How did the squid and shrimp fritters differ in taste and texture?

Were the long squid fritters tough?

Each squid fritter was long and substantial. I worried that the thick squid might be tough, but it was fairly tender, and even I, while undergoing orthodontic treatment, could chew it without much difficulty. The outside was crisp and the inside was pleasantly chewy.

Why were the peeled shrimp fritters my favorite?

My favorite of the three was the peeled shrimp fritters. The shrimp had been peeled before frying, so I could eat them whole with ease. The shrimp were large and plump, with a satisfying bite.

I had them with beer, and they paired well. I was busy eating, so I did not take many detailed photos. I would also like to try the shrimp gangjeong they sold at the shop next time.

Were the king prawn fritters easy to eat?

The king prawn fritters were large and had a good chew. However, because the shells were still on, they were a little less convenient to eat than the peeled shrimp fritters.

They tasted good dipped in seasoned soy sauce, but I preferred the peeled shrimp fritters, which I could eat easily without shells.

Would I pack these again as a family-trip snack?

With a wide selection of fritters and the option to pack chosen items in ₩10,000 portions, it was convenient for buying snacks to share among several people. This time, 10 family members sampled them at our accommodation. If I return, I would choose the large, easy-to-eat peeled shrimp fritters again.