Sokcho sea-view restaurant, octopus stew, beach walk: Deungdae Gotgan

Hunting for good food is one of the joys you can't skip when planning a Sokcho trip. This time, as always, I checked out Sokcho Central Market and some local restaurants~^

Where is Deungdae Gotgan, and what's the parking like?

Deungdae Gotgan (등대곳간) is an ocean-view restaurant on Yeongnanghaean-gil, near Deungdae Beach in Sokcho. For parking, you just use whatever open spot is in front of the restaurant, and there's usually plenty of room. With an open sea view and spicy octopus stew on the same table, it was clearly popular with travelers.

A good meal while looking at the beautiful East Sea makes any trip better. Deungdae Gotgan is close to Deungdae Beach, so it's a handy stop while sightseeing. The blue sea starts showing on the way there, and as soon as I arrived I couldn't even go into the restaurant. I just stood there looking at the sea first 😙

Inside Deungdae Gotgan: ocean view and atmosphere

The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside was the wide-open ocean view. (Why was I standing outside all that time, right?) Through the big floor-to-ceiling windows the East Sea fills your view, and it felt like being in a café.

The sunny window seats looked especially popular, but you can see the sea from anywhere you sit. The interior had a lovely mood too: wood-toned furniture and warm lighting worked together, and little props here and there made it feel cozy. It's a restaurant you find while traveling, but the homey feel let me eat comfortably.

How does the octopus stew taste at Deungdae Gotgan?

I ordered the signature dish, spicy octopus stew (nakji jjagaeuli, a thick, bubbling stew). The broth was spicy but not harsh, so it was easy to eat. The pot on the table looked so generous that it made my mouth water.

It was packed with fresh octopus and vegetables, and once it started bubbling, the spicy aroma kicked up my appetite. One bite and I understood why so many people come. The broth had a deep, rich savoriness, and the fresh octopus was chewy yet tender, getting nuttier the more I chewed.

The charm of jjagaeuli really shines with rice. Mixing rice into the spicy broth was filling and plenty to satisfy a hungry traveler. The side dishes were neat and clean, and went well with the main dish.

After the meal: a walk on Deungdae Beach and a coastal drive

The biggest strength of Deungdae Gotgan is enjoying food and scenery together, and right after eating it's easy to continue with a walk on nearby Deungdae Beach and a drive along the coastal road. Eating while looking out at the East Sea feels like watching a travel movie. Watching the waves break, I ate so leisurely that I lost track of time.

After the meal I strolled Deungdae Beach nearby, and following the coastal road made a perfect drive. Deungdae Beach is one of Sokcho's well-known beaches, and its relatively quiet vibe makes it a nice place to enjoy the sea at a relaxed pace. Maybe because it isn't widely known yet, it was calm and quiet, which I really loved. But it'll probably get crowded soon, right? Walking in the blue sea air and cool breeze, I felt the charm of a Sokcho trip all over again.

A Sokcho itinerary to pair with Deungdae Gotgan

Deungdae Gotgan is close to major sights like Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion, Sokcho Beach and the Sokcho Tourism and Fisheries Market, so it's easy to build into a route. After lunch or dinner, you can explore the nearby spots and fill out a day.

Sokcho has countless good restaurants, but fewer than you'd think satisfy on taste, atmosphere and view all at once. In that sense, I'd recommend Deungdae Gotgan for family trips, couples and trips with friends. Enjoying tasty octopus stew with a beautiful ocean view, I really felt Sokcho's charm.

If you're looking for a restaurant near Deungdae Beach on your Sokcho trip, I recommend stopping by Deungdae Gotgan and its great ocean view. Take in the blue East Sea with your eyes and the deep flavor of spicy octopus stew with your mouth. It should make for a special meal that lifts your whole trip.

Disclosure: this post is a review of a visit where the restaurant provided the meal.