Old-style whole fried chicken at a Sokcho market: Seomin Gapbu Dakjip

Whenever I travel to Sokcho, I always end up stopping by Sokcho Jungang Market, officially called Sokcho Tourist and Fisheries Market. There's such a variety of food packed into one place that it's fun just to look around, and it's also fun to pack a few things and eat them back at the accommodation. This time we visited Sijang Dakjip, a Sokcho Jungang Market spot featured on the TV show Seomin Gapbu (Self-Made Millionaire).

Why we picked Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip in Sokcho Jungang Market

Sokcho Jungang Market gets plenty of tourists even on weekdays, and it's even more packed on weekends and during vacation season. From dakgangjeong (sweet-spicy fried chicken) to squid sundae, potato pancakes, fried shrimp, and salted seafood, there's so much good food that walking through the market becomes a happy dilemma of what to eat. Among all that, the spot that stopped us in our tracks with its savory fried smell was Sijang Dakjip. Maybe because it was featured on Seomin Gapbu, there were plenty of people waiting in front of the shop to order.

The biggest charm of Sijang Dakjip is that you can taste that nostalgic old-market fried chicken flavor, so different from today's franchise chicken. The chicken we ordered was fried a deep golden brown, and just looking at it you could tell it would be crispy. The savory smell that spread while it was being packed made us want to grab a piece right then and there. The freshly fried chicken was crispy outside and moist inside, tasty enough on its own without any dipping sauce. 😊

What the old-style whole fried chicken tastes like

The batter wasn't too thick, so it didn't feel heavy, and the crispy texture paired nicely with the plain, unfussy chicken. The wings and legs in particular had crispy skin with a rich, savory flavor. Unlike the trendy heavily sauced fried chicken these days, this was old-style fried chicken that stuck to the basics, making it easy for anyone, young or old, to enjoy.

Dipping it lightly in the salt or sauce that came packed alongside gave it a different flavor to enjoy too. We started out eating it plain with nothing on it, then added salt or sauce partway through, and it never got boring all the way to the end. It went great with beer too, perfect for packing up and enjoying as a light late-night snack at our Sokcho accommodation. The combination of warm market fried chicken and cold beer after a full day of wandering around never fails. 🍺

The portion was generous, good for sharing among several people, and it's even more satisfying if you buy a few other market foods and lay out a whole spread. We also picked up a few other things at Sokcho Jungang Market, but the fried chicken from Sijang Dakjip was the dish our hands kept reaching for. For adults, it brings back memories of eating fried chicken at the market as kids, and for children, it's crispy and savory enough to be a hit too.

Tips for takeout fried chicken back at your accommodation

Even after some time had passed since packing it up, the chicken from Sijang Dakjip kept a fair amount of its crispiness. Still, for the best experience, I'd recommend eating it fresh and warm right out of the fryer. Whether you taste it right there in the market or move quickly if your accommodation is nearby, eating it while it's still warm makes for a much tastier experience. Rather than sealing the bag completely, leaving it slightly open so steam can escape helps reduce sogginess.

Whole fried chicken or dakgangjeong: which to order in Sokcho

When looking for good food at Sokcho Jungang Market, the famous dakgangjeong shops usually come to mind first, but if you prefer plain, crispy old-style fried chicken, Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is a great choice too. I'd especially recommend it to those who want to enjoy the savory fried flavor and the moist, natural taste of the chicken itself, rather than a sweet, heavy sauce.

Taking in the lively market atmosphere, browsing the food stalls, and even waiting for the chicken to be freshly fried all became a fun part of our Sokcho trip. It's generous without being expensive, and works well as a snack, a dinner item, or a late-night bite at your accommodation — a place I'd want to pack food from again whenever I visit Sokcho.

If you're planning a visit to Sokcho Jungang Market, don't just grab the famous food quickly and leave — take your time strolling through the market alleys. Follow the savory smell and you'll find Sijang Dakjip, where I'd definitely recommend trying the crispy old-style fried chicken. It was a satisfying visit where I could feel both the generous portions and the warm, nostalgic flavor that makes Sokcho Jungang Market what it is. 💛