Gangneung sundubu restaurant with grilled kodari for two: Jeong Eunsuk

I went to a spot in Gangneung I kind of want to keep to myself. Coming to Gangneung and not eating sundubu (soft tofu stew) would be a crime. The place I visited has weekend waits as a given — seriously so many people — and it's Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu.

Where is Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu? Hours and parking

Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu is at 200 Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea, open 08:00-18:30. Monday closes at 16:00 and the regular closing day is Tuesday. There's a private parking lot.

Known as a famous Korean restaurant in Gangneung, Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu opens at 08:00, so you can even have it for breakfast. Just remember it's closed on Tuesdays!

You can park in front of the restaurant, and if it's full, use the free Heo Nanseolheon parking lot.

Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu is apparently well known among locals too. The owner is said to be a certified master cook, and the skill really shows. You can book through Naver, and groups are welcome too.

How long is the weekend wait, and what is the dining room like?

Waiting is basically mandatory on weekends at Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu. That said, there are comfortable chairs set up in the waiting area.

Comfortable chairs are set up so you can wait in peace.

The interior really feels like a classic Korean restaurant, and even with so many people, there were enough tables that we didn't wait long.

The tables were spacious too, so dining was really comfortable. Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu also has baby chairs. Most guests seemed to be there for family meals 😉

Chodang Myeongpum table vs Chodang tofu table: what is the difference?

• Chodang Myeongpum table 💰 25,000 (sundubu jjigae + tofu samhap + seasoned grilled kodari)
• Chodang tofu table 💰 20,000 (sundubu jjigae + tofu samhap)
• Tofu samhap (boiled pork) 💰 31,000

We ordered two Chodang Myeongpum tables at 💰25,000 each. Curious about the difference between the Myeongpum table and the tofu table? The Myeongpum table has sundubu jjigae + tofu samhap + seasoned grilled kodari, while the tofu table has just sundubu jjigae + tofu samhap. It's only a ₩5,000 difference, but it comes down to whether or not kodari is included. My partner and I both love fish, so we went with the Myeongpum table that includes kodari 🐟 The Myeongpum table has the big advantage of letting you eat sundubu, boiled pork, and kodari all at once.

The basic side dishes were really tasty too. Extra side dishes can be refilled.

Sundubu hot pot: the broth stops being white once you stir in the sauce

Let's start with the sundubu jjigae. Is the broth actually white? Nope! Once you swirl in the seasoning sauce

it turns into this.

Let it boil hard. The more it boils, the more that savory, clean tofu smell rises up.

The sundubu jjigae also has crab and vegetables in it — a kind of magic touch that makes the broth so refreshing. The broth wasn't harsh at all, and it was really delicious.

A sundubu jjigae that's spicy but not harsh is genuinely rare ❤️ It practically devours a bowl of rice by itself!!!

Seasoned grilled kodari, the reason to pay 5,000 won more

Since the fish comes included in the Myeongpum table, I ordered it without hesitation! There aren't many people who dislike kodari. It was the second thing that devours rice — eating it with plain white rice was out-of-this-world good.

The kodari was thick too, so even one or two pieces filled us up fast. Genuinely delicious 👍🏼

Tofu samhap: tofu, boiled pork and vegetables in one bite

The tofu samhap sounds delicious just from its name, and personally, it was reeeeally good. Wondering what

tofu samhap