Kid-friendly grain gangjeong snack at Sokcho Market: Ibuja Mayak

After a fun morning swim at Chesterton's Sokcho, we headed straight to Sokcho Central Market to grab some tasty squid sundae (stuffed squid sausage). While wandering the alleys looking for a savory snack for my parents to take home, we stumbled onto a memorable Sokcho Market spot: Ibuja Mayak Gotgan.

The friendly owner handed us a taste sample right at the entrance, and my kid loved it — crunchy and delicious, she said.

Finding Ibuja Mayak Gotgan: location, parking, and stall 19

Even in the busy market maze, just remember stall number 19 and you'll find it easily, even if you're bad with directions.

After parking at the clean Sokcho Tourist Fisheries Market public lot, walk into the central alley and a tidy sign stands out among the lively stalls.

The storefront was spotless and hygienically arranged from the entrance on, which immediately boosted my trust in the place.

Big handmade grain gangjeong, freshly made that morning and piled high, gave off a savory sweet scent that made our mouths water instantly.

What makes this handmade grain gangjeong not stick to your teeth?

Regular gangjeong sold at traditional markets is often loaded with corn syrup, making it hard enough to hurt your teeth or stick uncomfortably. But here, instead of just deep-frying, they steam buckwheat, sprouted brown rice, black rice, and white rice until moist, then dry them with hot air.

They go through a full 6-month aging process to completely remove residual moisture inside the grains, resulting in a crunch on a whole different level. One bite gives you a bright, clean crispness with no stickiness at all — it made me smile instantly.

You can freely choose based on your taste: savory brown rice and buckwheat that gets better the more you chew, black rice that suits adult palates, and white rice that's easy for small kid hands to hold and eat.

Tasting samples, review event, and visit tips

At the front of the shop, clean tasting bowls are generously set out so anyone can compare flavors without hesitation.

They're also running an event where anyone who writes a Naver receipt review or a Google photo review gets a free crunchy rice gangjeong sample. It's a small, satisfying bonus you can grab with just one photo on-site — a nice little joy while traveling.

✨ A regular's tip for enjoying that crispy-outside, chewy-inside texture at home — if the gangjeong gets a bit soft from weather or humidity after purchase, microwave it for just 20 seconds and let it cool slightly before eating. You'll be amazed at how the crunch magically comes back just like fresh. Toasting it lightly on low heat in a pan brings out a savory, scorched-rice aroma and turns it into a whole different, upscale snack!

Prices, delivery, and how it works as a gift

Despite all the careful effort and time that goes into making these, the price is very reasonable, so I was completely satisfied with the value.

A big 8-piece grain gangjeong set is 10,000 won, and a 12-piece set is 15,000 won, making it a great spot to buy plenty and share. Back at our lodging, when I handed some to my kid, she happily munched away with a satisfying crunch, and it warmed my heart to watch.

Since it doesn't stick to teeth and isn't overly sweet, it pairs perfectly with cold plain milk or a bitter hot Americano.

For those who live far away or can't easily revisit, nationwide courier delivery is available with just one phone call — worth keeping in mind.