Sokcho Korean restaurant for crab and shrimp set meals: Jin Seiromushi

At Jin Seiromushi (진 세이로무시) in Joyang-dong, Sokcho, I had honggejang (soy-marinated red crab) and saeujang (soy-marinated shrimp) set meals. Each came with an individual pot of rice and several side dishes, and the soy sauce for both the crab and shrimp tasted less salty than it looked to me.

What are the parking and family or group dining options like?

The restaurant is near the residential area opposite E-Mart in Joyang-dong. With a spacious parking lot and a large restaurant, it was easy to reach by car. Inside, there was a large dining hall and several rooms.

I reserved ahead and arrived on time. I was shown to a private room for about six people, which was a comfortable place to eat. I thought it would also work well for a family meal or a larger gathering.

What came with the red crab and shrimp set meals?

The red crab and shrimp were served generously on a large plate, followed by side dishes. The red crab came cut into easy-to-eat pieces, so there was less prep to deal with.

Each set meal included an individual pot of rice. The rice was glossy and smelled good, so I enjoyed it plain before pairing it with the side dishes.

How did the side dishes taste?

The bulgogi had a smoky flavor, while the parae gim (green laver sheets) was fragrant and crisp. The braised pollock was thick and rich, and the dressed seaweed was tangy, refreshing my palate between bites. There were also nutty, mild bracken fern greens and sweet potato stems dressed with perilla seeds.

The side dishes were not simply numerous; each one was enjoyable to try. They tasted freshly made to me, and I felt as though I had been served a carefully prepared full table.

Were the soy-marinated shrimp and red crab salty?

I removed the shrimp heads and shells, then ate them with a spoonful of rice. Both the honggejang and saeujang tasted less salty than they looked, with a briny aroma and savory depth that went well mixed into rice.

There was an egg yolk inside the red crab shell. I added hot rice and mixed it in, and the savory soy sauce paired well with the rice.

The red crab legs came cut into pieces. Eating them one at a time, the meat came away easily from both sides, and the children also inserted chopsticks into the smaller legs to pull out the meat.

What operating information should you check before visiting?

The hours listed in the original post were 10:30–21:00 on Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, with regular closure every Tuesday. Break time was listed as 15:00–17:00, and last orders were listed as one hour before each closing time. Takeout is also available.

What stayed with me from this meal were the individual pot rice, the varied side dishes, and the honggejang and saeujang that paired well with rice. With spacious parking and rooms, it is a place to keep in mind for a family meal or gathering during a Sokcho trip. Next time, I would like to try the seafood steamed with hinoki cypress.