Sokcho market croquettes to-go: six flavors at Samsam Goroke

Sokcho Jungang Market was at the top of my list for this Sokcho trip! I was looking for something to take back to our accommodation when I heard there was a great croquette spot, so I stopped by. You can try unusual croquettes filled with Sokcho specialties here, which is why I want to recommend it as a Jungang Market favorite 🟠

Samsam Goroke in Sokcho: location and hours

• Location: opposite Manseok Dakgangjeong in Sokcho Jungang Market
• Hours: weekdays 10:00–20:00 / weekends 9:30–21:00
• Last order: weekdays 19:40 / weekends 20:40
• Phone pickup reservations available
• Parking: use the paid public parking lot at Sokcho Jungang Market

Samsam Goroke menu and honest taste test

Samsam Goroke (삼삼고로케) is opposite the famous Manseok Dakgangjeong in Sokcho Jungang Market. The market is not huge, so you should spot it quickly after one lap!

Samsam Goroke sells six kinds of croquettes in total. Buying a six-piece or three-piece set is cheaper, but you can also buy them individually.

• 6-piece croquettes ₩17,000
• 3-piece croquettes ₩9,000
• Sokcho red crab croquette ₩3,700
• Sokcho potato croquette ₩3,300
• Spicy jjamppong croquette ₩3,500
• Abai croquette ₩3,700
• Pepper japchae croquette ₩3,500
• Pollock roe cream croquette ₩3,500

They also sell three kinds of local makgeolli (Korean rice wine) and dongdongju made in Baekkot Provence Village, Sokcho’s representative brewery!

I wanted to try every croquette, so I ordered the six-piece set, and it took about five minutes to receive it. It came boxed up, making it easy to take to our accommodation—and perfect for bringing to the beach that evening 𓈒𓂂𓏸

I could feel the warmth as soon as I got them. They were not cooled-down croquettes; they had been fried not long before, so they tasted even better.

A takeout-food photo that looks pretty powerful.

We dropped our bags at the accommodation and went straight to Sokcho Beach to set out the food ⋆｡˚ 🌊🦀🐟

Sokcho red crab croquette

This signature croquette is filled with Sokcho’s local red crab, and its unusual flavor—something you cannot try elsewhere—really stood out! It was my second favorite after the spicy jjamppong, and since it is not spicy, it would be good for kids too.

Pollock roe cream, pepper japchae, and Abai croquettes

Pollock roe cream croquette 🍜 I expected a strong flavor, but it was lighter than expected. It captured the flavor of pollock roe cream udon, with the cream and savory-salty roe working beautifully together.

Pepper japchae croquette 🌶️ This Chinese-style japchae croquette is filled with pepper japchae, with smoky wok flavor and saltiness that made it just right as a beer snack. Samsam Goroke generally packs in more filling than other croquettes, which may be why every bite was so good • •

Abai croquette 🦑 The Abai croquette contains the filling from squid sundae, a Sokcho specialty, and I loved its squid flavor and texture.

Sokcho potato croquette

I thought it would be a croquette with only potato inside, but this Gangwon potato croquette had a subtle pizza-like flavor. The fluffy potato texture with a nutty pizza aroma makes it an easy crowd-pleaser 🍕

Even the leftover croquettes were delicious when I ate them at home the next day 🥺

The best one: spicy jjamppong croquette

Spicy jjamppong croquette 🔥 This was the number-one croquette for my taste buds ꒰ ⸝⸝ɞ̴̶̷ ·̮ ɞ̴̶̷⸝⸝꒱ It was packed with meat jjamppong and lots of smoky fire flavor, and it was so delicious. I could see why it is a bestseller!! If you only want to buy one individually, I highly recommend the spicy jjamppong flavor.

I think these croquettes are also great as gifts because you can taste Sokcho’s distinctive flavors in them ㆅ If you are looking for food to take back to your accommodation from Sokcho Jungang Market, I recommend Samsam Goroke! It was such a good croquette spot that I would happily revisit next time I am in Sokcho ᵕ༚ᵕ⑅