Sokcho Korean restaurant for pollack soup: Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu

Are you planning a trip to Sokcho in Gangwon? Sundubu (soft tofu) is one of the foods that comes to mind when you think of Sokcho. Let me introduce a well-loved sundubu restaurant that has been passed down through three generations. It is a restaurant where you can properly enjoy neat side dishes and delicious food. A Sokcho sundubu restaurant recommendation! This is Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu (진솔할머니순두부).

A Sokcho sundubu restaurant serving breakfast

Even from its name, this place has that sort of grandfathers-of-fathers feeling, right? I visited with my father during our Sokcho trip, and I could really taste the history and tradition of three generations. Seeing that my father enjoyed it and said it was delicious, I would say it is a restaurant that suits older diners' tastes perfectly, too.

What is more, this place serves breakfast. I thought it would be just right for a breakfast stop during a trip.

• Address: 118 Wonamhaksapyeong-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon State, South Korea
• Hours: 07:30–20:00
• Parking: Free private parking

Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu, a Sokcho sundubu favorite, is near Hanwha Resort Seorak. It opens at 7:30 in the morning. Since it has plenty of foods that are good for curing a hangover, I think it would also make a great breakfast stop for anyone who had a drink the night before.

Free parking and a spacious dining room

For parking, use the private lot in front of the restaurant. It is quite large, so even buses bringing group guests can enter.

We arrived at Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu, a Sokcho sundubu favorite. The interior was quite large and looked very clean and well maintained.

It felt like quite a few group diners come here.

Our Chodang sundubu and hangover-soup order

As you would expect from a local favorite, another nice point is that they sell snacks like these. Let me introduce the menu at Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu, where breakfast is available in Sokcho.

We ordered the signature Chodang sundubu (₩12,000), hwangtae haejangguk (dried pollack hangover soup, ₩12,000), and ojingeo sundae (stuffed squid sausage, ₩15,000). After doing a little research, I found that jjamppong sundubu also seems very popular. For anyone visiting for a hangover cure, I recommend the jjamppong sundubu or the dried pollack hangover soup.

If you leave a receipt review, they even give you dotorimuk (acorn jelly). This is impossible to resist.

Our ordered dishes were fully set out.

Neat, mildly seasoned side dishes

I was quite impressed that such a variety of side dishes came out in addition to the mains. Considering the reasonable prices of the individual dishes, I could only be grateful for this many side dishes.

Each side dish tasted very good. They were not overly seasoned, which felt like exactly what would win over older diners.

Chewy squid sundae with myeongtae sikhae

What captured my eyes and my tongue was this ojingeo sundae. When you come to Sokcho, squid sundae is a dish you absolutely have to try.

The squid sundae at Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu had an amazing combination of a chewy texture and a generously filled center. And if you top it with some tangy myeongtae sikhae (fermented pollack)? You can really experience what Sokcho tastes like.

Dried pollack hangover soup with deep flavor

This is the hwangtae haejangguk (₩12,000) my father ordered. I had a bite, and the distinctively deep flavor of dried pollack hangover soup came through very strongly. I had not had a single drop of alcohol, but it was so deeply flavored that I felt as if I were sobering up.

Would the mild Chodang sundubu be good before a hike?

Next is the Chodang sundubu (₩12,000) that I ordered. I chose it because I am not really someone who likes strongly seasoned food.

I will admit that it was exactly the right pick for me, someone looking for mild, easy-to-digest food. The hot sundubu broth was really delicious, too.

Personally, I thought it would also be great to eat here before hiking Seoraksan. After all, gentle food that is not strongly seasoned is the truth before a hike.

With a spacious dining room and delicious food existing side by side, I do not think you will regret visiting. It would also be a good pick for a meal stop on a group trip.