Gangneung Korean restaurant for hearty gamjatang near Ojukheon: Matdeurin

Travel is really all about going somewhere to eat, isn’t it?

On my trip to Gangneung, Gangwon, I had a deliciously generous meal at a local favorite, Matdeurin Sundubu Haejangguk & Gamjatang. Let me introduce it to you!

Matdeurin location and visitor information

• Location: 6 Jukheon-gil 85beon-gil, 1st floor, Matdeurin
• Hours: Daily 08:30–22:00
• No break time; last order at 21:20
• Parking: Dedicated parking in front of the building

The interior is spacious and comfortable, so it works well for everyone from family meals and tourists to larger groups. The space is also nicely divided, which makes it a good spot for all kinds of gatherings.

Ordering gamjatang and stir-fried octopus

I ordered the signature Matdeurin gamjatang (pork-bone soup, small) and stir-fried octopus for two.

They also have handmade fresh pork cutlets, so it’s a nice place to visit with kids.

From the kimchi to the assorted banchan (side dishes), everything is made in-house, making these basic sides feel especially thoughtful. You can refill them at the self-service bar if you need more.

A small gamjatang that looked anything but small

Finally, the main dish arrived: Matdeurin gamjatang. Is this really the small size???! There was such a generous amount of meat on the bones.

Sometimes places give you lots of bones but not much meat, which can feel a little disappointing. But Matdeurin’s gamjatang was truly meaty. Maybe because they prepare and trim the bones themselves, the meat was incredibly tender too.

One unusual thing is that their gamjatang comes with bean sprouts. Piling them onto the meat and eating them together was delicious.

The broth, made by simmering beef-bone stock for 24 hours, was clean and savory with no unpleasant smell.

Appetite-whetting stir-fried octopus without overwhelming heat

Freshness and seasoning are the keys to stir-fried octopus, right?! The seasoning was neither too spicy nor too bland, and the octopus was soft rather than at all chewy. It was the kind of stir-fried octopus that really gets your appetite going.

Can you see how plump and tender the octopus is!? I’m thinking about it again even as I write this.

Finish by making fried rice with the stir-fried octopus, and you have a seriously delicious, rice-devouring meal in no time! There’s a reason it has remained a Gangneung favorite since 2009.

Mix in the bean sprouts that come with the gamjatang at this point for an even tastier fried rice.

Review event and Gangneung soju

Join the Naver review event and you’ll receive a complimentary carbonated drink. You always crave something fizzy with delicious food, don’t you? Don’t miss it—take part and enjoy the perk!

They also sell Gangneung soju by the entrance, as you’d expect from a Gangneung restaurant. Since I don’t know much about alcohol, I was happy with my soft drink.

A handy stop on an Ojukheon itinerary

It is about a 3-minute walk from Ojukheon in Gangneung, so the location is incredibly convenient if you’re looking for somewhere to eat near Ojukheon. Gyeongpodae, the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park, and Chodang Sundubu Village are all about a 10-minute drive away, making for an ideal route around Gangneung. It is also close to Gangneung Station and the intercity bus terminal, so I recommend it to travelers getting around on foot or by public transport.

By the way, there is no break time, so you can comfortably sort out breakfast, lunch, or dinner whenever suits you.

My grandmother doesn’t eat sundubu (soft tofu), so I didn’t get to try it, but I hear this is also known for its sundubu gamjatang made with Korean-grown soybeans. I’ll have to try it on my next Gangneung food stop. If you want a thoughtful meal from a kind owner, visit Matdeurin Sundubu Haejangguk & Gamjatang, already famous as a Gangneung local favorite, for a satisfying meal :)