Sokcho Korean beef restaurant for family lunch: Soyachon 338

If you are traveling in Sokcho with kids and wondering what to feed them—when they cannot eat spicy food or raw dishes like sashimi, and you start thinking, is jjajangmyeon or pork cutlet really the only answer?

Here is the answer: Soyachon 338 in Sokcho, Korean beef mushroom bulgogi for ₩22,000. They serve 1++ grade Korean beef at a good value.

While traveling in Sokcho with the kids, we were deciding what to eat and chose Korean beef mushroom bulgogi. When eating with children, they often cannot handle spicy food or raw dishes such as sashimi and yukhoe (seasoned raw beef), so we end up getting through a meal with jjajangmyeon or pork cutlet. But I heard Soyachon 338 served 1++ grade beef at a good value, so we went.

It is right across from Sokcho Waterpia, making it a great location for a meal before or after Waterpia. If you are traveling with kids and stuck on the menu, especially if your children do not do well with sashimi or spicy food, read to the end and keep this in mind.

Soyachon 338 location and family dining space

The entire building was a restaurant, and Soyachon, a Korean beef specialist, was on the second floor. There was a refrigerator of beef at the front, then a dining area inside; it was much larger than I expected.

They call it a large Korean beef restaurant that can seat 200 people at once. It had baby chairs and plenty of parking, so it seemed ideal for family or group meals. They also have an outdoor barbecue area as well as indoor seating.

Korean beef mushroom bulgogi and meal prices

The menu was varied, with ribeye, special cuts, yukhoe, bulgogi, gukbap, and galbitang (short-rib soup). They say they handle only the top 1++(9) grade Korean beef, so it felt trustworthy.

• Korean beef mushroom bulgogi ₩22,000
• Korean beef gukbap ₩15,000
• Yukhoe bibimbap ₩15,000

Parking, then taking the elevator to the second floor

Having the whole building as a restaurant was convenient. We parked right in front and took the elevator to the second floor.

Families were already grilling and eating beef. With baby chairs and a fairly large space, it looked good for family gatherings or group meals.

We visited for lunch before going to Waterpia, and since the kids like bulgogi, this was the menu we decided on.

Stone-griddle Korean beef mushroom bulgogi and gukbap

Once we sat down and ordered, the basic side dishes came out. The owner personally explained the Korean beef bulgogi and the menu, and was so kind that it put me in a good mood.

The Korean beef mushroom bulgogi cooks on a stone griddle. It takes a little time to heat up at first, but they said the stone keeps it warm throughout the meal and helps the beef cook deliciously.

I learned that beyond their signature assorted sashimi platter, the ribeye is known for its nutty, tender texture, while the bulgogi is popular for its sweet-savory sauce. It made me want to try the ribeye next time, too.

The Korean beef gukbap had a wonderfully rich broth, perhaps because it contained Korean beef, and it had a little kick that felt like a hangover cure. Even though I did not need one, haha. I was surprised by the quality of the beef pieces throughout—it was quite thick, and I thought, ah, this is why the broth tastes like this.

The yukhoe bibimbap was also an easy meal to have. The presentation alone was no joke, hahaha. Made with fresh Korean beef, it was nutty and tender.

Sokcho lunch near Seorak Sorano

I heard this place is centrally located around Sokcho Sorano and Seorak Sorano, so access is good. If your accommodation is nearby, it should be even more convenient.

If you have kids and are worrying over the menu, or are on a family trip with people who cannot eat sashimi or spicy food well, definitely save Soyachon 338. It is an easy, no-pressure option for lunch in Sokcho.