Pollack roe cream croquette shop in Sokcho, good next morning: Samsam

Hi, this is Fabri. If you travel to Sokcho, there's a course almost everyone ends up doing at least once — grabbing food to go from Sokcho's Jungang Market. Here's my write-up from a recent trip there.

When you think of Sokcho Jungang Market, dak gangjeong (Korean fried chicken) and snow crab come to mind, but honestly, after visiting Sokcho so often, dak gangjeong started to feel a bit stale to me! So this time I went looking for something a little different and well-reviewed, and I found a place that's been winning over locals and travelers alike with its crispy texture and generous fillings. It's Sokcho's go-to croquette spot: Samsam Goroke.

Where is Samsam Goroke, and what are its hours and parking?

Samsam Goroke is at 28 Jungangsijang-ro 6-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon, right across from Manseok Dak Gangjeong. It sits along the same alley line as some famous sulbbang (rice cake) shops, snow crab restaurants, and fried food stalls, so it's easy to spot!

• Hours — Mon–Fri 10:00 AM–8:00 PM / Sat–Sun 9:30 AM–9:00 PM
• Last order 20 minutes before closing
• Parking — Sokcho Jungang Market public parking lot available (parking voucher given with croquette set purchase)

Sokcho specialties inside a croquette: red crab and abai

Samsam Goroke is known for serving fresh, handmade croquettes made the same day! What sets it apart is how it works Sokcho specialties like red crab and abai sundae (blood sausage) into the croquettes, so a single croquette gives you a taste of Sokcho.

They also sell local Sokcho liquor, so you don't have to run around town to get both drinks and a snack — very convenient! And buying in bundled sets gets you a good discount, which is pretty reasonable, right? ^^

Taking a 6-piece Samsam Goroke set back to the lodging

Since I wanted to try a bit of everything, I packed the 6-piece croquette set covering every menu item at this Sokcho croquette spot. On the walk back to the car with the bag in hand, I thought about sneaking a taste more than once, but held off so I could eat together with the family waiting at the lodging. Eating a croquette fresh out of the fryer is its own treat, but bringing it back to the lodging to enjoy with a beer makes for a great side dish too.

The whole walk back, a savory aroma kept drifting from the bag — it was hard to resist!

What do Samsam Goroke's six croquette flavors taste like?

• 1. Sokcho Red Crab Croquette — Sokcho's red crab packed into a croquette!
• 2. Abai Croquette — Sokcho's abai sundae (blood sausage) packed into a croquette!
• 3. Sokcho Potato Croquette — Sokcho's potatoes packed into a croquette!
• 4. Fire Jjamppong Croquette — with that fiery smoky jjamppong flavor!
• 5. Pollack Roe Cream Croquette — made with pollack roe from Sokcho Jungang Market!
• 6. Gochu Japchae Croquette — loaded with spicy gochu japchae (stir-fried glass noodles with peppers)!

All six had their own distinct character. As soon as we got back to the lodging and opened them up, they still had that crispy-outside, soft-inside texture going strong! Every bite was packed with generous filling that blended together nicely.

Are the croquettes still good cold the next morning?

Samsam Goroke's croquettes have little of that greasy smell even when cooled, so they worked well the next morning with coffee or milk as a simple bite. Every ingredient tasted fresh and alive, and the filling was packed in without a single gap — I could see why it's such a well-known croquette spot in Sokcho!

The prices are reasonable too, so it's perfect for picking a mix of flavors to take away. The flavors are the kind everyone, young or old, would enjoy, so I'd definitely recommend Samsam Goroke at Sokcho Jungang Market to families traveling together.

If you're looking for something a little different from the usual Sokcho snacks — a handmade treat that won't let you down — Samsam Goroke, with its generous fillings and crispy bread combo, will exceed your expectations!