Sokcho market dessert: black rice vs white rice gangjeong, Ibuja Mayak

Today I stopped by a Sokcho Jungang Market favorite, Ibuja Mayak Gotgan (이부자마약곳간)!

Open daily 08:30–19:30 Extended 30 minutes on weekends (Closed every Wednesday)

Use the public parking lot across from Sokcho Jungang Market (Free 30-minute parking coupon with purchases over ₩15,000)

Where is Ibuja Mayak Gotgan inside Sokcho Jungang Market?

Ibuja Mayak Gotgan is at Unit 137, 1st floor of Sokcho Tourist & Fisheries Market, right on the central street of Jungang Market. I've been to Sokcho Jungang Market so many times, but this was my first time trying gangjeong >_<!!

It's located right on the main street of Sokcho Jungang Market, so it was super easy to find! It's on the alley where the most people pass through — haha, that's the alley with the sulbbang (rice wine bread) line. Keep walking in and you'll find Ibuja Mayak Gotgan right next to the mochi shop!

Five grain gangjeong flavors and prices at the stall

There are five handmade grain gangjeong flavors: brown rice, buckwheat, black rice, white rice, and yellow rice! This shop insists on making and selling everything the same day.

I really liked that they had tasting samples set up like this, so you can try before you buy :)

8-piece SET ₩10,000 12-piece SET ₩15,000

Buying two 8-piece bags for 10,000 won each, plus the parking coupon

I picked up two 8-piece SETs today!

Inside, they even slipped in a free coupon for one piece of gangjeong >_< That kind of extra care makes you want to come back again — I love that kind of service!

Everything was neatly packed by flavor, which made me so happy thinking about digging in as soon as I got back to my stay haha

Tasting black rice, white rice and buckwheat gangjeong side by side

They packed it in this order: black rice, brown rice, buckwheat, yellow rice, white rice, yellow rice, buckwheat, brown rice — a nice variety across flavors!

The brown rice, yellow rice, and buckwheat trio! Good-looking gangjeong tastes good too!

And the two I enjoyed most!! Black rice and white rice 🖤🤍

Chewy and nutty in texture, but they don't stick to your teeth — so good!

The black rice especially, my favorite, kind of reminded me of Choco Puffs cereal? Crispy and sweet, really nice~

Being able to try three different grains one by one made it fun to pick and choose! I always pictured gangjeong as an old-fashioned snack that mostly older folks like, but trying it myself, it was cleaner-tasting, nutty, and crispy than I expected — perfect for anyone of any age to enjoy without hesitation!!

The buckwheat had more of a chew to it compared to the other gangjeong, and tasted cleaner!

I didn't even bother cutting them, just ate them piece by piece, and they disappeared in no time~

Why Ibuja Mayak Gotgan gangjeong works as a car snack

This handmade gangjeong seems perfect to munch on in the car on the drive home after a Sokcho trip! I'm kind of a pro at eating in the car, you know? And I love that it doesn't crumble everywhere when you take a bite! It would also pair really well as a dessert with coffee or milk!!

Six months of aging, and how to crisp up soft gangjeong

At Ibuja Mayak Gotgan, the grains are steamed, then dried with hot air, and aged for six months to thoroughly remove any remaining moisture in the grain. This careful process is what gives the gangjeong its crispy, nutty texture! >_<

If it's been a while since purchase, or if it's gone soft or hardened due to humidity, microwave it for about 20 seconds and let it cool slightly for a crisp-outside, chewy-inside texture! Or lightly pan-fry it over low heat for a nutty, toasted-rice-like aroma that makes it even more delicious — worth keeping in mind!

Who should buy gangjeong at Ibuja Mayak Gotgan?

• Anyone looking for a snack that people of all ages can enjoy
• Anyone who wants to try grain snacks without the stereotype that gangjeong is 'an old-fashioned snack'
• Anyone who loves a crispy, nutty texture
• Anyone looking for a snack the whole family can share