Sokcho market Abai sundae and shrimp gangjeong set: Hwangbuja Twigim

A trip to Sokcho, Gangwon isn't complete without a walk through Sokcho Jungang Market, packed with all kinds of street food. So many travelers come to Sokcho specifically for Abai sundae (blood sausage) or squid sundae, plus crispy, varied fried snacks.

Why Hwangbuja Twigim was the pick in Sokcho Jungang Market

Every time I travel, I agonize over which of the countless market stalls to pick, but after visiting Hwangbuja Twigim — hands down at the top of every Sokcho Jungang Market food list — I've settled on it completely. The moment I stepped up to the stall, the savory smell of frying hit me, and the neatly arranged spread of food caught my eye. Catching that delicious smell amid the lively atmosphere of the market made the excitement of the trip feel even bigger, just from stopping by.

What comes in the sundae and tempura set at Hwangbuja Twigim

The biggest upside of Hwangbuja Twigim is that it's a great spot to grab all the signature menu items in one combo set with zero deliberation needed. No need to hunt around for the best Abai sundae spot and the best squid sundae spot separately — you can get a well-rounded, affordable combo in one place. One bite and you immediately understand why there's no need to go anywhere else; the meat and ingredients hit a perfect balance that fills your mouth with flavor. It's exactly the kind of order that's perfect to bring back to your accommodation as an evening drinking snack, so I felt reassured just waiting for the takeout order. True to its reputation as one of the genuinely must-try spots in Sokcho Jungang Market — the kind of place people line up for — the staff packed everything quickly and kindly, so it stayed warm all the way back to the hotel.

How the Abai sundae, nurungji squid sundae and shrimp tempura tasted back at the room

The moment I unpacked everything at the hotel, the spread alone made me gasp. The Abai sundae, packed generously inside, had a clean, savory flavor that got better with every bite, while the nurungji squid sundae — crispy outside, chewy inside — had a texture that kept my hand reaching back for more. And living up to its title as one of the best shrimp tempura spots in Sokcho, the batter wasn't thick and the shrimp inside stayed plump and springy — an absolute perfect match for beer.

Adding in the sweet-and-spicy glazed shrimp gangjeong, a signature item here, felt like a whole banquet of flavors playing out in my mouth. After one taste, it was instantly clear why this place always comes up whenever people recommend the best food in Sokcho Jungang Market.

Next time at Hwangbuja Twigim: squid tempura and red snow crab leg tempura

Since I focused mainly on the combo set this time, I ended up genuinely regretting not trying the squid tempura and red snow crab leg tempura that were on the menu — that's how satisfying the meal was. The base tempura and sundae were so good that I regretted not ordering those two, so I'm definitely adding them next time I revisit Sokcho.

If you want to enjoy delicious squid sundae and crispy tempura in Sokcho without breaking the bank, don't hesitate — I strongly recommend seeking out Hwangbuja Twigim. Thanks to this tasty haul from Sokcho Jungang Market, your evening winding down for the day will feel that much happier and more complete.