Sokcho chicken alley guide and 1997 garlic dakgangjeong: Seomin Gapbu
In short
Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is a dakgangjeong (Korean sweet crispy fried chicken) shop that has been running since 1997 at stalls 4 and 5 in the chicken alley of Sokcho Jungang Market, Gangwon. The garlic dakgangjeong costs 23,000 won, and taken back to the guesthouse it stayed crisp outside and juicy inside, with a thin coating that never turned greasy. The alley is full of similar signs, so look for the yellow signboard and the line about the TV show Seomin Gapbu and you won't wander.
Good to know
- Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken)
- 20,000 won
- Garlic or deodeok dakgangjeong
- 23,000 won (garlic or deodeok add-on 3,000 won)
- Shrimp gangjeong
- Extra charge applies
- Half-and-half order
- Available
- Flavor choice
- Spicy or honey-sweet
- Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- 4,000 won
- Sides
- Nurungji (scorched rice), squid sundae, potato pancake
- Location
- Stalls 4 and 5, chicken alley, Sokcho Jungang Market (16 Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, 1st floor, unit 4, Sokcho, Gangwon)
- Hours
- Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00 / Mon–Wed 10:00–21:00 / Thu (Sep 24, Chuseok holiday) 10:00–20:00
- Delivery
- Nationwide shipping available
- Price reference
- ₩20,000 ≈ $14.5 · ₩23,000 ≈ $16.5 · ₩4,000 ≈ $2.9 (2026-09-21)
as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026
Why go to Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip in Sokcho Jungang Market?
While wandering around Jungang Market on a trip to Sokcho, I heard about a place I absolutely had to visit — Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip. It's famous as one of the go-to spots at Sokcho Jungang Market, and what really caught my interest was that it had appeared on the TV show Seomin Gapbu. Seeing the signboard say it's been running since 1997 gave me a real sense of its long history.
As I walked up to the shop, the yellow "Sijang Dakgangjeong" sign immediately caught my eye. On the counter, dakgangjeong, boneless fried chicken, garlic dakgangjeong, and deodeok (mountain bellflower root) dakgangjeong were all laid out by type, which made deciding what to get a happy dilemma. Prices were reasonable, in the ₩20,000 range, and I liked that you could order a half-and-half mix. There was also shrimp gangjeong, so you could enjoy something spicy and something mild at the same time.
Dakgangjeong prices and half-and-half orders at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip
Standing at the counter, I saw a wide range of dakgangjeong laid out. According to the menu, regular dakgangjeong was ₩20,000, garlic and deodeok dakgangjeong were ₩23,000, and shrimp gangjeong came with an extra charge on top. You could also order a half-and-half mix, which seemed like a great option for anyone wanting to try two flavors at once.
What does the 23,000 won garlic dakgangjeong taste like?
I ordered the garlic dakgangjeong. The outside was crispy and the inside stayed juicy — the texture was really satisfying. The seasoning wasn't overpowering either, with a subtle savory depth that kept me reaching for more. I also liked that the batter wasn't thick, so I could eat it all the way through without it feeling greasy. Tasting it, I understood why it's been a beloved part of the Sokcho Jungang Market food scene for so long.
Garlic/deodeok add-on 3.0. You can also choose spicy. Honey-sweet is available too. They sell a lot of great menu items. I was starving and the smell was torture.
What else to order with the dakgangjeong at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip
Besides dakgangjeong, they also sell side dishes like nurungji (scorched rice), squid sundae, and potato pancake, which was great for grazing while browsing the market. Tteokbokki was cheap too, at ₩4,000, making it a perfect combo to pack along with the dakgangjeong. Apparently the shop got even busier after airing on Seomin Gapbu, and after going myself, both the taste and the value made total sense.
How to find the shop in Sokcho Jungang Market's chicken alley
The shop is located in the chicken alley inside Sokcho Jungang Market. There are several similar-looking signs in the alley, so it's easy to get confused — just look for the phrase mentioning its appearance on Seomin Gapbu and check the sign color, and you should find it fine. There were staff inside helping with packing, so the wait wasn't too long. Everyone working there was really friendly too.
Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip location and opening hours
- Address: 16 Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, 1st floor, unit 4, Sokcho-si, Gangwon, South Korea
- 🏪 Location: Sokcho Jungang Market chicken alley, stalls 4 & 5
- 🕙 Friday 10:00 – 22:00
- Saturday 10:00 – 22:00
- Sunday 10:00 – 22:00
- Monday 10:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday 10:00 – 21:00
- Wednesday 10:00 – 21:00
- Thursday (Sep 24, Chuseok holiday) 10:00 – 20:00
So many types of dakgangjeong, and it's still good even cold — Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip. They say nationwide delivery is available too, so give it a try~~!
Does the dakgangjeong stay crispy as takeout back to your room?
I took it back to the guesthouse in a takeout box, and the container was sturdy enough that it didn't go soggy on the way — it stayed pretty crispy for a good while. It was a satisfying menu item, good to eat right there at the market or good to take away for later.
The long history, the TV appearance, and the taste I got to try myself all came together for a satisfying visit. If you're looking for something to eat at Sokcho Jungang Market, I'd highly recommend stopping by Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip. Just one order of dakgangjeong was enough to understand why this place has been loved for so long. Next time I'm at Sokcho Jungang Market, I definitely want to come back to this Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip and try some of the other menu items too. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a hearty snack while wandering the market.
Where it is
16 Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, 1st floor, unit 4, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea강원특별자치도 속초시 중앙로147번길 16 1층 4호
