Sokcho market dakgangjeong, half garlic half fried: Seomin Gapbu

Why settle on Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip for Sokcho Jungang Market dakgangjeong?

After trying several dakgangjeong (sweet and savory fried chicken) shops in Sokcho Jungang Market, I settled on Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip — and this time I finally tried the garlic dakgangjeong I hadn't tasted yet. Every time I travel to Sokcho, one stop I never skip is Sokcho Jungang Market! And when you say Sokcho Jungang Market, dakgangjeong is unavoidable. Honestly, there's one Sokcho dakgangjeong shop so famous almost everyone's heard of it. Every time I pass by, the line is seriously massive 😭

There are so many dakgangjeong shops inside the market, but after trying a bunch, I settled on Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip! This isn't my first visit — I drop by every time I'm in Sokcho. So far I've had the mild flavor, spicy flavor, and shrimp gangjeong, and this time I tried the garlic dakgangjeong I hadn't had yet!

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip location, hours and parking

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is located at 16 Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, 1st floor, Unit 4, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, inside Sokcho Jungang Market. Hours are Mon–Thu 10:00–21:00 and Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00, and you can use the Sokcho Jungang Market public parking lot. Takeout is available, and they also do nationwide courier delivery.

Once you walk into Sokcho Jungang Market, there's so much food it's overwhelming. Dakgangjeong shops especially are so numerous it's hard to decide where to go, but the reason I keep coming back to Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is that the taste has held up every single time! It was also featured on the TV show Seomin Gapbu, so even first-time visitors can find it easily!

Beyond the basic dakgangjeong, they have spicy, garlic, deodeok (bellflower root) dakgangjeong, shrimp gangjeong and more, so there's fun in picking your way through the menu. I've been working through them one by one — basically checking them off like a boss rush, haha. This time I ordered mild garlic dakgangjeong plus fried half-and-half to eat with my kids.

Can you eat in at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip?

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip does takeout, but there's also a small eat-in area if you head further inside! Seating isn't plentiful, but most customers are ordering takeout, so every time I've visited there's been plenty of room :)

If you want to eat your dakgangjeong hot, fresh out of the fryer, eating in the shop is a good idea!

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip menu and prices

Basic dakgangjeong at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is ₩20,000, and garlic dakgangjeong and deodeok dakgangjeong are each ₩24,000. The mild garlic dakgangjeong + fried half-and-half I ordered this time was ₩24,000.

• Basic dakgangjeong ₩20,000
• Garlic dakgangjeong ₩24,000
• Deodeok dakgangjeong ₩24,000
• Add garlic +₩3,000
• Add deodeok +₩3,000
• Tteokbokki ₩4,000
• ✔️ Spicy option available
• ✔️ Half-and-half orders available
• ✔️ Also sells fried chicken / shrimp gangjeong / honey-sweet and more

I ordered fried half-and-half to share with my kids, and the combination — adults on garlic dakgangjeong, kids on fried — worked out perfectly!

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip review event

🎁 Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip also had a review event running that you can join after your visit! If you're ordering dakgangjeong, don't just walk past — check out the review event posted in the shop :)

It's simple enough to join while you're waiting for your chicken, which is nice. For the exact perk you get for leaving a review, check the shop's signage — the giveaway item may vary :)

Is the dakgangjeong ready right away? Wait and takeout tips

At Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip, if you order a big box, they don't just scoop it out of a pre-made batch — they cook it fresh after you order! So it's not instant; you'll need to wait a bit, so keep that in mind!

That said, Sokcho Jungang Market itself has so much to see that the wait flies by while you check out the surrounding food stalls :) The dakgangjeong box is surprisingly big, so if you're planning to browse the market for a while, I'd recommend picking it up near the end of your visit! Carrying it around while you shop is heavier than you'd expect, haha 😂

How was the garlic and fried chicken half-and-half?

The fried chicken at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip came out fresh, warm and crispy, and my kids loved it. The garlic dakgangjeong felt a bit milder than the basic version. This time I chose garlic dakgangjeong + fried half-and-half — I went half-and-half on the fried because the kids were with me. The fried chicken is honestly the flavor everyone already knows! If you're visiting with young kids, fried is probably the safest bet over the spicy sauce.

And the garlic dakgangjeong I'd been curious about! Open the box and you'll find garlic on top of the chicken — a combo that garlic lovers will really appreciate. Ever notice how roasted garlic gets a little fluffy and tastes almost like potato? Or is that just me…? 😂

Anyway, that mellow roasted garlic paired with the dakgangjeong surprisingly well. Adding garlic to the sweet-and-salty sauce made it feel a touch milder than the basic version. The garlic flavor wasn't so strong that it overpowered the chicken, either, so it was easy to eat without feeling heavy. This menu pick was a win! ❤️

Which dakgangjeong flavor to order with kids

Even the mild flavor at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip has a slight kick, so for kids younger than elementary school age, I'd recommend the fried chicken. Elementary-school-age kids who can handle some spice can usually manage the mild flavor fine — my own kid eats it well! For families, a good combo is adults on mild, spicy, or garlic dakgangjeong, and kids on fried.

Every Seomin Gapbu flavor tried so far

So far I've tried the spicy, mild, shrimp gangjeong, and now garlic dakgangjeong at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip.... The spicy flavor has chili in it with a nice tingle, so it worked well split half-and-half with the mild. The shrimp gangjeong had a different charm from the chicken entirely!! And this time's garlic dakgangjeong was satisfying too!

Eating the garlic together with the chicken in one bite especially suited my taste. My next target is the chili-based menu! Trying a new flavor every time I visit Sokcho sounds like fun :)

If you're browsing Sokcho Jungang Market and can't decide where to get dakgangjeong, Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is worth a stop. I'm already planning to visit again on my next Sokcho trip! Next time I'll have to try a flavor I still haven't had ❤️