Sokcho market jeotgal shop: regular's restock for son, Hwangbuja

Hwangbuja Jeotgal: my stop for jeotgal at Sokcho Jungang Market

Hwangbuja Jeotgal (황부자젓갈) is a jeotgal (salted fermented seafood) shop inside Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market, also called Sokcho Jungang Market. Whenever I come to Sokcho, the market is one of the places I always stop by.

It's so much fun to wander the market, snack on things, and pick out gifts or side dishes to take home.

Hwangbuja Jeotgal hours and parking

Hwangbuja Jeotgal is open daily 08:00–20:30, and takeout packaging and reservations are available. There's parking support at the public lot: spend ₩15,000 or more and you get 30 minutes covered.

The Sokcho Jungang Market parking is a parking tower, so it isn't hard to park. Go up to level 2 or higher and there's plenty of room.

My regular stop when the jeotgal runs out

Again this time, just as the jeotgal in my fridge was almost gone, I came to Hwangbuja Jeotgal at Sokcho Jungang Market. I picked out octopus jeotgal, squid jeotgal and shrimp jeotgal. I always seem to arrive in Sokcho right when the fridge runs dry, so it has become a stop on my trip, like a tourist route.

What kinds of jeotgal does Hwangbuja Jeotgal sell?

The display in front of Hwangbuja Jeotgal has many kinds of jeotgal neatly laid out. Honestly, they have every kind you can think of.

From pollock roe, white pollock roe and low-salt white pollock roe to salted squid, squid sikhae (fermented seafood with grains), seasoned pollock, flatfish sikhae and seed jeotgal, there's a wide range to suit your taste.

My husband asked if we should buy yellow croaker jeotgal this time, but that one needs seasoning and a lot of work, so I shut that down right away. Haha.

A friendly jeotgal shop where you can taste before you choose

If you can't decide what to buy at Hwangbuja Jeotgal, ask the owner and he'll kindly explain what makes each jeotgal different. What I'm always glad about each time I come is the owner's warm welcome.

He always greets me sweetly and lets me taste the jeotgal happily, so I can browse without any pressure.

Since you can taste before choosing, it's easy to pick even a jeotgal you've never tried, and you also get lots of tips on what to eat it with.

What I bought this time: octopus, squid and shrimp jeotgal

At Hwangbuja Jeotgal I bought the octopus jeotgal and squid jeotgal that I always reach for, plus shrimp jeotgal, which is great for all kinds of cooking.

Jeotgal is an easy side dish to pull out for rice, and when you have no appetite, a spoonful with warm rice is filling. I was happy that I could enjoy the taste of my Sokcho trip at home a bit longer.

Can you get jeotgal packed as a Sokcho Jungang Market gift?

Hwangbuja Jeotgal has a variety of jeotgal ready for packing, so it looks like a decent choice if you're hunting for a Sokcho Jungang Market gift.

There's a price list too, so you can check amounts and prices as you choose. The sign said that if you spend ₩30,000 or more and leave a Naver receipt review, you get a sample jeotgal. Check the in-store notice when you visit.

If you're looking for somewhere to stop at Sokcho Jungang Market and you like jeotgal, drop by Hwangbuja Jeotgal. Thanks to the friendly owner, easy tastings and wide selection, I leave feeling good every time.

Other things they sell besides jeotgal

Hwangbuja Jeotgal also sells things like blue crab soy sauce, traditional sikhye (sweet rice drink) and Jeju hallabong juice.

It's a place I'd want to come back to when I'm looking for jeotgal at Sokcho Jungang Market or want side dishes to take home.

Hwangbuja Jeotgal nationwide delivery

Hwangbuja Jeotgal also offers nationwide delivery.

I shared the jeotgal with my son's family

I'll probably be in Sokcho or Gangneung again soon, so I set aside a little of what I bought at Hwangbuja Jeotgal this time and took it to my son's family to eat.

When there's no side dish, a bowl of plain white rice is enough to make a meal. I ate the little portions of octopus and squid jeotgal I'd set aside as side dishes when eating alone, too.

Next time I'm thinking of buying pollock roe, white pollock roe and low-salt white pollock roe as Sokcho Jungang Market gifts. Save Hwangbuja Jeotgal as a stop for when you go to Sokcho Jungang Market.