Chodang-dong sundubu, bossam and braised pollock set: Jeong Eunsuk

On a weekend trip to Gangneung, I figured we had to try Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) since we were there, so after some searching I headed to Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu. When you're eating with kids, whether they can actually eat a dish matters a lot, even for a single menu choice. So our family ordered the Chodang Myeongpum table, which lets you try sundubu, bossam (boiled pork), and braised pollock all at once.

Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu sits on Nanseolheon-ro in Chodang-dong, Gangneung, and is known as being run by Chef Jeong Eunsuk, Korea's Master Chef No. 48. Built around Chodang sundubu, the restaurant also serves tofu samhap (three-way tofu combo), bossam, gajami sikhae (fermented flounder), and braised pollock — a whole spread of Gangneung specialties, making it a great stop for a meal while traveling. The signature Chodang Myeongpum table is apparently a dish officially selected as a Gangneung specialty.

The interior was clean with plenty of space between tables. We visited with kids and they had baby chairs ready, so it seemed like a comfortable spot for family dining.

Weekend lunch rush at Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu: where to park

We arrived at noon on a weekend. Luckily we found parking right in front of the restaurant, though spots filled up fast even at that hour. There's also a lot next to the building, so parking wasn't impossible.

By the time we finished eating and left around 1pm, a few people were already waiting outside. If you're visiting for weekend lunch, booking ahead might be a good idea.

Why the family picked the 25,000-won Chodang Myeongpum table

We ordered the Chodang Myeongpum table for ₩25,000. It came with sundubu hot pot, tofu samhap, and seasoned grilled pollock together, so instead of just one dish we got to try a whole range of food. The side dishes were all neatly prepared too, leaning more toward complementing the main dishes than being heavily seasoned themselves — which I really liked.

Clear sundubu first for the kids, spicy sauce on the side

What I especially loved about this meal was that kids and adults could enjoy the same dish, each to their own taste. We asked for the sundubu jjigae to come in a non-spicy white broth from the start. The spicy sauce (dadaegi) was served separately, so we mixed the kids' portion with rice, no dadaegi added, and fed them first.

After the kids ate, we added the dadaegi we'd been given separately to our own bowls. Same sundubu hot pot, but the kids got it mild while the adults got it spicy — so convenient when eating with children. If you're looking for a sundubu restaurant in Gangneung to visit with kids, this is worth keeping in mind.

The bossam (boiled pork) our eldest finished off 😂

The bossam that came with the sundubu jjigae was honestly a surprise — since it's a sundubu place, I expected the tofu to be the star, but the bossam was really tender. Soft enough that our kid could eat it easily, and our son ended up eating almost all of it. 😂

We didn't order extra suyuk (boiled pork slices) separately, but looking at the menu, it seemed possible to add more. If you're visiting with kids, feeding them bossam alongside the sundubu seems like a solid plan.

Braised pollock: the dish the parents liked best

Personally, the dish that impressed me most that day was the braised pollock. The seasoning was really delicious. I like braised pollock and have had it at several places, but honestly, this was the best I've ever had. I came expecting to focus on the Chodang sundubu, but the braised pollock ended up being what stuck with me most.

Sundubu pudding from the review event

After the meal, we got a sundubu pudding as part of a review event. Tried it for dessert — sweet with a nutty note, and better than expected. It was a flavor the kids enjoyed too.

The 0.89-second timing game the kids loved

There was one more thing the kids found fun on the way out after the meal. There's a machine out front that measures the temperature of soybean milk being boiled, and it's set up like a button game where you try to hit 89 degrees. My husband tried, the kids tried, all failed — and then I gave it a shot and… hit exactly 0.89. 😂

It might seem like nothing much, but playing it with the kids gave us a fun little moment after the meal. It's a small bit of fun worth trying if you visit with kids.

Is Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu good for a Gangneung meal with kids?

What I liked about Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu is that it's not just a place for sundubu — you get sundubu hot pot, tofu samhap, bossam, and braised pollock all in one visit. Especially with kids, being able to get the sundubu in a mild white broth first and add spicy sauce separately was the best part.

Our kid ate the tender bossam really well, and personally, the braised pollock was what stayed with me most. Parking was available around noon on the weekend, but spots filled up quickly as time passed, and by 1pm people were already waiting. It's also close to Gyeongpodae, so it's easy to head to the beach before or after the meal. Like us, you could plan a course of eating sundubu and then visiting Gyeongpodae during a weekend trip to Gangneung.

Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu: hours, prices and directions

• Address: 200 Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
• Hours: Monday 08:00–16:00, Wednesday–Sunday 08:00–18:30, closed Tuesdays
• Parking: available in front of the restaurant and in the lot beside it
• Signature menu: Chodang Myeongpum table ₩25,000, Chodang tofu table ₩20,000, Chodang sundubu hot pot ₩15,000, and more
• Hours and menu prices may change, so it's worth checking before you visit