Gangneung restaurant by Gangmun Beach: Gossi's Donghae Makguksu

On a recent family trip to Gangneung, we were deciding what to have for lunch when we visited Gossi's Donghae Makguksu, a popular spot by Gangmun Beach. It is right in front of the beach, so we could eat while looking out at the sea through the large windows, then take a walk around Gangmun Beach afterward—the route was just perfect.

From mul makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) and bibim makguksu (spicy mixed buckwheat noodles) to yeolmu makguksu and moist suyuk (boiled pork), there was plenty to try, and it was satisfying to share with a child too.

Right by Gangmun Beach: location and parking

Gossi's Donghae Makguksu is right in front of Gangmun Beach, so it was easy to find.

You can use the public parking lot directly in front of the restaurant, which made it a great location for visiting by car. The first hour of parking was free, and the restaurant can extend it for another 30 minutes.

We arrived a little after lunchtime, but there were still quite a lot of people eating. There may be a wait, so I recommend reserving on Naver before you go!

Gangmun Beach stretches out refreshingly beyond the restaurant's big windows, so it was lovely to enjoy our meal while looking at the sea~💞

Ordering makguksu and sundubu dishes

At Gossi's Donghae Makguksu, we could try a range of makguksu and sundubu (soft tofu) dishes. Everything looked delicious, so it took us quite a while to decide what to order~haha

We ordered on the tablet at the table, and there were plenty of choices to suit different tastes! There was also a two-person set with two bowls of makguksu and suyuk. A one-person set was available too, so it looked like a nice option for enjoying makguksu and suyuk even when dining alone.

We ordered the two-person set and added yeolmu makguksu.

The two-person set and yeolmu makguksu

After we ordered, the side dishes came out first. All the kimchi varieties were tasty, so I tried every one, and we could use the self-service corner if we needed more.

Soon our food arrived. The generous, neatly presented spread instantly made my mouth water!

Mul makguksu my child enjoyed too

First, we tried the mul makguksu that my child said was delicious and ate so well. Its savory soy-sauce broth felt distinct from the usual makguksu broths I have had.

They say it uses a secret broth made from deeply simmered kelp and soy sauce. The broth was rich without becoming cloying, so I kept reaching for more; it was mild too, making it ideal for a child.

I especially liked the noodle texture. They were not tough, yet they did not break apart too easily, making them great for slurping up. The cool, savory broth and nicely textured noodles worked so well together that I thought: this Gangneung sundubu favorite may have great soft tofu, but its makguksu is great too! 😆

Bibim makguksu with pollack sikhae and perilla oil

This was the bibim makguksu I really enjoyed. It is made with Gangwon-do pollack sikhae (fermented pollack), spicy sauce, and nutty perilla oil. The pollack sikhae was a specialty in itself, and above all, the savory seasoning went beautifully with the noodles and suited my taste perfectly.

I poured in a little broth and mixed it up, and it became moist with a lightly spicy kick—one of those dishes that keeps your chopsticks moving.

Top it with a slice of moist suyuk and eat them together, and the pairing is perfect! The suyuk was pleasantly chewy, clean-tasting, and juicy, so it was truly wonderful alongside the makguksu.

It was especially delicious with pa-kimchi (green onion kimchi) on top—the extra savory flavor made it such a treat!

Seasonal yeolmu makguksu

We also tried the seasonal yeolmu makguksu. It had lots of yeolmu (young radish greens) in a cool broth, and eating the crisp greens with the noodles had a different kind of charm.

Mul makguksu, bibim makguksu, and yeolmu makguksu each had their own appeal, so I think it would be nice to order a variety and share~haha

More than anything, being able to enjoy delicious makguksu and suyuk while looking out at Gangmun Beach through the big windows made it perfect for really feeling like we were on a trip.

How was it for lunch on a Gangneung trip?

We visited during our Gangneung trip and thoroughly enjoyed the makguksu and suyuk. With delicious noodles and pork plus a view of the sea right in front of Gangmun Beach, I would recommend it as a great Gangneung sundubu restaurant. It is also nice for exploring Gangmun Beach after your meal, so if you are looking for a Gangmun Beach spot for a family meal with children or a couple's date, do give it a visit~💞