Sokcho bakery café after makguksu: potato bread gift box, Bultan

On the last day of our Gangwon trip with my husband, I was wondering what snack to bring back as a gift. Lots of people give Sokcho's Bultan potato bread as a present, so I went with it. I'd thought about other snacks, but this one felt new, so off we went to buy gifts for my coworkers, haha!

Is Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store a good stop after makguksu?

Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store was a convenient distance to stop by after eating makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) in Sokcho and before heading up to Seoul. The parking lot is big, so it was easy to drive in and pick up a takeout order.

I expected a small café, but it was quite a bit bigger than that. The exterior stands out, so you'd spot it even just driving past. The parking area is roomy, so we parked easily, and as we walked toward the building the sign caught my eye, lol. And what's that snowman-like character on the left? I was curious.

What are the interior and seating like?

The inside of the main store has a warm, orange-toned interior, with seating that ranges from tables for 2–3 people to group seating. We had to get on the road to Seoul quickly, so we didn't sit down and just took our order to go.

It would have been nice to sit and eat, but we needed to leave early to get back to Seoul, so we packed up and left right away, haha. The shop smells of fresh bread, and the second we walked in I felt hungry again. I was tired on the last day of the trip, but that sweet, nutty smell cheered me up!

The snowman character and celebrity photos

The snowman-like character I saw outside is Bultan's signature character. Inside there are lots of versions with different animal faces! So cute and fun, haha.

There's even a space decorated like character merchandise, and many people were taking photos. It feels like a place kids would love, so there were lots of families too! It's fun to look around, so waiting wasn't boring. There were also lots of photos of celebrities holding this character!!! Yoo Jae-suk and many other celebrities, which was fun to see! It made me even more excited~~

Is a 4-piece potato bread box good packaging for a coworker gift?

I packed 4 potato breads and they put them all in one box. The packaging is sturdy, so it really felt like a proper gift. Toward the back of the shop there were other desserts besides potato bread, and they all looked so good that I kept browsing.

Many people were having coffee there, and everyone seemed to be holding at least one potato bread, lol. It really seems to be a must-do stop in Sokcho! I think the people receiving it will be happy too, haha.

The box design is clean too, so it works for a coworker gift or a snack for your parents. After a trip you want something a little special, not the usual souvenir, and this is exactly that kind of thing!

It even has a handle, so it was easy to carry and sat steadily in the car without shifting. On a long drive I worry about bread getting squashed, but the packaging is sturdy, so there was no such worry. Each potato bread fits in one hand. It's black because the bread contains squid ink! The packing was good, so the bread didn't get dented or pressed flat.

How many pieces come in the jjondeugi bag?

For a side gift I chose jjondeugi (chewy, retro-style snack sticks). One bag has 12 pieces, which is generous, and with 3 flavors it was easy to share among several people. Together with the potato bread, it made a nice gift set!

Maybe because jjondeugi feels like an old-school snack, it was perfect for eating one at a time in the car, lol. It's sweet and nutty, and you keep reaching for another. My husband kept grabbing them too, so we'd already finished a few on the way to Seoul, haha.

How does the potato bread taste, and how did coworkers react?

The potato bread is packed full of potato inside, and it tastes best microwaved for 20 seconds. Biting in, I felt the chewiness, and the filling was real potato, no joke! I thought it could easily work as a meal.

I shared it with coworkers and the reaction was good! Many had never tried potato bread, and everyone said it was neat that there's potato inside. When I mentioned it tastes even better with a short microwave, some people heated it right away, haha.

If you're wondering what gift to bring back from a Gangwon trip, I recommend potato bread! From the packaging to the jjondeugi, it makes a great gift!!