Sokcho market dakgangjeong shop: nut-topped deodeok, Seomin Gapbu

Why I picked Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip at Sokcho Jungang Market

Sokcho has so many famous dakgangjeong places that I figured, since I was already on a trip, I should wander through the market, look around, and try dakgangjeong at least once. So I went.

Sokcho Jungang Market has plenty of great dakgangjeong shops, but Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip (서민갑부 시장닭집) says it was featured on the TV show Seomin Gapbu. When I got there, they were running a fried food shop and all sorts of other things too, so I could see how they ended up on TV. It's a big business. A big business!

Besides deodeok (Korean bellflower root) dakgangjeong, the menu has a seriously long lineup: garlic, fried, spicy, honey and more.

A 20-minute weekday afternoon wait, with sikhye in line

The line was longer than I expected, but they sell tempting things like sikhye (sweet rice drink) while you wait, which is nice.

You could also grab squid sundae (stuffed squid) or potato pancake here in one go, which seems like a pretty good idea.

I went on a weekday afternoon, and luckily it wasn't one of the really crowded times. Still, as a popular place, it wasn't the kind of spot where you get your order right after ordering; I waited about 20 minutes in line before I could take it to go. It seems like in peak season or on weekends the wait is often much longer, so I think I got to buy it fairly comfortably.

It really is a big business. Big! They let you see the portion right there, and when you pack it up, it really does come out to about that much. The portions are generous for the price, which I like.

Deodeok dakgangjeong taste: so many nuts

What I took out this time was the signature deodeok dakgangjeong.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the generous pile of nuts. It's not just a few peanuts; almonds, pumpkin seeds and other nuts are piled on without holding back, so the texture is really rich. The crunchy nuts go well with the sweet sauce on the chicken and add to the fun of chewing.

The sauce was satisfying too. It's not the overly spicy or just-sweet style; the sweetness and savory depth were nicely balanced. The coating soaked up plenty of sauce without going soggy, so it stayed good to the very end.

Do deodeok and dakgangjeong really go together?

The biggest feature of this shop is, of course, the deodeok. When I thought about it, it's seasoned and grilled the same way, so I figured deodeok and dakgangjeong would work together, and when I actually ate it, it felt much more natural than I expected. The deodeok's subtle aroma and slightly bitter flavor cleanly cut the sweet sauce and make you keep reaching for more. The deodeok scent doesn't stick out too much, so I don't think opinions will split much, and it has a distinct charm you can't get from ordinary dakgangjeong.

The balance was especially good when the nutty richness, the deodeok's fragrance and the sweet sauce all landed in one bite. I felt that if you've come all the way to Sokcho, trying a menu item with local character like this is worth more than the usual dakgangjeong.

There are more seeds than you'd think, so even after finishing, haha, there's always a little more to pick at.

Verdict: worth it on a Sokcho trip?

Sokcho Jungang Market has lots of food, but I think the deodeok dakgangjeong at Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is clearly different from other places. Even with a wait, the line moved relatively fast so it wasn't a burden, and it was nice to take it back to the lodging or home and enjoy it slowly. If you're looking for a special dakgangjeong on a Sokcho trip, it's a place I'd recommend trying once.