Gangneung gelato shop with mango-strawberry cups: Hi Gelato

If you want to try sundubu (soft tofu) as a different kind of dessert in Gangneung, gelato turns out to be a pretty good option. My daughter said she wanted sundubu gelato, so we headed to Hi Gelato in Gangneung around noon together.

Tasting it myself, it wasn't tofu in name only — the clean, nutty flavor of soybeans came through quite clearly once it hit my mouth.

It's also close to Gangneung Jungang Market, so it's a good spot to stop by for dessert before or after browsing the market.

Gangneung has plenty of desserts with local character, not just coffee. This time we went looking for the sundubu gelato my daughter wanted, and found it at Hi Gelato.

Where is Hi Gelato in Gangneung, and is there parking?

Hi Gelato is located on the 1st floor of 158 Toseong-ro, Gangneung. It's near the Jungang-dong Community Center intersection, and within walking distance of both Gangneung Jungang Market and Seobu Market.

We drove there, and we were able to stop briefly in front of the shop for about 5–10 minutes.

Rather than parking for a long time to eat there, if you're driving, it seemed more convenient to just order to go.

What the Hi Gelato shop feels like inside

From outside, the red Hi GELATO sign really stood out.

Inside, it's mostly white with red chairs and tables as accents, giving the whole space a bright, fresh feel.

There are photos of Gangneung scenery on the walls, and seats by the window too. It's less a big café and more a compact space that's good for sitting down briefly with your gelato or grabbing it to go.

Discounts and promotions to check at Hi Gelato

There was a sign about following Hi Gelato on Instagram and showing it to staff for a 10% discount.

If you eat gelato often, the stamp card is worth checking out too.

There was also a receipt review event — after ordering and getting your receipt, writing a photo review gets you a free size-up to the large cup. This event may change depending on when you visit, so it's worth checking at the shop.

Hi Gelato menu and cup prices

Looking at the showcase, there were more flavors than I expected. Alongside sundubu gelato, there was corn handmade soba, Mango and Strawberry in Love, Lotus Biscoff, Riso, milk choco chip, Acha-cha Matcha-cha, and more on display.

For the small cup you can pick 1–2 flavors, and for the large cup, 2–3 flavors.

• Hi Gelato Signature ₩9,000
• Small gelato cup ₩5,000
• Large gelato cup ₩6,500

There's also a to-go menu, so you can pick several flavors to take home.

Sundubu gelato and Mango and Strawberry in Love, chosen with my daughter

We picked the Hi Gelato Signature, sundubu gelato, and Mango and Strawberry in Love. We started with the sundubu gelato my daughter had been wanting.

It actually tastes like sundubu

That's what we both said the moment we took a bite. I'd been expecting a sweet ice cream with 'sundubu' just slapped on the name, but the clean, nutty flavor of soybeans lingered quietly in my mouth. Alongside that, there was still gelato's characteristic soft, chewy texture, so sundubu and gelato weren't as odd a combination as I'd thought. Rather than just leaving a strong sweetness behind, it had a nutty flavor that made it feel like a distinctive dessert worth trying in Gangneung.

We picked Mango and Strawberry in Love just because the name was fun. Placed next to the sundubu gelato, the colors contrasted clearly, and it was nice being able to taste two different things — the nutty flavor and the fruity one.

What makes the Hi Gelato Signature cup different?

The Hi Gelato Signature (₩9,000) is different from a regular gelato cup right from the start. Underneath the clear cup you can see a deep-colored fruit layer, with gelato filled in on top. It's a different experience from just eating plain gelato, so it's a good pick if you want to try something a bit different at Hi Gelato.

If you've come to Gangneung and want to try a dessert with local character, sundubu gelato is worth experiencing. It's also easy to work into your route if you're browsing Gangneung Jungang Market or Seobu Market and start craving something cool and sweet. The shop is compact and hard to park at for long, so if you're driving, taking it to go seems more convenient.

Is Hi Gelato worth a stop in Gangneung?

We went because my daughter wanted sundubu gelato, but it was a flavor I was curious about too. Tasting it, I really did get that nutty, clean flavor of sundubu, and I liked the soft texture of the gelato. You can also pick fruit-flavored options like Mango and Strawberry in Love, and there are menus like the Signature that let you enjoy several elements in one cup, so there was plenty to choose from depending on your taste.

Hi Gelato hours, address and details

• Address: 158 Toseong-ro, 1st floor, Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea
• Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30–20:00
• Sunday: 11:30–15:30