Sokcho breakfast with sundubu stew and forest views: Yetgoeul

Starting our first Sokcho morning with sundubu

“Going to Sokcho? Then pin this as your first breakfast address and start there.”

When you come to Sokcho, isn’t soft, nutty, easy-on-the-stomach sundubu (soft tofu) the very first breakfast that comes to mind?

The moment my friends and I woke up, we searched so hard for a great Sokcho sundubu spot that our fingers nearly hit the screen, then headed straight to Yetgoeul Sundubu (옛고을순두부)! It is in Sokcho Tofu Village with views of Seoraksan, so you get a meal and a little healing at once!

As we got close, the owner’s signature gat hat and beard on the sign had such a presence that we recognized it at a glance, even from far away.

🏞️ A restorative breakfast with a lush green forest view

Mountain and tree views through picture windows

The dining room was much bigger and more pleasant than I had expected!

One whole side is made up of huge picture windows, so the open feeling was no joke. (That view—ahhh!!!) Eating while looking at the crisp green mountains and trees beyond the glass naturally created that relaxed, happy travel-morning mood you can only find away from home.

The glory of truly handmade tofu, made by hand right in the restaurant!

The taste of handmade tofu made in-house

The biggest draw here is that they make tofu by hand in the restaurant! Its fluffy texture and deep nuttiness are on a totally different level from factory-supplied tofu.

They say they grind and cook the beans with care every morning, and the instant I took a bite of tofu, the beans’ naturally nutty, weighty flavor came through so richly. (Tofu the owner makes by hand with such pride 👍 big thumbs-up~) True to its reputation as a Sokcho sundubu favorite, this place really showed us what “real handmade tofu” tastes like.

The dream pairing: spicy, refreshing stew and freshly cooked cauldron pot rice!

Tricolor sundubu stew and cauldron pot rice

We ordered the tricolor sundubu stew, piled high with fresh seafood, mushrooms, and minari (water dropwort).

Even the savory, peppery aroma that spread as it bubbled away made our appetites explode! It was so generous that I thought it might overflow right out of the pot~

One spoonful of broth revealed plump shrimp and the refreshing note of minari, perfectly matched with the nuttiness of the restaurant’s handmade tofu for a deep, rich flavor. And the colorful, pretty handmade tofu in three flavors? Visuals: pass. 💯

The texture was clearly different from tofu I had eaten in Seoul, so I found myself savoring it slowly~ It looked pretty and tasted great, so all three of us opened our eyes wide and nodded along~ And the 🍚 pot rice that came with it was also so delicious~

Look at those cute chunks of sweet potato, kabocha squash, and beans tucked into the rice... The moment we opened the lid, it was so cute my heart skipped a beat!

I put a piece of nutty tofu over the hot rice and mixed it all together—such a rice thief! Finishing with savory scorched-rice tea made from the crispy rice at the bottom left me wonderfully full.

A full spread of sides, including grilled tofu and buckwheat pancakes

The main stew was amazing, but everyone’s satisfaction went way up with the basic side-dish spread too!!!

• Golden, nutty pan-fried tofu
• Crispy, light buckwheat pancakes that kept drawing my hand back
• Flavor-packed salted squid and clean-tasting wild-greens side dishes

Nothing tasted artificially seasoned; the clean flavors of the ingredients themselves were alive in every dish. It made me sure this is a great Sokcho sundubu spot to visit with parents or children, too.

Why I recommend it for breakfast on a Sokcho trip

If you want an easy-on-the-stomach breakfast during a Sokcho trip, I recommend Yetgoeul Sundubu, a handmade tofu specialist!

• Key points: Handmade tofu made in-house and care-filled cauldron pot rice
• Atmosphere: Open forest views through picture windows, with clean and spacious tables
• Best for: Travelers looking for a great Sokcho breakfast, or anyone wanting to experience a truly proper Sokcho sundubu restaurant!

Be sure to add it to your route on a Sokcho trip and enjoy a satisfying, feel-good meal! (The second-floor café also has great views and good food, plus 10% off with your receipt~ Being able to go from lunch straight to a café gets a thumbs-up too 👍)