Sokcho bakery: squid ink potato bread, son-grilled jjondeugi, Bultan

Sokcho seems to have so much to see and so much to eat. Today I'm sharing my visit to Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store (속초불탄감자빵 본점), where I bought Sokcho's signature squid ink potato bread and Sokcho squid-flavored jjondeugi (chewy snack).

Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store location and opening hours

Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store is at 34-20 Haksapyeong-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon, on the 1st floor, and it's open daily 09:00–18:00. It's closed every Thursday, and the notice said it would run 09:00–17:00 on Oct 9, Hangul Day. Parking is available.

The whole outer wall of the building is covered in colorful street art, so it feels really hip. The flashy building stands out from far away, so it was easy to find. A cute burnt-potato character mascot greets you at the entrance.

On the wall by the entrance, the benefits of squid ink and potato, the key ingredients, are laid out in an easy-to-read way. According to the sign, squid ink is rich in taurine, melanin and vitamin E, which help with antioxidant action, immunity, cardiovascular health and digestion. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, good for gut health and blood pressure, and they give you solid energy.

Sokcho potato bread prices and the 3-box discount

The most important info: price! One box of Bultan potato bread (4 pieces) is ₩10,000. Buy 3 boxes and you get 10% off, which works out to ₩9,000 per pack. Good to know if you're buying several boxes as gifts.

Beyond potato bread: yuja oranda and squid-flavored jjondeugi (chewy snack sticks)

Besides potato bread, the main store also sells other Sokcho snacks. The yuja (citron) oranda (₩10,000) is made with grain syrup and yuja, so it has a sweet yet refreshing scent, and it's soft rather than hard, so everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy it.

The Sokcho squid-flavored jjondeugi (₩1,000 each / 12 for ₩10,000) is popular too. It's a nostalgic, chewy snack with a real squid flavor. The whole family likes that chewy taste, and I'd recommend it as a snack or with beer.

• Nationwide delivery is available, apparently.
• If you join the review event, they give you one potato bread as a free extra.

There are also various juices, bottled water, and cold bottled beers to wash away your travel fatigue, all lined up to go with the bread.

Inside Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store: interior and seating

Inside, the mood is a warm wood tone, quite different from the hip exterior. The walls are all warm wood panels with soft orange lighting, so it feels cozy and comfortable. Plenty of plush leather sofa seats, for one person or groups, are laid out, perfect for a relaxed break during a trip. On one wall, framed landscape photos are hung tastefully and add a subtle mood.

On one side there's a self-service bar and a microwave, so you can warm up your bread.

How much is the Moosetoy painting experience?

The Moosetoy painting experience at Bultan Gamja costs ₩10,000, and you choose either Museuki or Muspi and paint your own ceramic figure. It's not just a place to eat dessert; it's a café where you can enjoy a fun, unusual activity too.

Pay at the counter and they lend you pens and correction tools. It's perfect for coming with kids, or for leaving a cute memory on a date. Below the counter, photos and autographs from lots of celebrities are packed into a brick display case, and looking through them is surprisingly fun.

Opening the squid ink potato bread at our Sokcho hotel

All packed up in a pretty box! One box of potato bread,

and a set of Sokcho squid-flavored jjondeugi.

Back at the hotel, I opened the Bultan potato bread box. True to its name, it looks black, as if burnt, and they say it uses clean squid ink to get both health and color. The squid ink bread is chewy outside and soft inside. Split it in half and it's packed with fluffy, sweet Korean potato filling, so it tastes mild and nutty.

Inside the box there's also a leaflet, "How to enjoy Bultan potato bread deliciously." It's best bought and eaten the same day, but if it has cooled, microwave it for just 20 seconds. The chewiness and warmth come back, and it tastes like freshly baked bread.

Squid ink potato bread, unique to Sokcho in Gangwon! It's cute and special and, of course, tasty too, so I think it would make a great gift.

Squid-flavored jjondeugi tastes better grilled — my son made them

On the drive back from Sokcho, I gave my tired husband squid-flavored jjondeugi instead of dried squid to keep him from dozing off at the wheel. He enjoyed it and woke right up. When we got home, my son said this kind of snack is better grilled, and he grilled the jjondeugi for us. It was much softer and chewier. Try grilling it, it's a real treat!

If you're visiting Sokcho and want distinctive bread and snacks, I recommend Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store ♡