Sokcho noodle spot: jeonbyeong and pollack-topped makguksu, Topgol

A real makguksu (cold buckwheat noodle) gem in Sokcho. Recommending the must-try menu at Sokcho Topgol Makguksu!

Where is Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch? Near Sokcho Beach and the express bus terminal

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch sits near Sokcho Beach. It's also close to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, so it's super convenient to drop by right after getting off the bus!

Inside, there were plenty of tables and the place was kept clean and comfortable!

True to a makguksu specialty restaurant, they sell a variety of makguksu.

The menu and ordering at the table kiosk

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu's menu board. Besides makguksu, they also sell some great side dishes. Especially that giant potato pancake — a lot of people were ordering it, and I was curious too, but I passed on it this time..!

Anyway, you order through the kiosk on the table.

A gorgeous spread of makguksu arrived in no time..!

How is the perilla oil makguksu? Perilla leaf, perilla seeds, seaweed and a pool of perilla oil

The perilla oil makguksu had perilla leaf, perilla seeds, and seaweed lined up neatly in a row — such a satisfying sight. The nutty smell of perilla oil hit me the second it arrived..!

Wow, this is insanely nutty with crazy umami. The rich, nutty flavor plus the fragrant scent of perilla leaf — this really is paradise. They were generous with the perilla oil too, so there's a good pool of it at the bottom — mix it in as you eat and you can totally get drunk on perilla oil.

Solo-size suyuk and seasoned pollack salad, piled on top for pollack makguksu

The solo-size suyuk (boiled pork) portion was surprisingly generous, thick slices of meat..! Below is the pollack salad they sell as a side. And since the seasoned pollack salad is so good, there was no way I could skip ordering it.

How good do you think it is to pile this spicy, salty pollack salad on top of the soft, tender suyuk? The combo of makguksu, suyuk, and pollack salad speaks for itself!

Then I put pollack salad on the makguksu too, eating them together.. This is how you make pollack salad makguksu!

Buckwheat jeonbyeong: a thick side stuffed with kimchi, glass noodles and pork

I was eating a bit when the buckwheat jeonbyeong (buckwheat pancake roll) arrived, so I took another close-up shot..

The buckwheat jeonbyeong looked very thick and hearty too.

This was insanely good. It was so packed inside with kimchi, glass noodles, and meat that the filling spilled out with every bite lol. Anyway, the seasoning was nicely spicy-salty, and pairing it with the pickled onion that came alongside made it an even better combo. Personally, I couldn't decide which was better — this or the suyuk — both were amazing sides..!

How to finish the noodles with dongchimi broth poured over

For reference, the makguksu comes with dongchimi (watery radish kimchi) broth on the side, and apparently if you eat about half and then pour the broth in, you get an entirely different, delicious makguksu..!

So I actually tried pouring it in, and the tangy, refreshing dongchimi broth gave the perilla oil makguksu a whole new appeal. Personally, I really enjoyed eating it this way too!

The receipt photo booth on the way out

After a delicious meal, I checked out the receipt photo booth on the way out ~ isn't this exactly the kind of thing that becomes a travel memory? Don't miss taking a receipt photo! Mission accomplished — a great combo meal at a makguksu spot in Sokcho!

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch, a real makguksu gem in Sokcho. Close to Sokcho Beach, packed with great menu items — when you think of Sokcho, you think of makguksu, and there's no reason not to visit!