Sokcho gamjatang restaurant for a morning hangover cure: Gwandongjip

The last morning of our fun two-day, one-night trip to Sokcho with the girls dawned bright! After hitting the cocktail bar Nushik the night before and then having another round back at our lodging, we headed out to grab a hearty meal before going home — and to soothe our tired stomachs — at Gwandongjip, a restaurant recommended by locals in Sokcho.

This place has been perfecting its broth since 2005, and you can really taste the owner's dedication and know-how! Let me give you my honest review of Gwandongjip, a Sokcho restaurant in Jo-yang-dong near Cheongcho Lake that's perfect for curing a hangover. 🩵

Where is Gwandongjip in Sokcho, and what are its hours and parking?

Gwandongjip is located at 7-8 Seonsa-ro 2-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (Jo-yang-dong 1532-2). Hours are 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00), with a break time from 15:00–17:00, and it's closed every Wednesday.

• Parking: dedicated lot in front of the restaurant
• Amenities: baby chairs available, group reservations possible

It's located near Cheongcho Lake in Jo-yang-dong, so it's very accessible whether you're wrapping up your last day in Sokcho or stopping by for an early lunch.

What is the dining room at Gwandongjip like?

Even though it was early on a Sunday morning, the owner greeted us with a bright smile the moment we walked in, which warmed us up right from the start. The inside of Gwandongjip was overall clean and spacious, with generous spacing between tables, making for a comfortable meal!

With baby chairs well stocked, it's perfect not just for family outings but also for group gatherings or work dinners for nearby office workers. The familiar, cozy atmosphere felt just like visiting my grandmother's place in the countryside — instantly comforting.

Gamjatang or mugeunji ppyeojjim: which to order at Gwandongjip?

We sat down and checked the menu. Besides the deep-flavored gamjatang (pork bone soup), Gwandongjip's aged kimchi braised pork bones and spicy chicken stew are also signature dishes well known among locals. We agonized right up until ordering over whether to get the spicy, tangy aged kimchi braised pork bones or the hot broth gamjatang — but in the end, we went with the classic gamjatang to cure our hangover from the night before!

The story behind the name Gwandongjip

Gwandongjip actually began in 2005 in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do, when the current owner's parents started a restaurant called 'Jeopalgye Gamjatang'! The current owner inherited their parents' precious family business and know-how, and has now reimagined it in their own modern way here in Sokcho. Knowing the parents' long-honed expertise and the owner's evident pride behind the dish made us even more excited to eat!

How do the broth and pork taste in Gwandongjip's gamjatang?

Finally, our generously loaded gamjatang arrived at the table!

It comes out already cooked to a good degree, so you just turn on the burner, let it bubble away, and once the glass noodles and perilla leaves wilt down, it's ready to eat! Even the smell of the simmering broth as steam rose up was something else. I took a big spoonful of the broth and it instantly soothed my stomach. The broth was deep and savory without any heaviness, gently wrapping around my insides.

The meat was so plentiful and tender it fell right off the bone, and the combination of well-seasoned glass noodles, fluffy potatoes, and fragrant perilla leaves was perfect!

Finishing the pot with fried rice

Once you've cleared out the meat and other ingredients, there's an essential step you can never skip!

That's right — K-dessert, fried rice! Made by stir-frying the deeply infused gamjatang broth with seaweed flakes, sesame oil, and vegetables, this fried rice kept going down even when we were already full. Letting the bottom get slightly crisped and scraping it all up made for a clean, completely satisfying finish.

Gwandongjip as a hangover breakfast on your last day in Sokcho

If you're looking for a proper, rich gamjatang or hangover soup restaurant near Jo-yang-dong or Cheongcho Lake in Sokcho, I highly recommend Gwandongjip! The deep broth flavor built on the parents' know-how, the owner's warm hospitality, and the clean, comfortable dining room — everything about this heartfelt restaurant was satisfying.

Be sure to stop by for a hangover-curing meal on your last day in Sokcho! I hope this place keeps thriving even more. 🩵