Gangneung Korean restaurant Chodang sundubu set: Jeong Eunsuk

A Chodang sundubu set meal found on a Gangneung trip

Chodang sundubu (Gangneung-style soft tofu) is one of those foods you have to eat when you visit Gangneung, right? On this trip, I took my 4-month-old on a staycation at St. John's Hotel in Gangneung and, after wondering where to go, visited Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu (정은숙초당순두부), which kept coming up as a local-recommended spot.

I made a Naver reservation in advance, so we were able to eat comfortably without waiting.

Chodang Premium Table: what comes with it and the price

We ordered the signature Chodang Premium Table (₩25,000). It comes with soft tofu hot pot, a tofu trio, and seasoned grilled codari (semi-dried pollock), and the moment the whole spread arrived, it felt wonderfully generous. For reference, the Chodang Tofu Table is ₩20,000 without the seasoned codari, and I heard that menu was selected as a Gangneung city menu.

Perhaps because the handmade tofu at Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu is made with 100% domestically grown soybeans, the tofu itself was so nutty and soft.

The tofu trio with fermented flounder

What I especially remember is the tofu trio. It pairs gajaemi sikhae (fermented flounder), bossam (boiled pork), and soft tofu, and I heard it was selected as a Gangneung specialty dish. Each part was tasty on its own, but the combination was really good together, so I could see why it is a locally recommended restaurant.

Honestly, I thought all soft tofu might be pretty similar, but the soft tofu hot pot here felt completely different.

With blue crab in it, the broth was deep, clean-tasting, and spicy, almost like a seafood stew. I was a little tired from traveling the day before, but one spoonful of the warm broth settled my stomach and made it feel like a truly satisfying meal.

A Gangneung restaurant that was great with parents

The seasoned grilled codari was not overly seasoned and went nicely with rice, so the whole set was really well balanced. Maybe because they use local ingredients, everything felt fresh and clean overall. My mom, who came with me, was also so pleased that I thought, this is truly a great restaurant to bring your parents to.

The seating was comfortable and the atmosphere was easygoing, so it was also a good place to visit as a family.

I went in with some expectations because this is said to be the only Korean Culinary Master No. 48 in Gangneung, Gangwon, and it was even more delicious than I expected—there is a reason it is so well known. I heard they have also won awards in various competitions while promoting Chodang sundubu. If you are looking for a great Chodang sundubu restaurant on a Gangneung trip, I recommend Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu as a local-recommended spot. It was highly satisfying for a date, a family meal, or an addition to a Gangneung itinerary.