Gangneung souvenir shop at sunset: coffee vs corn sand—Gangneung Sand

Gangneung Sand Main Branch is considered a must-stop for Gangneung travel gifts, a dessert spot famous for the harmony of a crispy bite and sweet cream. It's a perfect place near Ojukheon to pick up souvenir snacks from Gangneung, so let me start the story of Gangneung Sand Main Branch right now.

Where is Gangneung Sand Main Branch, and what does the building look like?

Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a pretty, Greek Santorini-style building that appears after winding along small country roads near Ojukheon in Gangneung. A building this size just popping up on a country lane was amazing to see. So this is where you can buy the famous snack that's called a must-do on a Gangneung trip?!

Visit Gangneung Sand around sunset to see the building lit up

Drive a little further up and you'll meet Gangneung Sand Main Branch, with an exterior that's impressive in itself. I got there just as the sun was going down, so I saw the lovely view of the sunset mixed with the lights.

What's the atmosphere like inside Gangneung Sand Main Branch?

Step into the 1st floor and a Christmas tree full of winter mood greets you. Even as I walked in, I saw another customer leaving with both hands full of Gangneung Sand.

I took the elevator up to the 3rd floor, where the shop interior had a real Santorini feel that caught my eye.

How much does Gangneung Sand cost?

Gangneung Sand Coffee is ₩16,000, and the other flavors such as persimmon, Chodang corn and black sesame are ₩17,000. Prices of the other items sold alongside are below.

• Gangneung Sand Coffee ₩16,000
• Gangneung Sand persimmon, Chodang corn, black sesame and others ₩17,000
• Gangneung breakwater bread ₩10,000
• Neoegero Gotgamlatte (persimmon latte) ₩5,500
• Canned Americano ₩4,000

By the way, the 1st floor is an experience learning room, the counter and shop are on the 2nd floor, and I hear there's an observatory on the 5th floor where you can enjoy the sunset view, so if you have time, do go up to the 5th floor too.

A drink in Santorini-style alley seating

The white tables and blue chairs are so pretty, and the walls have life-size prints of Greek scenery, so it really felt like walking down a Santorini alley. Going just to buy Gangneung Sand as a travel gift is fine, but it also looks like a space where you could stop for a coffee or drink and recharge.

Are there other Gangneung souvenirs besides Gangneung Sand?

Besides Gangneung Sand, the main branch also sells Gangneung coffee tarts and breakwater bread, so you could buy a nice variety of Gangneung souvenir gifts.

The breakwater bread in particular is just ₩10,000, so it seems an easy, no-pressure dessert snack to pick up from Gangneung.

Which Gangneung Sand flavors did I buy?

After some thought, I chose two boxes: coffee and Chodang corn. Honestly I agonized over black sesame versus Chodang corn, but in the end I went with Chodang corn, which is said to divide people less.

Coffee cream is the universal flavor most customers prefer, so that was a definite pick. Two boxes make a great gift: the size, the look and the price are all good.

Coffee vs Chodang corn sand, tasted at home

I brought Gangneung Sand home and ate it as a dessert snack, and it lives up to the hype! Personally I liked the Chodang corn flavor with its corn kernels, but my husband said the coffee cream sand, practically Gangneung Sand's signature, was tastier.

It probably depends on taste, so I'd suggest going to Gangneung Sand Main Branch and choosing after reading the flavor guide. Next time I want to try black sesame too. ^^

What to know before visiting Gangneung Sand Main Branch

Anyway, both the Chodang corn and the coffee were delicious! Note that many similar shops call themselves Gangneung Sand, so make sure you check the main branch's road name, 'Seonggokgoyang-gil 5beonan-gil', before you go. I plan to visit again next time I'm at Ojukheon in Gangneung!