Sokcho local pork rib joint with scallop jeotgal banchan: Kkulkkuine

After visiting Sokcho so many times, at some point I started looking less for the famous spots packed with tourists and more for the places where actual locals go to have dinner.

What is Kkulkkuine near Cheongcho Lake like?

This time I visited Kkulkkuine Charcoal Pork Ribs, not far from Cheongcho Lake. Even though I got there early, there were already families and groups of guys having a soju drink settled in at tables. Seeing that kind of scene gets me excited, you know? It felt less like a restaurant for tourists and more like a spot regulars stop by comfortably.

Kkulkkuine hours, address and parking

• Name: Kkulkkuine Charcoal Pork Ribs
• Address: 86 Joyang-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon, South Korea
• Hours: 17:00–22:30
• Last order: 21:00
• Closed: Every Wednesday
• Parking: Lot right next to the restaurant

When I visited, the sign out front said hours were 5 PM to 10:30 PM. Hours and closed days can change, so I'd recommend checking before you go.

The seating is round-table style, very fitting for a charcoal grill place. There's no separate section for big groups, but the tables aren't spaced too far apart, nor are they crammed together uncomfortably.

Handmade pork ribs, 15,000 won a serving, cut by the owner

Kkulkkuine's handmade pork ribs are domestic pork, 200g for ₩15,000. Looking at the menu, there were quite a few other options too — five-layer pork belly, beef brisket, beef short rib. But since I'd come to a rib place, I ordered the handmade pork ribs. And the moment the meat arrived, one thought hit me immediately.

Ah, this is real ribs.

Unlike the style you commonly see at pork rib places these days, the owner apparently hand-butchers the meat off the bone and seasons it himself.

Even in photos, the texture and shape of the meat look pretty rough-hewn — but that's exactly what gives it that genuine handmade-rib feel.

Grilling over charcoal briquettes: real smoky flavor

Wood charcoal is great, but pork ribs really need that charcoal-fire flavor to shine.

When the seasoned ribs hit the grill and start sizzling, they pick up that distinctive charcoal smokiness — the combination of sweet-savory marinade and smoky flavor was really good. Since it's seasoned meat, it can burn easily, so the key is flipping it often!

Taking a bite of a well-cooked piece, the seasoning wasn't overly strong, and the flavor had soaked all the way through the meat.

Dipping it lightly in the homemade ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste) with a bit of shredded scallion, I just kept eating. Honestly, I forgot about taking photos for a while. The ribs disappeared in no time.

Scallop jeotgal and the self-serve side dish bar

At Kkulkkuine Charcoal Pork Ribs, what stuck with me as much as the meat was the basic banchan (side dishes) spread.

A bit different from the usual pork rib restaurant setup — it comes with scallop jeotgal (salted, fermented scallop), homemade kimchi and ssamjang, shredded scallions, and corn salad, and you can grab more from the self-serve bar if you run out. Add in hot steamed egg and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and you've got a proper full spread.

The doenjang jjigae especially was loaded with tofu and onion, which made me want rice immediately. At places like this, you come for the meat and end up ordering an extra bowl of rice just because of the banchan. I feel like I could finish a whole bowl of rice with just these side dishes, no meat needed!

Looking for a neighborhood pork rib restaurant in Sokcho?

If you're searching for restaurants near Cheongcho Lake and want a comfortable, local Sokcho spot rather than a tourist-focused one, Kkulkkuine Charcoal Pork Ribs is worth remembering. It's not a flashy, dressed-up barbecue place — it's the kind of spot where you grill handmade pork ribs over charcoal and have a soju with it. Above all, the hand-butchered pork ribs with that charcoal smokiness were the clear standout here.

Next time I'm in Sokcho, I'd like to come back and add some naengmyeon (cold noodles) to the meal. If you're near Cheongcho Lake and craving pork ribs, keep this one in mind.