Korean restaurant near Gangneung Station for a family gukbap lunch

After arriving in Gangneung with my children, we stopped by Gukbap Cafe Pick Up To You (국밥카페 픽업투유) for lunch before checking in to our hotel. We each ordered one of four gukbap (rice soup) options to suit our tastes, and added tonkatsu for the children.

Can you walk there from Gangneung Station?

It was within walking distance of Gangneung Station. Parking was also available directly in front of the restaurant, which was convenient for us as we were traveling by car.

Is the atmosphere suitable for dining alone?

When I went in, there was no unpleasant meat smell, and the tables and floor were clean. The tidy interior made a good first impression, and I felt it would not be awkward to come alone for a meal.

Can you get coffee to go or buy gifts?

Coffee was available to take out. I also noticed Gangneung gift items; during my visit, Gangneung soju was being sold for ₩10,000.

They were also running a receipt-review promotion during my visit.

What did we order, and how were the side dishes?

We ordered one each of spicy gukbap, Hongcheon Korean beef bone broth, dwaeji-gukbap (pork rice soup), and sundae-gukbap (Korean sausage rice soup).

The basic side dishes arrived soon after we ordered. I liked the kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and kimchi, and the grilled tofu was especially enjoyable because it was seasoned just right. Rather than being noticeably sweet, the kimchi tasted fresh and pleasantly spicy.

How was it for dining with children?

When they saw that we had children, they brought children's tableware and gim (roasted seaweed). The owner and staff were kind, and the spoons were stored neatly as well.

How was the Hongcheon Korean beef bone broth the children ate?

The Hongcheon Korean beef bone broth was the most expensive gukbap we ordered, but the portion was not particularly large, which was disappointing. Still, the broth was nutty and rich, while remaining mild and clean-tasting.

The children enjoyed mixing rice into the beef bone broth. Its rich yet mild taste suited them too.

How did the other three gukbap dishes differ?

What were the fillings and texture of the sundae-gukbap?

The sundae-gukbap was generously filled with glass-noodle sundae, meat sundae, and assorted pork offal. The sausage stayed springy without bursting in the broth. A small addition of perilla seed powder made it nuttier, and there was no unpleasant smell, so I drank the broth too.

What kind of heat did the spicy gukbap have?

The spicy gukbap my husband chose had a full-bodied broth with a pleasantly sharp heat. Chili oil and seasoning blended into the rich broth for a clean spiciness. It was also generously topped with meat, and my husband mixed in a bowl of rice.

Did the dwaeji-gukbap have an unpleasant smell?

I did not notice any unpleasant smell in the dwaeji-gukbap I ate. It had plenty of lean pork for a satisfying chew, while the broth was rich with a clean finish. It left a different impression from the dwaeji-gukbap I had eaten in Busan.

The small ladle that came with the meal also caught my eye.

Were the extra tonkatsu and the overall meal satisfying?

We added one tonkatsu for the children. It had a nice crisp texture, and they enjoyed it.

All four gukbap dishes we had that day tasted deeply flavored, without leaving my mouth feeling heavy afterward. The bone broth portion was disappointing, but the children ate well, and the tableware they provided helped us finish lunch comfortably. Afterward, we headed to check in to our hotel.