Rainy weekday lunch, warm yagwanmun tea and deulmemak: Sokcho Topgol

A makguksu spot near Sokcho Beach: Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch

It was a rainy weekday lunch, and for some reason I was craving buckwheat noodles more than usual. Since I was in Sokcho, I figured a cool, nutty bowl of makguksu (buckwheat noodles) was a must, so I headed to Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch.

It's especially close to Sokcho Beach, so it's a great spot to stop by after the beach for a meal. Parking is available right in front of the restaurant, and Sokcho Beach's public parking lot offers 2 hours free, so it was easy to get to even with a car. And on a rainy day like this one, a warm cup of yagwanmun tea paired really well with the nutty buckwheat noodles.

Convenient to visit near Sokcho Beach

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch's proximity to Sokcho Beach made it easy to fit into a travel itinerary. It's a comfortable walking distance after touring the beach, and using the public parking lot takes away the parking worries.

With parking available in front of the restaurant and 2 hours free at the Sokcho Beach public lot, it was a solid option for those with a car. Being on the ground floor also made it easy to visit with kids, and there were high chairs and restrooms inside. It felt like a genuinely convenient Sokcho restaurant for a family trip.

The deulmemak I kept thinking about on a rainy day

The dish I was most looking forward to that day was deulmemak, which is basically perilla oil buckwheat noodles.

True to its reputation as a mecca for Sokcho-style deulmemak, the deep, nutty perilla oil aroma combined with the earthy buckwheat scent hit me from the very first bite. Adding perilla leaf and dried seaweed flakes on top made the combination even better.

The nuttiness of the perilla oil, the buckwheat aroma, the fragrant perilla leaf, and the savory seaweed flakes all came together into a flavor that wasn't overpowering but kept me reaching for more with my chopsticks. They use 100% Bongpyeong buckwheat flour, which really let the distinct buckwheat aroma shine through.

The black noodles are made with a mix of squid ink and reishi/agaricus mushroom, giving them a distinct aroma that was noticeable but not overwhelming — just the right amount. I understood why this is such a popular makguksu spot in Sokcho.

From yagwanmun tea to banchan that pairs perfectly with makguksu

When I sat down, warm yagwanmun tea was already waiting on the table.

Since it was rainy and a bit chilly that day, the warm tea was especially welcome. It had a subtle aroma, making it a nice drink to have before the meal. As you'd expect from a Sokcho makguksu spot, the basic side dishes were seasoned radish strips and radish green kimchi, which paired really well with the buckwheat noodles.

The crunchy radish strips and refreshing radish green kimchi brought the mild, nutty noodles to life even more. Eating the makguksu alone might feel a bit plain, but with these side dishes, I could enjoy it fully to the last bite. The portion was fairly generous too, making it feel like a substantial meal rather than just a light bite.

For families with kids: the kids' set menu

One of the biggest concerns when dining out with kids is what they'll eat. Sokcho Topgol Makguksu has a kids' set menu, which is great for families visiting with children.

The kids' set is jjajangbap topped with a fried egg — a dish kids love, so it was easy to serve without any fuss. High chairs were also available, making it convenient to visit with young children.

It felt like a great spot for a family trip, with adults who love makguksu and kids who love jjajangbap able to eat together happily. It seems like a good choice for anyone looking for a Sokcho makguksu restaurant to visit with kids.

Suyuk that everyone, young and old, can enjoy

I also ordered suyuk (boiled pork) alongside the noodles.

The large size was ₩30,000, which isn't too heavy considering today's dining prices, and the portion was quite generous. What stood out most was that the suyuk came topped with dried radish and seasoned pollack, giving it more variety than just plain meat.

The tender suyuk paired with the texture of the dried radish and the savory seasoned pollack, and it went really well with the makguksu too.

If you're visiting as a family, I'd recommend ordering suyuk along with the makguksu to share, rather than just the noodles alone. It's a dish that pretty much everyone, young and old, can enjoy, so it works well for meals with a larger group too.

A solid meal from late morning

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch opens at 9:30 a.m., which seems great for anyone looking for a late breakfast. When traveling, you sometimes end up eating a bit later after an early start, so the early opening time was convenient.

The menu includes not just deulmemak but also spicy buckwheat noodles, plus you can order an extra-large portion. If you prefer nutty, mild flavors, go for deulmemak; if you like spicy food, the spicy buckwheat noodles are a good choice.

For those who care about portion size, the extra-large option makes for an even more filling meal. This kind of menu range made it easy to pick something even with a group of people with different tastes.

A spacious spot that also works for group gatherings

The restaurant is fairly large, so it seemed good not just for families but for larger groups too. With group dining available for up to 52 people, it could work well for tour bus groups or gatherings. Lot 3 is reserved specifically for tour bus parking, which is worth noting for group travelers.

I heard there's sometimes a wait on weekends because it's so popular, and it was quite busy the day I visited too. Luckily, the food came out fast and there was plenty of staff, so I didn't have to wait as long as expected. There's also a separate waiting area, which makes it more comfortable even during busy hours.

Free corkage is a nice bonus

One thing that personally caught my eye was that corkage is allowed and free. That seems like welcome news for anyone who wants to order makguksu and suyuk together for a relaxed meal.

For those visiting with pets, they can be brought in as long as they stay covered, which is worth noting for pet-traveling readers. Also, since it's on the ground floor, entry is easy, making it comfortable for families or visits with elderly parents.

A meal that tasted even better on a rainy day

It was a weekday lunch, and even though it was raining, I was struck by how many customers were there. I suspect some people, like me, come specifically because rainy days make them crave nutty perilla oil makguksu. Personally, what stayed with me most was the deep perilla oil flavor and buckwheat aroma of the deulmemak, and the combination with perilla leaf and seaweed flakes was really excellent.

Adding the suyuk made it more than enough for a full meal, and since the kids could have their own kids' set, it worked well for a family visit too. If you're looking for a place to eat near Sokcho Beach, this is worth a visit.

If you enjoy nutty perilla oil and the distinct aroma of buckwheat, this is worth remembering as a top spot for perilla oil makguksu in Sokcho.

A place I'll probably think of again on future Sokcho trips

What I enjoyed most on this visit was, without a doubt, the deulmemak.

With noodles made from 100% Bongpyeong buckwheat flour, the earthy buckwheat aroma combined with the deep nuttiness of perilla oil, plus perilla leaf and seaweed flakes, made for a flavor that was full without being overpowering. There's a dedicated menu for visiting with kids, the suyuk portion was generous enough for a family meal out, and the space can accommodate group dining too, making it useful for all kinds of occasions.

Being close to Sokcho Beach makes it easy to fit into a travel route, and having both parking and a waiting area was convenient too. Next time I visit Sokcho, rain or shine, I think deulmemak is the dish that will come to mind again.

If you're looking for a good Sokcho restaurant, or a place to eat with kids near Sokcho Beach, Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch is worth keeping in mind.