Complete Guide to Sokcho Abai Sundae Specialty Restaurants - Cheongho-dong Abai Village & Jungang Market Food Spots Summary

What is Abai Sundae?

Abai Sundae is a special dish created by displaced people who fled from Hamgyeongnam-do to Sokcho during the Korean War, trying to recreate the taste of their hometown. It is a Hamgyeong-do style sundae made by steaming glutinous rice, blood, bracken, cabbage leaves, and bean sprouts stuffed into pig's large intestines. It is characterized by being 2-3 times larger and more generous than regular sundae.

In Sokcho, squid sundae is also famous, which is a unique sundae made using squid easily found on the East Coast. Both types have become representative local foods of Sokcho.

Location and Accessibility of Abai Village

Location: Abai Village, Cheongho-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

Transportation:

• Using Gaetbae: Available through Gaetbae Dock (39, Jungangbudu-gil, Sokcho-si) from Sokcho city center
• By Car: Direct access via Seorak Geumgang Bridge
• Public Transportation: Use Sokcho city bus and walk

Gaetbae Usage Information:

• Operating Hours: Summer (May-Oct) 05:00-23:00, Winter (Nov-Apr) 05:30-22:30
• Fare: One-way Adult 500 KRW, Child 300 KRW
• Travel Time: About 5 minutes
• Feature: A non-powered ferry moved by manually pulling a wire

Representative Abai Sundae Specialty Restaurants

Dancheon Restaurant

Basic Information:

• Address: 17, Abai Village-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
• Business Hours: Daily 08:30-19:00 (Last Order 18:30)
• Parking: Available (Use Abai Village Public Parking Lot)

Signature Menu:

• Abai Sundae Soup: 10,000 KRW
• Squid Sundae: 15,000 KRW (Small)
• Assorted Sundae: 29,000 KRW
• Pollack Sashimi Cold Noodles: 12,000 KRW

Dancheon Restaurant is one of the most famous sundae specialty restaurants in Sokcho's Abai Village. Featured in various TV programs including '1 Night 2 Days', it is so popular that there is often a waiting line even on weekdays. The restaurant boasts a spacious two-story building, with Abai Sundae Soup and Squid Sundae being the signature dishes.

Bukcheong Traditional Abai Sundae 2nd Main Store

Basic Information:

• Address: 71, Abai Village-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Cheongho-dong 903)
• Business Hours: Daily 08:00-22:00
• Parking: Available (Use Public Parking Lot)

Signature Menu:

• Abai Bone Broth Sundae Soup: Main Menu
• Squid Sundae
• Cold Noodles
• Assorted Grilled Fish (Order for 2 or more people)

This is a traditional Abai Sundae specialty restaurant passed down for two generations, with Abai Bone Broth Sundae Soup being particularly famous. You can enjoy both Squid Sundae and Abai Sundae, and it has good accessibility with a large public parking lot.

Yujin's Sundae Soup

Basic Information:

• Address: 27-11, Abai Village-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
• Feature: The only restaurant started by a first-generation displaced person in Abai Village
• Currently: Operated by the second generation

Signature Menu:

• Nurungji Sundae: Popular Menu (Made to order)
• Abai Sundae Soup: Includes head meat
• Seop Soup: Gangwon-do Specialty
• Abai Assorted Sundae
• Red Crab Ramen
• Pollack Sashimi Cold Noodles

Known among locals for its delicious taste, Nurungji Sundae is particularly popular. The chewy squid, crispy nurungji, and pollack sashimi mix create an exquisite taste, and the sundae soup is famous for its clean taste without any off-flavors.

2nd Generation Songlim Sundae House

Basic Information:

• Address: 12, Abai Village-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
• Contact: 033-633-0430
• Business Hours: Weekend 08:00-22:00, Weekday 09:00-21:00
• Feature: Traditional restaurant passed down for two generations, "No charge if not tasty"

Signature Menu:

• Assorted Sundae (Small): 28,000 KRW
• Includes Abai Sundae, Squid Sundae, and Pollack Sashimi
• Red Crab Ramen

Famous as a filming location for the 'Golden Bell' program and '1 Night 2 Days'. The squid sundae, coated in egg batter and fried to a golden brown, is a highlight, and it is served with pollack sashimi and perilla leaves to balance the richness.

Sokcho Jungang Market Abai Sundae Specialty Restaurants

Hyundai Abai Sundae

Basic Information:

• Location: Inside Sokcho Jungang Market
• Feature: Handmade Squid Sundae Specialty
• Accessibility: Available with shopping inside the market

Located inside Sokcho Jungang Market, this Abai Sundae specialty store is famous for its fresh handmade squid sundae. It is popular among tourists as it can be enjoyed with other market food offerings.

Original Donghae Sundae Soup

Location: Sokcho Jungang Market

Feature: Known as Abai Sundae Town, offering a menu with half Abai Sundae and half Squid Sundae

Signature Menu:

• Abai + Squid Sundae: 23,000 KRW
• Sundae Soup

Menu and Price Information

Typical Price Range

Recommended Combinations

• Solo Meal: Single Abai Sundae Soup
• 2-3 People: Assorted Sundae (Small) + Red Crab Ramen
• 4 or More People: Assorted Sundae (Large) + Pollack Sashimi Cold Noodles

Usage Tips and Precautions

Optimal Visit Times

• Weekdays 11 AM-2 PM: Relatively Less Crowded
• Weekends and Holidays: Expect Waiting
• Evening Hours: Some Restaurants May Run Out of Ingredients

Parking Information

• Abai Village: Use Free Public Parking Lot in the Village
• Jungang Market: Market Exclusive Parking (Free with Coupon)
• Using Gaetbae: Use Sokcho City Public Parking Lot and Board Gaetbae

How to Enjoy Deliciously

• Abai Sundae is large, so be careful not to burn the roof of your mouth by taking a big bite
• Dip in sauce or wrap in perilla leaves to reduce greasiness
• Enhance umami by eating with pollack sashimi mix
• Add pepper to sundae soup for enhanced flavor

Nearby Attractions and Linked Tourism

Within Abai Village

• Gaetbae Experience: Experience Sokcho's Unique Transportation
• Autumn in My Heart Filming Location: Drama Set and Photo Zone
• Abai Village Beach: Ocean View and Rest Area
• Displaced People's Mural Street: Historical Murals Throughout the Village

Nearby Tourist Spots

• Sokcho Jungang Market: Various Foods like Dakgangjeong, Sundae
• Sokcho Beach: 10-minute Walk
• Yeonggeumjeong: Famous Sunrise Spot
• Seoraksan National Park: 20-minute Drive

Seasonal Visit Information

Spring-Fall (March-November)

• Normal Gaetbae Operation (05:00-23:00)
• Good Weather for Outdoor Activities
• Recommended Walk on Abai Village Beach

Winter (December-February)

• Shortened Gaetbae Operating Hours (05:30-22:30)
• Possible Suspension of Gaetbae Operation Depending on Weather
• Good Season to Warm Up with Sundae Soup

Cultural Significance and History

Sokcho Abai Sundae is not just a dish but holds historical significance containing the pain of division and the sorrow of displaced people. It was created by displaced people who came down from Hamgyeong-do during the Korean War, longing for the taste of their hometown, and has now become a representative local food of Sokcho.

Abai Village became a nationwide tourist attraction after being featured as a filming location for the KBS drama 'Autumn in My Heart' in 2000, and it is currently preserved as a valuable cultural heritage where one can experience and understand the culture of displaced people.

Detailed Transportation and Accessibility Information

Using Public Transportation

• From Seoul: Intercity Bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Sokcho (2 hours 20 minutes)
• Within Sokcho: Use City Bus and Get Off at Gaetbae Dock

Using Private Car

• Seoul-Sokcho: Use Gyeongchun National Road or Jungang Expressway (About 2 hours 30 minutes)
• Navigation Address: 'Sokcho Abai Village Parking Lot' or 'Cheongho-dong Abai Village, Sokcho-si'

Parking Lot Information

• Free Parking Lot Available within Abai Village
• Ample Parking Space Available Even During Peak Season
• Recommended to Use Sokcho City Public Parking Lot When Using Gaetbae