Gangwon-do Seop refers to the natural mussels harvested from the east coast of South Korea. These mussels are particularly famous in the Gangwon-do region, known for their large size and excellent taste due to the clean seawater and rich nutrients.
Characteristics
- Size and Shape: Gangwon-do seop is larger and has a firmer shell compared to regular mussels, with plump and full flesh.
- Taste and Texture: They have a fresh sea aroma and a chewy texture, with a rich and savory flavor.
Cuisine
Gangwon-do seop is used in various dishes. Some of the representative dishes include:
- Seopguk: A soup made with seop, known for its refreshing and deep flavor. It is also popular as a hangover remedy.
- Steamed and Grilled: Seop can be steamed or grilled, which brings out their natural taste. These simple cooking methods highlight the unique flavor of seop.
- Pasta and Risotto: Seop is also used in Western dishes like pasta and risotto, enhancing the seafood flavor.
Health Benefits
Seop is a nutritious and healthy ingredient.
- Protein: It is a high-protein, low-fat food, aiding in muscle formation and recovery.
- Minerals: Rich in iron, zinc, and selenium, it helps boost the immune system and improves blood circulation.
- Vitamins: It contains a high amount of vitamin B12, beneficial for nerve function and blood health.
Harvesting and Environment
Gangwon-do seop is primarily harvested from clean marine areas. The seawater in this region is low in pollution and rich in nutrients, making it ideal for seop to grow. To maintain freshness, seop is quickly processed and distributed after harvesting, and most of it is naturally harvested.
Storage Methods
Maintaining freshness is crucial for seop.
- Refrigeration: Seop can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Keep it in a sealed container to retain moisture.
- Freezing: For long-term storage, freezing is recommended. You can freeze seop by submerging them in water or by removing the shells and then freezing.
Gangwon-do seop is a regional specialty loved by many, and its rich flavor and nutritional value make it a versatile ingredient in various dishes.
“Sokcho Seopguk Restaurant”
Ttukbaegi Seopguk
The morning after a night of heavy drinking in Sokcho.
I was looking around for a place to cure my hangover and found this unique Sokcho Seopguk restaurant.
I wondered if it was really a good place. After checking reviews and people’s reactions, I thought it was a genuine good spot, so I made time to visit.
Apart from the lack of a parking lot, there was no major downside. (It’s difficult to park right in front of the restaurant. You need to park about 100 meters away on the street.)
It’s a small place with about 10 tables inside, and on a Saturday at lunchtime, it was just at the edge of having a waitlist, with people coming in steadily.
Ttukbaegi Seopguk Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Sokcho-si, Jungang-ro 315, 1st floor
“Location of Sokcho Ttukbaegi Seopguk”
It’s about a 5-minute drive from Dongmyeonghang Port in Sokcho and about a 15-minute drive from Sokcho Central Market. From the Seoraksan Resort complex, it takes about 30 minutes.
The side dishes are self-serve.
You can serve yourself from about six different basic side dishes on large plates, and each one is delicious.
This is how I served mine…
The seaweed salad tasted like it had just been harvested from the sea. The sea scent spread in my mouth. The stir-fried anchovies were savory and tasty, and the stir-fried fish cake was lightly seasoned just right. This seems to be why many people recommend Ttukbaegi Seopguk when asked to name the best Seopguk in Sokcho.
Famous restaurants are known by celebrities too.
Seopguk 15,000 won
Dongtae Tang 12,000 won
Kimchi Pancake, Potato Pancake 10,000 won
Seopguk might seem a bit pricey, but it’s worth it once you try it.
Moreover, since the seop from the East Coast is naturally harvested, it’s rare and fresh, bringing a rich taste and freshness in every bite.
The seopguk came in a ttukbaegi bowl, with the egg mixture perfectly blended, reminiscent of yukgaejang yet delivering a spicy broth flavor I had never tasted before. It was unique in itself!
Introducing this special Sokcho Seopguk restaurant.
There was a generous amount of seop, and the unique broth flavor was an eye-opener the moment it hit my taste buds.
Dongtae Tang
I recommend trying both the seopguk and dongtae tang, as the dongtae tang was also excellent.
It was hard to believe it was just 12,000 won, with ample dongtae fish, roe, and milt, combined with the rich broth and fresh ingredients, it captured my taste perfectly.
The seop from the East Coast displayed at the counter looked naturally harvested, with large sizes and distinct shells.
A place where breakfast is available.
Open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Closed every Sunday.
Review of Ttukbaegi Seopguk, the Sokcho Seopguk restaurant I visited.
[My own money, my own meal review]
✔️If visiting with more than two people, I recommend ordering both the seopguk and dongtae tang.
✔️Since there is no separate parking lot, follow the directions provided outside the store and park along the road by making a right turn.
✔️Many people also order the potato pancake and kimchi pancake, so it might be good to include them as well.
It was a perfect place to cure a hangover, and I’m filled with a desire to visit again.
#SokchoSeopguk
#TtukbaegiSeopguk
#SokchoSeopgukRestaurant
#DongtaeTangIsDeliciousToo