Many people visit Sokcho Jungang Market, also known as the Tourist Fishery Market, whenever they come to Sokcho. I am no exception, as I find myself returning to this market every time. The market offers a variety of food and entertainment options, making it particularly bustling on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The newly transformed Sokcho Tourist Fishery Market parking lot has been renovated over the past few years, now spanning two to three floors. Even on weekends, it is packed with cars.
Sokcho Jungang Market, also known as the Tourist Fishery Market, or simply Sokcho Market, is all the same place with different names.
One of the most noticeable shops in the market is Mansuk Dakgangjeong, which is completely covered in white. Due to a past hygiene issue highlighted in the media, the shop has since emphasized cleanliness by adopting an all-white theme.
The market’s dried seafood section is a must-visit, though prices may be comparable to or slightly higher than online. However, some stalls occasionally offer bonuses, so it’s worth searching for hidden gems. Be cautious, as some vendors may still overcharge.
Even on rainy days, the market’s separate roof allows for convenient shopping. Upon exiting the parking lot and entering the main aisle, the first stalls you’ll encounter are the dried seafood vendors.
Recently, many places in the market have started steaming king crabs and red snow crabs on the spot. However, prices can be steep. Red snow crab is often a better value than king crab, and finding a direct sales or all-you-can-eat place outside the market might offer better deals.
Honeycomb ice cream? It’s the first I’ve heard of it. But is it really necessary to eat ice cream at the market?
Corn rice cakes have become popular, with several stalls selling them nearby.
Hongge kimbap and yukjeon kimbap are also notable mentions.
Currently, in Sokcho Jungang Market, nurungji squid sausage seems to be quite popular. It’s interesting to note that they all come from the same factory, meaning the taste is consistent across vendors. Additionally, with the popularity of dakgangjeong, shrimp gangjeong has also appeared, with many vendors selling it.
Despite the market’s modernization, traditional stalls selling vegetables and semi-dried fish are still present. Finding good deals is possible, but prices are not always clearly marked, so careful selection is necessary. Deeper inside the market, there are stalls offering bundles or baskets of goods for 10,000 won, so keep an eye out.
Many stalls sell semi-dried fish and salted seafood. If you need recommendations for places offering good value, feel free to ask in the comments.
The real Mansuk Dakgangjeong shop is all white, as mentioned earlier.
There is a store selling arrowroot juice, where you can sample and purchase it at a reasonable price.
A bakery in the market sells traditional style bread.
There are many stalls selling semi-dried fish.
Inside the market, there are stalls offering seafood in trays or baskets at reasonable prices, located in the block after the dakgangjeong vendors.
The market is crowded on Friday evenings and Saturdays, but it’s less busy on weekdays and Friday afternoons. You can enjoy your shopping more comfortably then.
There are spots within the market where you can enjoy a drink with dakgangjeong or jeon. It’s advisable to park at your accommodation and take a taxi to the market, as parking can be a challenge on weekends.
In the basement of Sokcho Jungang Market, there are fish centers and places to enjoy a drink. Many people are unaware of the seafood market in the basement, which is quite large but not particularly cheap. It might be easier to buy various fish at the Dongmyeonghang fish market.
Another tip: In the central part of Sokcho Jungang Market, there are elderly vendors selling fresh fish and semi-dried fish at reasonable prices. They can be found not on the main aisle, but on inner lanes, and are great for buying fish for spicy soup or grilling.
For detailed information on buying fresh fish and other tips, refer to my blog post on Dongmyeonghang.
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[My Honest Review]
Only one parking ticket can be used. I’m not sure why, but at least the parking fee isn’t too expensive. However, the parking lot at Sokcho Tourist Fishery Market is prone to parking wars on weekends. It’s best to use the parking lot rather than risking a parking ticket on side streets.
Not many people know about the large seafood market in the basement, where you can buy seafood and sashimi. The prices might not be as cheap as expected. Instead, visiting Dongmyeonghang for fresh fish might be more convenient. There’s a blog post on how to get good deals on sashimi at Dongmyeonghang, so check it out.
One more tip: In the central part of Sokcho Jungang Market, besides sashimi, various fish and semi-dried fish are sold by older women at affordable prices. They are found on inner lanes, not the main aisle, and are great for buying fish for soup or grilling.
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