10 Best Local Restaurants in Yangyang

Donghae Makguksu is a sizeable Korean restaurant in Yangyang that serves a variety of traditional makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). Buckwheat grows in the mountains of the Gangwon province, making it a local speciality in Yangyang. 

The noodles are chewy and refreshing, and you can order them in 2 ways. Mul makguksu is a mild and refreshing noodle dish in a light beef broth, while bibim makguksu has little or no broth and is topped with a spicy paste.

Gongganae Gamja Ongsimi is a popular local eatery in Yangyang market in the city's centre. The restaurant specialises in gamja ongsimi (traditional Korean potato dumpling soup). Potatoes are grown in the mountainous northeastern region of Gangwon, making them an essential part of the local cuisine.

We highly recommend Gongganae Gamja Ongsimi's ojingeo and ongsimi sundae set. An ojingeo sundae consists of squid tubes stuffed with pork and noodles. Expect a 30- to 40-minute wait if you visit during lunchtime, even on weekdays. 

Changhoesjib is a go-to place for many Yangyang locals when they want to enjoy fresh seafood and a lovely view of Namae Beach. Fresh and locally sourced sashimi is the restaurant's speciality. 

The raw seafood is accompanied by eojukdo (mild fish porridge), maeuntang (spicy fish stew), seaweed stew, grilled sea cucumbers, and other typical Korean side dishes. To avoid a crowded dining room and long waiting times, visit Changhoesjib before or after lunchtime.

Songi Dakgangejong is a small takeaway restaurant tucked away in the traditional Yangyang Market. When locals are willing to queue up outside a restaurant, you know you're in for a treat! Such is the case of this restaurant, which serves filling portions of Korean fried chicken. 

Korean fried chicken is famous for being tender and juicy inside while maintaining a crispy exterior that is smothered in a sweet and spicy gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce. The chicken is served in boxes, making it a great addition to any beach picnic.

Gomchwi Restaurant serves traditional Korean dishes at the southern foothills of Seoraksan National Park, 18 km west of Yangyang city centre. The eatery is well-known for serving sanchae jeongsik – a traditional set meal with dishes made from seasoned wild-growing mountain roots, shoots, and vegetables. The meal comes with rice, which you can mix with the vegetables to make bibimbap (Korean rice bowl). 

Gomchwi's location makes it an excellent place to refuel after a day of hiking in the mountains or after a couple of hours relaxing in the warm, natural baths at the nearby Osaek Hot Spring. 

Chun-sun Restaurant is a small restaurant in the centre of Yangyang specialising in a very local soup called ddugeori-tang. Ddugeori is a freshwater fish that lives in the rivers of Yangyang county. The soup is made by mixing the fish with gochujang (red pepper paste) and boiling it in a pot. 

At Chun-sun Restaurant, each set meal comes with a plate of grilled sweetfish and multiple side dishes. The restaurant is open from early in the morning, making it a great place to eat a nutritious and nourishing breakfast in Yangyang. 

Dalraechon is a restaurant tucked away in a peaceful mountain town called Hawolcheon-ri, 30 km south of Yangyang city centre. Those in the know head here to enjoy the fresh mountain air and vegetarian-friendly dishes made with wild, locally sourced and foraged vegetables. 

There are usually 3 set meals – called yak-sanchae-bapsang – to choose from. Each comes with a variety of side dishes that change depending on the season. Even so, you can expect different medicinal greens, herbs and pine mushrooms (in autumn). Hawolcheon-ri is famous for being a “healing village” and is home to an oriental medical centre, jjimjilbang (traditional Korean bathhouse) and nature walks. 

Sokcho Restaurant is best known for its traditional cuisine native to the Yangyang county. You can order the vegetarian-friendly set meal called sanchae jeongsik, which includes side dishes made from native wild vegetables. You’ll also find hwangtae jeongsik, a soup contaning grilled dried pollack and spicy seasoning. 

For an extra-special local dish that’s considered Yangyang’s “best health food”, order the seopguk. Seopguk is a nutritious soup made by boiling wild-caught mussels with soybean paste and chives. Reservations are required after 7 pm.

Dowonchon is a well-known restaurant in Yangyang where locals come to enjoy a regional speciality called jang kalguksu (spicy noodle soup). The hearty bowl consists of large mussels, buckwheat noodles, zucchini, green onions, and gochujang (hot pepper paste). The soup is accompanied by bean sprouts and different varieties of kimchi.

The restaurant also serves a non-spicy kalguksu, ongsimi (potato dumpling soup) and buckwheat pancakes. Dowonchon is a convenient pitstop for any traveller visiting the region. It's on the main coastal road, around 500 metres from the Yangyang International Airport.

Nagsanga is a friendly and efficient eatery specialising in a traditional Korean soup called galbi-tang. This nourishing soup is made with beef short ribs, radish, and various types of locally foraged mushrooms. The soup is served alongside rice and typical Korean side dishes. 

After your filling meal, you can grab a coffee from a cafe next to Nagsanga or enjoy a stroll along Naksan beach. The beautiful stretch of sand is less than 100 metres away from the restaurant.