Where to eat in Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
Gangneung's food runs on tofu, potatoes and chili. Eat soft tofu in Chodang tofu village, fiery jjamppong and jang-kalguksu in the old downtown, chewy potato dumplings near Jungang Market and a plate of cockle bibimbap, then sip traditional tea in a hanok by Gyeongpo Lake.
12 places our guide covers in Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo, with what to order, how long the wait is and how to eat each dish.
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Gamjabau 감자바우
Noodles · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo · Since 1981
A second-floor noodle house near Jungang Market serving Gangwon's two signature comfort foods: chewy potato dumplings (gamja ongsimi) and jang-kalguksu, knife-cut noodles in a spicy soybean-chili broth.
Try: Potato ongsimi
30-60 min wait - 🍗
Baeni Dakgangjeong 배니닭강정
Fried chicken · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
The most famous fried chicken stall in Gangneung Jungang Market: crunchy dakgangjeong glazed in sweet sauce, sold by the box to take away.
Try: Half mild, half spicy
Short wait - 🍲
Cheonil Sikdang 천일식당
Home-style meals · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
A drivers' diner near Gangneung Station that opens at 6 a.m. The favorite is kimchi ppogeuri, a bubbling pot of kimchi stew, with homestyle side dishes.
Try: Kimchi ppogeuri
Locals' pick - 🍲
Donghwa Garden 동화가든
Soups & stews · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
The best-known restaurant in Chodang Tofu Village and the place credited with jjamppong sundubu: Gangneung's soft tofu in a spicy, smoky seafood-noodle broth. Expect a wait.
Try: Original jjamppong sundubu
30-60 min wait 
Eomjine Pojangmacha 엄지네포장마차 본점
Pubs · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
The original home of Gangneung's cockle bibimbap: a big plate of seasoned cockles, half mixed into rice and half left as a side, eaten wrapped in roasted seaweed. A pub-style place with a long reputation.
Try: Cockle bibimbap
30-60 min wait- 🥣
Gangneung Gamja Ongsim 강릉감자옹심 강릉본점
Noodles · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
An old ongsimi house in Imdang-dong that's said to be the first restaurant to sell potato ongsimi commercially. The menu is short: plain ongsimi or ongsimi with noodles.
Try: Potato ongsimi
Locals' pick - 🥣
Geumseong Haejangguk 금성해장국
Soups & stews · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
A tiny morning-only spot for sogogi meorigukbap, beef head soup with rice already in the bowl. It's where Gangneung locals go for breakfast.
Try: Beef head soup with rice
Locals' pick30-60 min wait - 🍜
Hyeongje Kalguksu 형제칼국수
Noodles · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
A small, old-school jang-kalguksu shop across from the Gyodong jjamppong line. You choose your spice level, and locals line up for it.
Try: Jang-kalguksu
Locals' pick30-60 min wait - 🍜
Hyundai Jang Kalguksu 현대장칼국수 본점
Noodles · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
One of Gangneung's best-known jang-kalguksu shops: knife-cut noodles in a red, spicy soybean-chili broth. A clear, mild kalguksu is there for anyone who can't take the heat.
Try: Jang-kalguksu
Short wait - 🍵
Seoji Chogatteul 서지초가뜰
Tearoom · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
A hanok teahouse in the pine woods near Gyeongpo Lake, serving house-made herbal and flower teas and traditional sweets such as ssijongji rice cake.
Try: Ssijongji rice cake
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Todam Sundubu 토담순두부
Home-style meals · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
A homey, old-style tofu house beside the Heo Nanseolheon memorial in Chodang. Locals come for gentle tofu hot pot and warm fresh tofu, without the long lines of the famous spicy places.
Try: Soft tofu hot pot
Short wait - 🍜
Wonjo Gangneung Gyodong Banjeom 원조강릉교동반점 본점
Korean-Chinese · Gangneung Downtown, Chodang & Gyeongpo
The original shop behind Gangneung's famous Gyodong jjamppong: a fiery, smoky seafood noodle soup. It's basically a one-dish restaurant, and the line outside is part of the experience.
Try: Gyodong jjamppong
30-60 min wait