Taste of Gangneung

Into the Flavors of
KPop Demon Hunters!

The globally trending animation KPop Demon Hunters showcases iconic Korean foods. Scenes of main characters gathering at a soup restaurant to eat gukbap (rice soup) together or setting out plenty of gimbap and snacks before performances showcase K-food's charm. Just as the protagonists gain strength and comfort from food in the series, how about experiencing Korea's warm flavors in Gangneung?

No trip to Gangneung is complete without gukbap. Deep in market alleys, gukbap restaurants bearing traces of time line up, drawing travelers' footsteps. The gukbap you encounter here is more than just a meal—it's warm comfort containing people's lives and memories.

The signature dish is someori gukbap (beef head meat and rice soup). Milky white broth simmered for hours with generous amounts of meat offers a savory yet light taste that never gets old. Variations include sundae gukbap (sundae and rice soup) and dak gukbap (chicken and rice soup) depending on ingredients, with each soup restaurant having its slightly different style. Served in a hot pot to maintain warmth until the end, be careful not to burn yourself while eating.

And kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) cannot be overlooked. When you take a bite of tangy, crispy kkakdugi placed on your gukbap, the flavors of broth, ingredients, and kimchi come together in perfect harmony. Most soup restaurants provide unlimited kimchi and kkakdugi, so you can enjoy a hearty, satisfying meal with just one bowl of gukbap.

Gimbap is Korea's most popular and familiar food. Gimbap, made by placing rice on laver and rolling it with various ingredients like pickled radish, egg, ham, imitation crab, spinach, and burdock root, is beloved by all ages thanks to its simple yet harmonious flavors.

While the classic gimbap stays true to basics, a slight change in ingredients opens up endless variations. Each gimbap restaurant offers its own unique creations—from Beef Gimbap filled with seasoned beef, to Tuna Gimbap harmonizing tuna and mayonnaise, to Spicy Pork Cutlet Gimbap, with crispy pork cutlet topped with a spicy sauce.

In KPop Demon Hunters, one memorable scene shows the protagonist eating a whole roll of gimbap. You can taste the same flavors by eating one neatly cut piece in one bite. To make gimbap tastier, you can't miss pairing it with ramyeon. When savory gimbap meets spicy ramyeon broth, a hearty and satisfying meal is complete. Convenient packaging also makes it perfect for a simple meal during your travels.

Gangneung Jungang Market is an attraction in itself. The lively voices of merchants, the bustling crowds, and the savory aroma of frying food instantly draw you in. Snacks enjoyed on the spot while strolling through the market are another pleasure of Gangneung travel.

Dakgangjeong (deep-fried and braised chicken) is popular for its addictive taste with sweet yet spicy sauce thoroughly coating crispy fried chicken. Hotteok (syrup-filled pancakes) are filled with brown sugar and nuts in chewy dough—when eaten hot, sweet syrup flows out, instantly cheering you up. You can enjoy strolling through the market while eating hotteok served in paper cups.
Embark on a K-food hunt for Gangneung's flavors, alongside the tempting dishes featured in KPop Demon Hunters. It's sure to be a special Gangneung trip.