If you’re traveling to South Korea’s east coast, Daepo Port Hoe Center (대포항 회센터) in Sokcho is an unmissable culinary adventure. As a bustling hub for ultra-fresh seafood, it offers a raw, authentic glimpse into Korea’s fishing culture. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your itinerary:
🐟 What Makes Daepo Port Special?
Daepo is a working fishing port where daily catches (like squid, octopus, sea urchin, flounder, and crab) are auctioned at dawn. The attached Hoe Center (회센터, “raw fish center”) lets you buy live seafood straight from tanks and eat it immediately at onsite restaurants. Unlike touristy markets, this place is raw, noisy, and real—fishermen hauling nets, ajummas (aunties) haggling over prices, and the briny scent of the sea everywhere.
🚌 Getting There
- From Seoul: Take an express bus to Sokcho (2.5–3 hours). From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, hop on Bus 9 or 9-1 (25 mins; tell the driver “Daepo Hang”/대포항).
- Taxi: A 15-minute ride from downtown Sokcho (₩10,000–15,000/$8–12).
Pro Tip: Arrive by 9 AM to witness the lively fish auctions!
🍣 The Experience: From Tank to Table
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Pick Your Seafood: Wander the ground-floor market stalls. Point at swimming fish, crabs, or abalone in tanks—vendors will weigh and quote prices.
- Must-tries: Ganghoe (강회, marinated raw crab), sashimi platters (hoe/회), and live octopus (sannakji/산낙지).
- Budget: ₩30,000–70,000 ($22–50) for a meal for two.
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Upstairs Restaurants: Take your purchase to a 2nd-floor restaurant. For ₩5,000–10,000 ($4–8) per person, they’ll:
- Prepare your seafood as sashimi, grilled, or in stews.
- Serve endless banchan (side dishes) and maeuntang (spicy fish stew) made from your fish bones.
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Don’t Miss:
- Sannakji Challenge: Try wriggling octopus tentacles (chew thoroughly!).
- Soju Pairing: Locals swear by soju (Korean vodka) with raw fish.
📅 Visitor Tips
- Best Time: June–October for peak seafood variety. Mornings = freshest fish.
- Language: Few vendors speak English—use pointing, gestures, or a translation app.
- Etiquette:
- Haggle gently (prices are usually fair).
- If eating sannakji, laugh off the suction cups sticking to your mouth!
- Nearby Attractions: Walk off your meal at Daepo Beach (5 mins away) or visit Seoraksan National Park.
🌊 Final Thoughts
Daepo Port Hoe Center isn’t just a meal; it’s a cultural immersion. You’ll leave with salty air in your lungs, a belly full of ocean goodness, and a story about the time you ate seafood so fresh it tried to escape your plate. For adventurous foodies, it’s pure magic.
Hungry yet? 😉