FIRST-HAND KOREA FOOD GUIDE · GANGNEUNG
If you are eating near Gangmun Beach, you do not have to choose between Gangneung's buckwheat noodles and its famous soft tofu. At Gossine, our family skipped the usual makguksu and tried two warm sundubu kalguksu dishes with suyuk instead.
Kkamakjang suyuk and a bowl of corn makgeolli during our family dinner near Gangmun Beach.
If you are visiting Gangmun Beach with children, I would consider the mild perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu plus suyuk rather than ordering only makguksu. It gave us a warm, filling meal, and the children had an easy non-spicy option while the adults could also order the spicy version.
Best for
Families and travelers visiting Gangmun Beach
Area
Gangmun Beach, Gangneung
Our main dishes
Perilla & spicy sundubu kalguksu + suyuk
My take
The warm tofu noodles worked better for us than cold noodles that evening
We came for a Gangneung dinner but did not order the obvious dish
The full Korean name of the restaurant is 강릉 고씨네동해막국수&순두부칼국수 본점.
That name is long even for Koreans, so for an international visitor I would simply remember: Gossine near Gangmun Beach.
The restaurant is best known for makguksu, a Gangwon-style buckwheat noodle dish.
But we had eaten makguksu many times before, and on this visit our family wanted something warm.
So instead of ordering only the signature buckwheat noodles, we chose perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu, spicy sundubu kalguksu, and kkamakjang suyuk.
What worked for our family:
The mild tofu noodles were easy for the children, the spicy noodles gave the adults a completely different flavor, and the warm pork dish in the middle made the meal feel more complete.
The mild tofu noodles were easy for the children, the spicy noodles gave the adults a completely different flavor, and the warm pork dish in the middle made the meal feel more complete.
What is makguksu?
If this is your first trip to Gangwon-do, makguksu (막국수) is a Korean buckwheat noodle dish.
It can be served with cold broth, a spicy sauce, or perilla oil depending on the version.
This restaurant makes several makguksu styles, but makguksu is not the only reason to eat here.
And what is sundubu kalguksu?
Sundubu means very soft tofu, while kalguksu means Korean knife-cut wheat noodles.
Put them together and you get a warm noodle soup with soft tofu.
Gossine serves both a mild, nutty perilla-seed version and a spicy red-broth version.
If you want a more traditional Gangneung tofu meal without noodles, I also wrote a separate guide to Chodang Maetdol Sundubu in Gangneung , where we tried plain soft tofu, a tofu set meal and jjamppong sundubu.
The Gangmun Beach location is one of the biggest reasons to come
The restaurant is directly beside the Gangmun Beach area, so you can combine dinner with a beach walk without driving to another attraction.
25 Changhae-ro 350beon-gil,
Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Korean name:
강릉 고씨네동해막국수&순두부칼국수 본점
Korean address:
강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로350번길 25
Local tip:
For Korea, I would save both Google Maps and one Korean navigation app. Google Maps is easier for many international visitors, while Naver Map or KakaoMap can be more useful for exact Korean business names and local navigation.
For Korea, I would save both Google Maps and one Korean navigation app. Google Maps is easier for many international visitors, while Naver Map or KakaoMap can be more useful for exact Korean business names and local navigation.
If you are building this into a longer coastal itinerary rather than visiting only Gangmun Beach, see my Gangneung & Yangyang family day-trip guide for the route we actually used with our children.
The perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu was the easiest family choice
The mild perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu we ordered.
The first bowl was 들깨순두부칼국수, or perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu.
It came with soft tofu, thick kalguksu noodles and plenty of ground perilla seed.
Perilla soups can sometimes feel heavy by the end of the bowl, but this one felt smoother and cleaner than I expected.
The tofu softened the broth even more, and the noodles made it filling enough for a full meal.
If you are traveling with a child who does not eat spicy Korean food, this is the dish I would look at first.
The spicy version tasted completely different
The spicy sundubu kalguksu had a red broth but was not excessively hot for us.
The second bowl was 얼큰순두부칼국수.
Compared with the mild perilla version, the broth was red, warmer and noticeably spicier.
For us it was not an extreme challenge-level Korean spice, and the soft tofu softened some of the heat.
Spice warning:
"Not extremely spicy for us" does not mean it will feel mild to every visitor. If you rarely eat Korean spicy food, start with the perilla-seed version.
"Not extremely spicy for us" does not mean it will feel mild to every visitor. If you rarely eat Korean spicy food, start with the perilla-seed version.
The suyuk stayed warm on a small tabletop warmer
We also ordered 까막장수육, or kkamakjang suyuk.
Suyuk is sliced boiled pork, usually ordered as a sharing dish rather than one person's main course.
What I liked most here was the serving style. The pork came on a small warmer, so it did not become cold while we were slowly eating with the children.
The corn makgeolli made it feel more like a Gangwon dinner
We also ordered corn makgeolli.
Makgeolli is a traditional Korean alcoholic drink. This corn version was slightly sweet and smooth, and I liked it with the warm pork.
Ours was served in a traditional-style bowl rather than a wine or beer glass.
For first-time makgeolli drinkers:
Makgeolli is alcoholic even though it can taste sweet and easy to drink. If you are driving in Korea, do not drink alcohol.
Makgeolli is alcoholic even though it can taste sweet and easy to drink. If you are driving in Korea, do not drink alcohol.
Menu prices we saw in 2026
| Menu | Korean | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Perilla sundubu kalguksu | 들깨순두부칼국수 | KRW 11,000 |
| Spicy sundubu kalguksu | 얼큰순두부칼국수 | KRW 11,000 |
| Water makguksu | 물막국수 | KRW 10,000 |
| Perilla-oil makguksu | 들기름막국수 | KRW 11,000 |
| Spicy pollock makguksu | 명태식해 비빔막국수 | KRW 12,000 |
| Chodang tofu makguksu | 초당순두부막국수 | KRW 12,000 |
| Kkamakjang suyuk, medium | 까막장수육 중 | KRW 27,000 |
| Kkamakjang suyuk, large | 까막장수육 대 | KRW 37,000 |
Price note:
These were the 2026 prices we recorded. Restaurant prices can change after publication.
These were the 2026 prices we recorded. Restaurant prices can change after publication.
What international visitors should know
- Makguksu is the obvious signature choice, but it is not your only option. The warm tofu noodles worked better for our family that evening.
- The perilla-seed version is the safer option if you avoid spicy food.
- Tofu does not automatically mean vegetarian. Broths and sauces can contain animal or seafood ingredients.
- Suyuk is designed for sharing. It works especially well for two or more people.
- Tipping is not normally expected in Korean restaurants. Pay the amount shown on the bill.
- Keep the Korean restaurant name on your phone. It will help with taxis and Korean navigation apps.
Useful Korean:
들깨순두부칼국수 하나 주세요.
One perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu, please.
얼큰순두부칼국수 하나 주세요.
One spicy sundubu kalguksu, please.
안 매운 메뉴가 뭐예요?
Which dish is not spicy?
아이와 같이 먹을 거예요.
We are eating with a child.
들깨순두부칼국수 하나 주세요.
One perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu, please.
얼큰순두부칼국수 하나 주세요.
One spicy sundubu kalguksu, please.
안 매운 메뉴가 뭐예요?
Which dish is not spicy?
아이와 같이 먹을 거예요.
We are eating with a child.
Gangmun Beach is right outside
One of this restaurant's biggest advantages is location.
After eating, you can walk toward Gangmun Beach without moving the car.
For an international visitor with limited time in Gangneung, that makes the stop much more useful: a Korean meal, a beach walk and nearby shops all fit into the same area.
We also stopped at the souvenir shop next door
We spent more time than expected browsing the small souvenir shop beside the restaurant.
After eating, we went into a small craft and souvenir shop called Ori Dungji (오리둥지), almost next door.
The children looked through postcards, magnets, small accessories and handmade items, and each eventually picked something to buy.
FAQ
What should a foreign visitor order at Gossine?
If you want the restaurant's signature style, try makguksu. If you are with children or prefer a warm meal, I would choose the perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu and add suyuk to share.
Is the perilla sundubu kalguksu spicy?
No. The version we ate was mild and nutty, and it was much easier for our children than the red spicy soup.
Is the spicy sundubu kalguksu very hot?
It had noticeable Korean spice, but we did not find it extreme. Visitors with low spice tolerance should still start with the mild version.
What is suyuk?
Suyuk is sliced boiled pork. It is normally shared at the table rather than ordered as one person's individual main dish.
Is makguksu gluten-free?
Do not assume so. Korean buckwheat noodles can also contain wheat. Ask directly if you have celiac disease or a serious allergy.
Is the restaurant vegetarian-friendly?
Do not assume a dish is vegetarian simply because it contains tofu. Broths, sauces and side dishes may contain meat or seafood ingredients.
Is it good with children?
It worked well for our family. The mild sundubu kalguksu and suyuk gave the children easy options, while the adults could order a spicy dish as well.
Do I need to tip?
No. Tipping is not normally expected at restaurants in South Korea.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, especially if you are already visiting Gangmun Beach.
What I liked was the flexibility. You can order a classic Gangwon makguksu, but you can also choose a warm tofu noodle meal, share pork and make the menu much easier for children.
For our family, the perilla-seed sundubu kalguksu is the dish I would order again first.
If I returned with my family,
I would order the mild sundubu kalguksu again,
add one spicy bowl for the adults,
and share the kkamakjang suyuk in the middle.
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