Further exploration of Sokcho, a coastal city in ROK

Sokcho - 15 March, 2018

We returned to Sokcho located in Gangwon-do Province via taxi. We had an unexpected free afternoon after rehearsal for Closing Ceremonies was canceled due to rain and colder weather. Olympic Stadium is open and not protected from the elements. 

Sokcho Tourist Fish Market

The City of Sokcho is well known for its fresh and dried fish markets, which attract locals and tourists alike. Select your supper and cook on site or carry home to make your own special dish. 

Within the Fish Market, we found vendors selling buckwheat flour and noodles, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, toys, clothes, and an unusual frozen beer and ice cream float! 

What is your pleasure -- fresh octopus, varieties of crab (snow, king), cuttlefish, ray, sea squirt, sea cucumber, jetting squid, abalone, pen shell, whelk, clams, mackerel, knife fish, sea bass, fat rock fish, huge flounder, cuttlefish sausage, seaweed and oysters? 

From TripAdvisor.com, "But throughout the day, there is on display just about everything that swims, slithers, or sits about under water and is edible - plus a few things that don't exactly look too taste-tempting. Most people go in the evening between 7pm and 9pm to eat and drink."

This afternoon, we selected steamed snow crab with numerous tasty banchan. These small dishes included Dak-gangleon (spicy fried chicken in a sweet sauce), chili radish, fiery small green peppers, kim-chee, soondae (Korean blood sausage), corn salad, lettuce with apple dressing, sweet cabbage and fish cake. Our gracious hostess offered to mix the crab eggs and innards with fried rice. The last course was spicy ramen with vegetables. All dishes were delicious!   

Steamed snow crab anyone? Sweet, no butter needed!

Navigating streets and alleys of Sokcho

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According to Lonely Planet.com, "Sokcho is only about 60km from the border and was part of North Korea from 1945 to the end of the Korean War. Most of the coastline is lined with barbed wire. At night, remember that lights in the water are to attract squid; lights on the beaches are to detect infiltrators."

Reminds me of the famous bull on Wall Street in NYC!

Try fresh octopus for dinner --
Imagine enjoying with spicy sauce!