Best 5 Eats in Wonju
- ‘Kkachidungji’ — famous for altang (spicy cod-roe stew)
- ‘Mugunghwajip’ in Wonju, Gangwon — a unique delicacy of Korean beef wrapped with scallions
- ‘Hamjibak’ in Wonju — rich, refreshing broths
- ‘Sinchon Makguksu’ in Wonju — cold buckwheat noodles and savory potato dumplings
- ‘Heukdwaeji Sambaek Sikdang’ Wonju Main — a true one-person serving
‘Gangwon Province’ sits close to Seoul and draws visitors to destinations such as Wonju, Gangneung, Sokcho and Yangyang. The region has many mountains higher than 700m (≈ 2,297 ft) and borders the East Sea to the east, making it an ideal getaway. Wonju, in particular, lies near Seoul and offers many great restaurants, so it works well for a day trip. Here are five must-try Wonju spots that feel like a thousand years of flavor in one meal.
‘Kkachidungji’ — famous for altang
Kkachidungji in Wonju has practically become synonymous with altang. The pot arrives brimming with roe and pollock milt, neatly arranged. Boil it up and you get tender roe and a spicy, clean broth that hits the spot. Squid, mussels and clams add depth and variety, making each spoonful more interesting. The place is popular, and the fresh ingredients are obvious to the eye. Because the broth is clean and not overly heavy, it’s perfect as a hangover cure or a satisfying lunch.
See ‘Kkachidungji’ on SikSin ▶
- ▲Location
1731 Chiak-ro, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
- ▲Hours
Tue–Sun 11:00–22:00 (break 14:30–17:00) / Closed every Monday
- ▲Price
Altang ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25)
A unique bite of beef and scallions — ‘Mugunghwajip’ in Wonju, Gangwon
Locals flock to Mugunghwajip for its beef-and-scallion rolls. Thin slices of premium Korean beef are wrapped around scallions and grilled like a kimbap roll. The rolls cook on a shallow iron plate with just a touch of oil. Dip them in a bright orange mustard-and-fruit sauce for a pop of flavor. The beef’s richness pairs perfectly with the scallion’s crunchy freshness — it’s a real treat. Try wrapping a roll in a pickled perilla leaf with cabbage kimchi for an extra layer of flavor. When the meat is done, the pan’s leftover juices are turned into a thick, comforting doenjang jjigae packed with cheonggukjang for a hearty finish. The restaurant grows and sources many of its ingredients directly, so you can trust the quality.
| See ‘Mugunghwajip’ on SikSin
✔Location
59 Jungpyeong-gil, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
✔Hours
Daily 11:00–21:00
✔Prices
Premium Korean beef ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50), Beef scallion roll ₩24,000 (≈ $18.00), Korean beef bulgogi ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25)
‘Hamjibak’ — rich, refreshing broth
Hamjibak is beloved for its deep, clean broth packed with brisket and vegetables. Their spicy gochujang stew bubbles with leeks, zucchini, potatoes and mushrooms alongside generous brisket slices. The vegetables release a savory stock that blends with the beef fat for a balanced, satisfying bowl. The spicy broth is perfect for adding ramen noodles or finishing with fried rice. Pork bulgogi and the gochujang stew pair like a dream, so order them together if you want a complete, comforting meal.
| See ‘Hamjibak’ on SikSin
✔Location
1st floor, 3-1 Bongbawi-gil, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
✔Hours
Mon–Sat 09:00–21:00 (break 15:00–17:00 / last order 20:30) / Closed every Sunday
✔Prices
Brisket gochujang stew ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75) · Brisket doenjang stew ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75) · Old-style tofu stew ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75)
‘Sinchon Makguksu’ — refreshing makguksu and savory ongshimi
Sinchon Makguksu is a local favorite — expect a line, but it moves quickly. Their makguksu gets its charm from a secret sauce, and the chewy buckwheat noodles pair perfectly with ongshimi made only from potatoes for a nutty, satisfying bite. The lightly icy, clean broth balances the noodles, while the slow-simmered ongshimi — potato dumplings combined with buckwheat knife-cut noodles — yields a deep, comforting flavor. It’s worth the short wait.
| See ‘Sinchon Makguksu’ on SikSin
✔Location
1st floor, 1325-16 Chiak-ro, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
✔Hours
Mon–Fri 11:00–20:00 (last order 19:30) / Sat–Sun 11:00–19:30 (last order 19:00)
✔Prices
Cold makguksu ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75) · Spicy mixed makguksu ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75) · Kalguksu with ongshimi ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75)
True single servings — ‘Heukdwaeji Sambaek Sikdang’ Wonju Main
At Heukdwaeji Sambaek Sikdang in Wonju, each person can enjoy a generous 300g (about 10.6 oz) serving of black-pig pork belly. The restaurant serves high-quality, Iberico-style cuts and uses grills that channel smoke downward. Add a clean dining room, plentiful side dishes and a self-serve sauce station, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser. The pork is aged in-house and grilled over strong charcoal for extra tenderness and a nutty, savory finish.
| See ‘Heukdwaeji Sambaek Sikdang’ Wonju Main on SikSin
✔Location
2nd floor, Riverville, 10 Yangji-ro, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
✔Hours
Mon–Sat 16:00–23:00 (last order 22:30) / Closed every Sunday
✔Prices
Black-pig pork belly 300g ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25) · Marinated pork ribs 300g ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25) · Flower-neck cut 180g ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25)
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