Charcoal-Grilled Fish Capturing the Scent of Sokcho's Blue Sea: A Heartwarming Meal at 88 Saengseongui

A Place Where the Ocean's Time is Grilled, 88 Saengseongui (88 Fish Grill)

Every trip to Sokcho (Sokcho) starts with the briny yet heartwarming scent of the sea. As you walk along Jungangbudu-gil (Central Pier Road), there is a place that catches your feet with a savory charcoal aroma that tickles the tip of your nose. It is '88 Saengseongui', a local institution of Sokcho. The scenery, where the rolling waves of Cheongchoho (Cheongcho Lake) mix with the energy of the sea, was enough to whet the appetite even before the meal.

The charm of this place lies in its honesty. Fish caught by the fishermen of Abai Village (Abai Maeul) from the bosom of the East Sea every dawn arrive in the kitchen each morning. Choosing a menu is a luxury. Simply by taking a seat, a set meal of assorted fish is served according to the number of people. From saury, squid, flounder, and swordfish to rockfish, sandfish, mackerel, and herring—about ten types of fish that make you feel full just by hearing their names are served on a tray.

The Aesthetics of Chewy Texture Crafted by Charcoal

It is on a different level from grilled fish made at home. The grilling process you hesitated to do at home for fear of smoke is handled here by expert hands. The 'hissing' sound made as the fish flesh sizzles golden-brown over the hot charcoal might be the most beautiful ASMR during a meal. Charcoal imparts a deep aroma to the fish that gas fire cannot compare to.

While the staff expertly grills the skin to a crisp and the flesh to a succulent state, all we have to do is enjoy the aesthetics of waiting. When you touch it with chopsticks, the white flesh tears along its grain, and the harmony of the light juice and smoky scent that spreads the moment you put it in your mouth is art. Without a trace of fishiness, the original taste of the fish remains intact, and a bowl of rice disappears in no time.

A Hearty Slice of a Sokcho Trip, Tips for Visiting

71, Sokcho Jungangbudu-gil is the address to remember. Because it is near the port, it is a great location to take a walk along the sea before or after your meal. Personally, I like to visit around the time the sun begins to set and the port lights turn on one by one. This is because you can feel both the vibrant energy of the day and the calm atmosphere of the night.

If you plan to look around the neighborhood, taking the Gaetbae (rope ferry) to Abai Village after your meal is a great memory. Walking the streets of Sokcho while feeling the cool sea breeze after a hearty meal is the romance of travel itself. Please note that you can enjoy your meal much more leisurely if you use the weekday daytime hours. It will be remembered not just as a place to solve a meal, but as a time to taste the sincerity of the Sokcho sea.