A Day of Discoveries in Donghae: Food, Culture, and Coastal Beauty

A fulfilling day spent exploring the beauty of the East Sea (Donghae).
Donghae, Gangwon-do, is a neighboring town close to Samcheok, yet it feels different each season.
Baeksojeong Donghae
200th Store
Located in downtown Cheongok-dong, Donghae, Baeksojeong seems to be a popular restaurant with many positive reviews.
We ordered two dishes:
Cold Soba + Pork Cutlet: ₩14,900
Maze Soba + Ebi-Ten (Shrimp Tempura): ₩14,500
Both were excellent.
The cold soba, topped with a variety of fresh vegetables, had a clean and delicious broth. The pork cutlet was tender and the crispy coating was delightful.

The Maze Soba was also a fantastic combination of toppings, vegetables, and a rich egg yolk.
The tender noodles coated in the flavorful sauce, along with the finely minced meat, created an explosion of flavors in every bite. The noodles were wonderfully chewy.
Dipping the shrimp tempura in condensed milk and enjoying the savory cheese rice cake made for a truly satisfying meal.
Second Visit
Iso Gotaek
Curious to see what Iso Gotaek looked like on a cloudy day, I visited again after only 5 days.

The cloudy weather seemed to enhance the clarity of the scenery. The lush greenery visible through the windows was captivating.
I noticed details I hadn't seen before – unique decorations and a sense of tranquil beauty. The place exuded Korean aesthetics. It felt like a museum or a wealthy family's villa.

As more people arrived, the once quiet space became bustling. We enjoyed some delicious coffee and salt bread before heading out.
Haparang Trail Course 34
(In front of Mukho Lighthouse)
Haparang Trail Mukho
I love cloudy days when the line between the sky and the sea blurs.
While I also appreciate blue skies and the ocean, the sea today was truly exceptional.

The high humidity made it a bit sticky, but the stunning scenery more than made up for it. A white lighthouse, blue roofs, and colorful flowers, combined with the calm, lake-like waves created a picturesque view.

Was this really the Mukho I knew? Today, Mukho felt like my own secret hideaway.
Haparang Trail Course 34
The murals painted throughout the area and the sight of eggplants, pumpkins, and peppers thriving filled me with warmth.
Haparang Trail Course 34
Dokkaebi Sky Valley visible in the distance.

Dokkaebi Sky Valley
You can enjoy thrilling rides like the Giant Slide and Sky Cycle – for a fee, of course! We decided to skip them today.

The brightly painted stairs were charming.
Dog on the Way to Mukho Lighthouse
We met a dog along the way! The owner, an older gentleman, told us he was 10 years old.

He said that after our drive, the dog, knowing how cute he is, wanted to be loved by passersby and wouldn't go home for a long time. How did he know it was a long time?
Because he was still there when we were walking the Haparang Trail earlier! In the same spot.
We were worried and opened the window to check on him, and that's when the owner told us the story! He was a very clever dog!
Dokkaebi Gift Shop
Handmade
Received an Anne of Green Gables Notebook as a Gift
Dokkaebi Gift Shop
I had visited Dokkaebi Gift Shop once before, but had to leave quickly. Today, my friend surprised me with a special notebook.

It's a handmade notebook by an artist who adores Anne of Green Gables.
What special things should I write in this notebook?
Thankful memories, happy thoughts, Bible verses.
Looking at this notebook will remind me of my friend.
A moray eel in a fish tank next to the Dokkaebi Gift Shop. It looked scary! Haha.
Trigo, Donghae
Our second cafe visit of the day. Trigo, located in Pyeongchang, Samcheok, and Donghae.

Thanks to the owner's trendy and stylish interior design, the store is always bustling with people.
I believe the owner also runs Brick Bakers in Gyodong, Samcheok. I always admire the interior design – the harmony of wood and plants, yet it's not simple.
Enjoyed a mango shaved ice while chatting with my friend. Deep and meaningful conversations that allowed us to know each other better.

Trigo, Donghae
I truly cherish these moments. I feel happy and joyful.
Trigo in Donghae, with its ocean view, was also wonderful.
Today, I feel like I experienced another side of Donghae and enjoyed a fulfilling day trip.
A day filled with the warmth of human connection.
Thank you for today!

































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