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Abai Village Sokcho South Korea

3.8

·3k reviews·Sokcho-si, South Korea

A historic village with North Korean roots, famous for its unique sundae and a poignant glimpse into Korean history.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Lunchtime

Experience the vibrant restaurant scene

CrowdMedium

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Abai Village Sokcho South Korea

Best Time

Lunchtime

Experience the vibrant restaurant scene

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A historic village with North Korean roots, famous for its unique sundae and a poignant glimpse into Korean history.

3.8

(3k reviews)

"Experience the unique culture and delicious Abai Sundae in this historic village."

TIP

Try the Local Specialties

Don't miss the famous Abai Sundae and squid sundae! Many restaurants offer these unique dishes. 🍽️

Friendly Restaurant Owners

Restaurant owners are friendly and polite, not pushy. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. 🌊

Quick Facts

Rating

3.8 · 2,871 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

Address

550-14 Cheongho-dong, Sokcho-si, South Korea

Website

abai.co.kr

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Abai Sundae & Squid Sundae

Various restaurants throughout the village

Taste the authentic flavors of Abai Sundae and delicious squid sundae, a culinary highlight of the village.

The 'Autumn in My Heart' Filming Site

Various locations within the village

Relive iconic scenes from the beloved Korean drama, 'Autumn in My Heart,' amidst a nostalgic setting.

Manual Drag Boat Ride

Waterway connecting to the mainland

Experience a unique, human-powered boat ride across the water for a charming and memorable journey.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Unique Atmosphere

Abai Village offers a poignant glimpse into Korean history, with residents originally from North Korea. While not a typical tourist hotspot, its unique cultural heritage and relaxed beachside setting make it a worthwhile stop. Be prepared for a strong restaurant presence.

Savor Local Delicacies

The village is renowned for its Abai Sundae (Korean sausage) and squid sundae. Many restaurants line the streets, and while they can be inviting, the atmosphere is generally friendly. Consider trying DanChun restaurant for good food and a welcoming host.

Best Times

When

Lunchtime

Why

Experience the vibrant restaurant scene

Crowd

Medium

When

Afternoons

Why

Relaxing beach walk & boat ride

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Abai Village 📌This is a village where displaced people who took refuge during the Korean War settled in 1950. It is also the filming location of Autumn in my heart. 🗺️Address: 550-14 Cheongho-dong, Sokcho-si Macao Park 📌Dessert cafe 🗺️Address: 4, Jungang-ro 129beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do ⏰Opening hours: 10:00am - 03:00pm. Closed on Tue, Wed. Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market 🗺️Address: 12, J...

korehalal_trip

196 likes • 10.9K views

Try the Local Specialties

Don't miss the famous Abai Sundae and squid sundae! Many restaurants offer these unique dishes. 🍽️

Friendly Restaurant Owners

Restaurant owners are friendly and polite, not pushy. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. 🌊

Did you know that there’s a North Korean Village in South Korea? 🏘 #abaivillage #Gangwondo #visitgangwon Located in Sokcho, Gangwon-do, is Abai Village, a little village where North Korean refugees from the Korean War fled to in order to seek a better life. They have many delicious food such as Abai Sundae, and even North Korean-style food available here. 💙 📍 Address: 122 Cheongho-ro, Sokcho, G...

visitgangwon_en

2.2K likes • 22K views

The North Korean village in South Korea 📍 Abai Village, Sokcho #koreatravel #southkoreatravel #sokcho #gangwondo #abaivillage #discoverkorea #속초여행 #강원도여행 #아바이마을 #아바이순대 #오징어순대

baldbound

94 likes • 4.3K views

Relaxing Beach Walk

Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the beach and soak in the serene coastal views. 🌊

Unique Boat Experience

Take a ride on the manual drag boat for a fun and memorable way to cross the water. ⛵

from the red seorak bridge, sokcho gives you the best of both worlds — the calm cheongho lake, the endless sea, the charm of abai village, and the mountains watching over it all 💙🌊🏔️ #sokcho #seorakbridge #abai #abaiVillage #cheongholake #gangwondo #korea #travelkorea #koreatravel #discoverkorea #visitkorea #koreadaily #southkorea #koreatrip #naturelovers #oceanview #mountainview #coastalvibes #a...

enchantresshaii

9 likes • 748 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Try the Local Specialties

Don't miss the famous Abai Sundae and squid sundae! Many restaurants offer these unique dishes. 🍽️

Friendly Restaurant Owners

Restaurant owners are friendly and polite, not pushy. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. 🌊

Relaxing Beach Walk

Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the beach and soak in the serene coastal views. 🌊

Unique Boat Experience

Take a ride on the manual drag boat for a fun and memorable way to cross the water. ⛵

What Travellers Say

3.8

(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Abai Village offers a unique cultural experience with a poignant history, famous for its distinctive Abai Sundae and squid sundae. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and the charming manual drag boat ride. However, some find the village's primary focus on restaurants overwhelming and note that there isn't much to see beyond the culinary offerings.

"An interesting village but I didn’t find anything too special. Lined with restaurants! It stressful as everyone comes out to ask to to dine in, but everyone was friendly and polite and not pushy."

Rennie Lee

"Nice to walk around the village...many restaurants. We went here for lunch and not for sightseeing. Not much to see except restaurants. Famous for Abai soondae- Korean sausage. Also have squid soondae. Recommend DanChun restaurant. Good food and good host."

Danny Kim

"Abai village is an interesting place. Has a really unique feel to it. The residents and shop owners there are formerly from North Korea, and there is a real sense of history there. I didn't really get to talk to anyone, but everyone in the village was super friendly. And please do try the squid sundae. Absolutely worth it. There was a mom and son shop that sold it and they were very gracious and welcoming."

D. Pops

What People Like

Unique cultural history

Delicious Abai Sundae

Friendly locals

What People Dislike

Overwhelming number of restaurants

Limited sightseeing beyond food

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Abai Village is easily accessible from Sokcho. You can take a short taxi ride or a local bus. Many visitors also opt for the unique experience of crossing the water via the manual drag boat, which connects the village to the mainland near Sokcho Beach.

Abai Village is quite close to Sokcho Beach, often reachable by a short walk or a quick ride on the manual drag boat. It's a convenient addition to a Sokcho itinerary.

The village itself is small and best explored on foot. Walking allows you to fully appreciate the atmosphere and discover its hidden corners.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is no entrance fee to visit Abai Village. You are free to wander through the streets and enjoy the atmosphere.

Abai Village is generally open throughout the day, with most restaurants operating during typical meal times. The village itself doesn't have strict closing hours.

No advance booking is necessary for general entry to Abai Village. If you plan to dine at a specific popular restaurant, it might be wise to check their hours or consider a reservation, especially during peak times.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Beyond the numerous restaurants, you can enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach, experience the unique manual drag boat ride, and soak in the historical atmosphere of a village with roots in North Korea. It's also known as a filming location for 'Autumn in My Heart'.

Abai Village is most famous for its unique cultural heritage, with residents originally from North Korea. It's also renowned for its delicious Abai Sundae and squid sundae, and its connection to the Korean drama 'Autumn in My Heart'.

Yes, Abai Village makes for an excellent and easy day trip from Sokcho. Its proximity and unique offerings provide a distinct experience without requiring a full day.

Abai Village served as a filming location for the popular Korean drama 'Autumn in My Heart.' Visitors can feel the preserved atmosphere of the drama's scenes.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Abai Village is most famous for its Abai Sundae (a type of Korean sausage) and squid sundae. These are must-try local delicacies.

DanChun restaurant is frequently recommended for its good food and friendly host. Many other restaurants also serve the local specialties.

While the village is known for its seafood and meat dishes like sundae, some restaurants may offer simpler side dishes or rice that could be suitable for vegetarians. It's best to inquire directly at the restaurant.

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the unique atmosphere of the village streets, the scenic beach views, and the distinctive manual drag boats. The historical buildings and the seaside offer charming photo opportunities.

Yes, Abai Village offers a unique and photogenic landscape, blending historical elements with coastal scenery. The cultural nuances and the distinct boat rides provide interesting subjects.