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Sokcho for First-Time Visitors: Korean Words for Seoraksan and the East Coast
Level
A1
Type
Phrase
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
The express bus pulls into Sokcho and the air already smells like the sea. Seoraksan's peaks sit on one side of town, a long beach on the other, and neither one needs much Korean to enjoy. A handful of words gets you between them without confusion.
Getting There by Bus
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
속초행 주세요 | sok-cho-haeng ju-se-yo | A ticket to Sokcho, please |
우등이요 | u-deung-i-yo | The deluxe seat, please |
몇 시간 걸려요? | myeot si-gan geol-lyeo-yo | How many hours does it take? |
Express buses from Seoul's East Seoul or Express Bus Terminal take about two and a half hours. 우등 is the deluxe tier between standard 일반 seats and the top 프리미엄 tier, and it costs a little more for extra legroom, which matters on a bus this long. Buses arrive at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, near the center of town rather than out on the edge.
Getting to Seoraksan
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
설악산 가는 버스예요? | seo-rak-san ga-neun beo-seu-ye-yo | Does this bus go to Seoraksan? |
케이블카 타고 싶어요 | ke-i-beul-ka ta-go si-peo-yo | I want to ride the cable car |
입장료 얼마예요? | ip-jang-nyo eol-ma-ye-yo | How much is the entrance fee? |
City bus 7 or 7-1 runs between downtown Sokcho and the park entrance roughly every 15 minutes. 케이블카 (cable car) reaches a viewpoint without a full hike, which is worth asking about if the weather or your schedule doesn't allow for the longer trails. Entrance fees are charged per person at a gate near the bus stop, separate from any cable car ticket.
Ordering the Local Seafood
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
오징어순대 | o-jing-eo-sun-dae | stuffed squid |
물회 | mul-hoe | cold raw fish soup |
이거 맵나요? | i-geo maem-na-yo | Is this spicy? |
오징어순대 packs the squid's body with rice, vegetables, and noodles instead of the pork used in regular 순대, and it's specific enough to this coast that most restaurants elsewhere in Korea don't carry it. 물회 mixes raw fish with a cold, slightly sweet-and-sour broth, and versions vary by restaurant in how much spice they add, so 이거 맵나요? is worth asking before you order if you're not used to Korean spice levels.
Finding Abai Village
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
갯배 타는 곳이 어디예요? | gaet-bae ta-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo | Where do I catch the gaetbae? |
오백 원이요 | o-baek won-i-yo | 500 won, please |
갯배 is a small ferry that crosses the narrow channel into Abai Village by having passengers pull a rope hand over hand, since there's no engine. The fare is a flat 500 원, so having exact coins ready saves a trip back to a convenience store for change.
Checking the Weather Before You Pack
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
오늘 날씨 어때요? | o-neul nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo | How's the weather today? |
바람이 세요 | ba-ra-mi se-yo | The wind is strong |
Sokcho's coast catches wind that inland cities like Seoul rarely get, so a jacket that felt unnecessary on the bus can matter within an hour of arriving. 바람이 세요 is what locals say when a beach walk turns into a race back to a café.
The ferry operator holds out a hand for your coin, the rope goes taut, and Abai Village slides into view before you've finished the last spoonful of 물회.