What to order
The Honghee Strawberry Sorbet tastes like biting the actual fruit, and the Fresh Apple Mango Bingsoo is big enough to split after a market run. Feeling brave? They make a spicy Buldak gelato.
Vincent · South Korea
The story
Before opening Cafe Baekchonri, the owner operated a cycling-themed cafe called 'Yellow Bicycle' in Maegyo-dong, Suwon, where a passion for cycling led to a deep interest in coffee. In August 2022, they opened the original Cafe Baekchonri in Goseong. On February 5, 2026, they expanded to the current location within the Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, which has already seen sales more than double compared to the original Goseong branch.
“"좋은 재료로 음식을 먹으면 양치하고 싶지 않다 — If you eat food made with good ingredients, you don't feel the need to brush your teeth." It's about that clean, lingering finish.”
Owner, Cafe Baekchon Central Market Branch
What they stand for
The owner refuses to use powders or artificial additives like guar gum or stabilizers, prioritizing ingredients that leave the stomach feeling comfortable. They invest 3-5 times more in ingredient costs compared to other gelato shops, sourcing organic milk from Beomsan Farm (Korea's first organic-certified farm) and Sanyang milk from Serim Farm. Every day, they strive to maintain a standard where they feel confident in the quality, never compromising on the integrity of the product.
Behind the signature
The signature menu is the Apple Mango Bingsoo and Sorbet, which uses premium fresh fruit exclusively. The owner personally travels 160km round-trip to source 'Lee Young-don Strawberries' to ensure the highest quality. Because the shop is in a tourist area, they introduced canned products to facilitate easy takeout, a strategy that has significantly boosted sales and maintains the high quality of their signature fruit-based desserts.
Local tip
The shop is located in the Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, tucked away in a spot that might be easy to miss. Enter through the entrance of the Hanaro Mart on the 1st floor (near the coffee factory) and look for the shop right behind Hwangbuja Fried Food. It’s a great stop while exploring the market, and they offer generous tastings that lead to a 70-80% purchase rate.
Seasonal note
The menu rotates with the seasons: spring features cherry blossom gelato made with real petals and beet juice for color, while June brings fresh Shinbi peaches and Jinburyeong blueberries.
For travelers
With a background in cycling and cafe culture, the owner is comfortable communicating with international guests using English phrases like "Real gelato, sorbet, organic milk." They actively offer tastings, which have been a hit, especially with Japanese tourists who praised the cherry blossom and matcha gelatos as being even better than those in Japan.
