The story
Palpal Hoe Center has been a staple of Daepo Port since 1988, now spanning four generations of family ownership from grandmother to mother, the current representative, and their son. The current representative has over 30 years of experience, having worked in the business since age 20, mastering everything from fish auctions to daily sales. The restaurant expanded with a second location about a year ago to accommodate its long-standing popularity.
“"죽은 것은 절대 쓰지 않습니다. 100% 활어, 활게만 고집합니다." — "We never use dead seafood. We insist on 100% live fish and live crab."”
Owner, Palpal Hoe Center
What they stand for
The restaurant maintains a strict 'live-only' policy, refusing to use dead or frozen seafood, which they believe is easily detectable in the smell and color of steamed crab. They source all natural seafood directly from the East Sea through daily auctions and bidding. When ingredients cannot be sourced locally, they rely on high-quality supplies from Noryangjin to ensure their standards never slip.
Behind the signature
In 1996, the owner developed the 'Crab Set' menu, a concept that revolutionized the local dining scene. Before this, Daepo Port restaurants typically sold sashimi and crab separately, but this set combined crab, sashimi, seafood, side dishes, and spicy fish soup into one experience. This innovation was so successful that it became the standard model for restaurants across Sokcho today.
Local tip
The restaurant is located in Daepo Port. For parking, use the Daepo 1st Public Parking Lot; the restaurant provides a 1.5-hour discount voucher for guests. It is a short walk from the parking area, located near the U-Mart and GS25.
Seasonal note
Seafood service items included in the sets are subject to change based on the season and daily weather conditions to ensure maximum freshness.
For travelers
With many guests from nearby hotels like Casia, Ramada, and Lotte, the staff is well-versed in serving international visitors using body language, translation tools, and basic English terms like 'sashimi' and 'crab.' The owner trains staff to treat foreign guests with exceptional kindness, viewing it as a form of patriotism. One memorable guest was so satisfied with their meal that they returned for three consecutive days.
