Hometown Jip 고향집

Hometown Jip is a handmade tofu restaurant in Girin-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, where fresh tofu is prepared from scratch every morning before dawn. The signature tofu gui (grilled tofu) is cooked tableside in generous pools of perilla oil - grilling it until slightly crispy creates an outstanding contrast between the golden, crunchy exterior and the silky, nutty interior. The accompanying stir-fried kimchi pairs exceptionally well, making it the most popular order. The tofu jeongol features a mild, clean broth that is gentle on the stomach, while the biji jjigae (soybean pulp stew) has a smooth texture built on a cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste) base, though its subtle traditional fermented aroma may not suit everyone sensitive to such flavors. The menu also includes memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepes) and makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). A self-service banchan bar offers neatly prepared namul (seasoned vegetables) and kimchi for unlimited refills. The yeongyang dolsotbap (nutritious stone pot rice) mixed with namul and doenjang jjigae is another popular way to enjoy the meal. Weekends can bring long waits, though a KakaoTalk queue system is available, and the parking lot is spacious. Located along a main route toward Sokcho and other Gangwon destinations, it makes an ideal stopover for travelers passing through.