Boss Daege (보스대게) in Samcheok, Gangwon-do, is a snow crab restaurant right in front of Samcheok Beach that serves everything as a set: live Russian snow crab, mixed sashimi, squid sundae, butter-grilled prawns, crab-shell fried rice and a seafood ramyeon. We went as a family of four for an early dinner in June 2026, at the end of a day at the beach, and ordered the three-person “Middle Boss” set for 289,000 won. The crab was full of sweet meat, the prawns were a highlight, and three portions were enough for the four of us.
- Name: 삼척보스대게 본점 (Boss Daege, Samcheok main branch)
- Address: 2F, 39 Thematown-gil, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do (강원 삼척시 테마타운길 39 2층) · Google Maps
- Hours: 11:00 to 21:30, break 15:30 to 16:30, last order 20:30, closed on Tuesdays (as listed when we went; check before you go)
- Visited: June 2026, a 4:30 p.m. table booked through Naver, my wife, our two kids and me
- What we ordered: Middle Boss set for three (289,000 won), drinks and an extra bowl of rice. My wife noted the bill as 297,000 won for the set and drinks; I do not know whether the rice is in that figure
- My rating: 4.5 / 5
- Info checked: September 24, 2026
Crab after a day at the beach
We went to Samcheok on a short, last-minute family trip. That day we had been snorkeling at Jangho Harbor and then spent time at Munam Beach, and snow crab was the one meal we did not want to miss before heading home. Boss Daege is on the second floor of a building facing Samcheok Beach, with a big crab sculpture over the sign and a staircase outside decorated with more crabs. There is a terrace with a view of the beach.
Because the trip was sudden, my wife booked on Naver the same day, and the only slot left was 4:30 p.m. That also meant we were given a table at the very back of the room, decorated with crab props, rather than one by the windows. The window tables look out at the sea, so if the view matters to you, book early. We only saw the ocean on the way to the restroom.
The set menu
The menu is short. You order a set by the number of people, and every set has the same dishes; only the number of crabs changes. These were the prices when we went:
| Set | Korean | Snow crabs | Price (won) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Couple set (2 people) | 삼척 보스커플세트 | 1 | 199,000 |
| Middle Boss set (3 people) | 중간 보스 3인 세트 | 2 | 289,000 |
| Big Boss set (4 people) | 빅보스 4인 세트 | 3 | 349,000 |
Each set comes with A-grade live Russian snow crab, mixed seasonal sashimi, squid sundae, butter-grilled king prawns, crab-shell fried rice, seafood ramyeon and a drink. Our kids are in the lower grades of elementary school, so we ordered the set for three, and it was plenty for four. At the end we had three or four crab legs left over. For four adults, the four-person set would make more sense.
Sashimi, squid sundae and side dishes
The first dishes arrive while the crab is being steamed: a platter of mixed sashimi with a lemon slice and a carved carrot flower, squid sundae (ojingeo sundae, squid stuffed with a rice and vegetable filling), sweet and sticky fried chicken bites (dakgangjeong), dipping sauces and small side dishes. There was also a small dish of salted herring roe, which you put on top of the squid sundae.
These were fine rather than special. The sashimi was sliced thin and fresh enough, and the squid sundae came out warm and well filled and tasted like normal squid sundae, though it was good with the herring roe on top. They worked well as something to eat while waiting for the crab, and our daughter, who has recently discovered she likes raw fish, happily ate the sashimi. Because one of our kids does not usually eat much crab, we also ordered a bowl of rice, charged separately from the set, so that he could eat it with the side dishes.
Butter-grilled king prawns
By the entrance there is a flat iron griddle where the staff cook the prawns in butter, and you can smell it as you walk in. The prawns came out large, with butter and a creamy topping on the plate. They were springy and buttery, and my wife said she was tempted to order a second plate. For a dish we had thought of as a side, it was one of the best parts of the meal.
The snow crab
Then the main dish: two steamed snow crabs, already cut up, with the legs laid out around the two shells. The legs and claws were full of meat. When you crack a claw open, the meat fills the shell, and it is moist and sweet. It needs no sauce. My wife has been to crab restaurants where the legs were half empty, and this was not one of them; she liked it more than the crab we had in Sokcho.
Because the crab comes cut, the kids could pick out the meat themselves. There was no fishy taste, and our son, who normally does not eat much crab, ate five legs. The shells were full of the rich crab innards (tomalley), which you can eat with a spoon or use as a dip for the leg meat.
Crab-shell fried rice and ramyeon
To finish, the set brings fried rice served in the crab shells and a pot of seafood ramyeon. The fried rice is made with the crab innards, so it tastes rich and a little salty, and we put the leftover leg meat on top. The ramyeon had crab legs, mussels and prawns in it, a well-flavored broth and chewy noodles. It is not very spicy, and the kids ate it too.
Service and booking
The room was busy, but the staff, a mix of Korean and foreign workers, were quick to clear empty plates and bring anything we ran out of. We did not have to wait for anything. Even the plates and cups were printed with “BOSS CRAB” and a small crab character. If you are going, book ahead on Naver or Catch Table. Without a booking, you may have to wait even in the early evening.
What we paid and what we thought
My wife noted our bill as 297,000 won for the Middle Boss set (289,000 won) and drinks. The extra bowl of rice was charged on top of the set, and I do not know whether it is included in that figure. That is a lot for one dinner, but it is about what a snow crab meal costs, and we did not feel it was overpriced. We went in with modest expectations after reading reviews, and the crab turned out to be very fresh and sweet. The sashimi and squid sundae were ordinary, but the crab and the butter prawns made the meal. I am giving it 4.5 out of 5.
More seafood from Gangwon-do:
- Meoguri Hoetjip, snow crab and sashimi at Daepohang, Sokcho
- Dalbit-e Goeun Sundaeguk, sundae soup for breakfast in Sokcho