Best 3 Must-go Restaurants In Jeju Island
Volcanic mountains, waterfalls, and scenic beaches are among the many reasons Jeju Island is known as the Hawaii of South Korea. Located off the southern tip of the peninsula and just an hour-long flight from Seoul, this rocky and windy island is also known as the “Island of the Gods.” It was created from volcanic eruptions nearly 2 million years ago and has a unique culture and environment that helped make it one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature in 2011.
It’s also easy to get to, with dozens of cheap flights per day from Seoul. That and liberal visa requirements make it one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, according to passenger numbers. Jeju island is packed full of specialty dishes. Surrounded by the sea, fresh seafood is easy to get, and some unique recipes for islanders make Jeju Cuisine exotic to even Korean people. From the famous black pork to abalones plucked fresh from the ocean by Jeju’s very own ‘mermaids’, you might have to digest all day to enjoy the gourmet tour in Jeju island.
1. Sangchunjae
1829-11, Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju
064-725-1557
10:00 – 18:00
Monday Closed
The main menu of this calm and modern restaurant is Bibimbap. Various kinds of topping such as leeks, octopuses, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins are available, which are really rare to find in Seoul. They also have grilled mackerel, and you can order stone pot rice along with the mackerel. Bibimbap costs $10~$15 depending on topping you choose and the grilled mackerel is $15.
The reason this restaurant got so famous is that the chef at this restaurant is known to have worked at the Blue House for several years. I don’t think anyone can doubt the cooking ability of a cook for the president. Food is said to be very neat, not salty, and tastes healthy. If you visit this place, you will be able to taste the proper and healthy Korean food on Jeju Island.
2. Miyoung-yinae Sikdang
770-29, Hamo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
064-792-0077
11:30 – 22:00
Last order 20:30
2nd, 4th Wednesday Closed
This a bit shabby-looking restaurant shop is a really famous mackerel restaurant among Koreans. If you were from a Western country, you wouldn’t be used to eating raw fish. But if you visit Jeju Island, please take the courage to try raw mackerel fish. (Actually, I’ve never tried it before. I have plenty of time to try it later, but this can be your last time in Korea! lol Don’t miss the chance!!)
Mackerel raw fish can be very smelly at bad restaurants, but 1. Mackerel raw fish is really famous in Jeju island, and 2. All of my friends who had mackerel at this restaurant told me that it didn’t smell at all, for real! Furthermore, the white soup made of mackerel served here has a really good reputation that some people say that it’s even more delicious than the main menu, raw fish.
If you are a big fan of Soju (Korean liquor) like me, it won’t be easy to leave this place. This kind of delicious soup will make you keep drinking Soju lol Be careful not to be super drunk.
3. OneunJeong Gimbap
254-6, Seogwi-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
064-762-8927
10:00 – 20:00
This Gimbap restaurant is super famous that you can’t buy one without making a reservation. And even more, it’s really hard to make a reservation because their line is always busy lol I have actually made 64 phone calls to make a reservation, and I succeeded. So I can, with confidence, assure you that you HAVE to eat this Gimbap.
The rice rolled in Gimbap here is seasoned perfectly and has some fried crumbles in it. Some people say that it’s too greasy because of the crumbles, so if you are not a big fan of fried food, you might not like this Gimbap that much! But still, it’s really delicious.
Taeyang of BigBang once said that this Gimbap is what he wants to eat before he dies :O Since it is really hard to make a reservation, so if you safely get the Gimbap, you can think that you are a lucky one 🙂
