What is the most famous food in Jeju?

**Jeju black pork** (흑돼지) is the island's most iconic dish. The native pigs are raised on grass and vegetables, producing meat with a richer flavor than mainland Korean pork. It's grilled table-side and eaten with perilla leaves and coarse salt.

Where can I eat haenyeo seafood in Jeju?

Look for **haenyeo houses** (해녀의 집) along the coast — especially near Hamdeok Beach, Seopjikoji, and on Udo Island. These small restaurants buy directly from the divers each morning. The seafood is as fresh as it gets.

Is Jeju food expensive?

Not if you avoid tourist hotspots. Black pork costs **15,000–20,000 KRW per person**, sea urchin bibimbap runs **20,000–25,000 KRW**, and street snacks like bing tteok are just **2,000–3,000 KRW**. Markets and local eateries offer the best value.

Can I buy Jeju tangerines to take home?

Yes — tangerines are allowed on domestic flights within Korea. Buy a bag at Dongmun Market or a roadside farm stand near Seogwipo. Prices are much cheaper at the source than in Seoul supermarkets.

Do Jeju restaurants accept credit cards?

Most restaurants in Jeju City and Seogwipo accept cards. However, smaller haenyeo houses, traditional markets, and roadside stalls are often **cash-only**. Always carry some Korean won when exploring the island.

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Food & Drink

Jeju Food Guide: What & Where to Eat During Your Island Road Trip

By Koro Team·12 min read·June 6, 2026

Jeju is famous for its volcanic landscapes and turquoise coast, but the island's food scene is just as wild. Jeju black pork (흑돼지), freshly caught abalone, and mandarin-orange desserts are staples you'll find everywhere—from seaside shacks to proper restaurants. This guide covers the dishes worth going out of your way for, plus where to find them.

Jeju Black Pork: The One Dish You Can't Leave Without Eating

If you only eat one thing in Jeju, make it black pork (흑돼지). The island's native pigs roam outdoors eating grass and vegetables, giving the meat a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor than regular Korean pork. You grill thick slices at the table, wrap them in perilla leaves with garlic and kimchi, and dip in coarse salt.

The best strip for black pork is Heuk Dwaeji Alley (흑돼지 거리) near Jeju City's Dongmun Market. Restaurants line the whole block—look for places busy with locals, not tour buses. Budget around 15,000–20,000 KRW per person for a full meal with sides.

Korean BBQ pork sizzling on a grill in Jeju, South Korea — Thick-cut black pork grilling table-side — the definitive Jeju meal

Best area: Heuk Dwaeji Alley, Jeju City
Price: 15,000–20,000 KRW per person
What to order: 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) or 목살 (neck cut)
Tip: Ask for 제주 흑돼지 (Jeju heukdwaeji) — it's different from mainland pork

Haenyeo Seafood: Caught This Morning, On Your Plate by Lunch

Haenyeo (해녀) are Jeju's legendary female divers, some well into their 70s and 80s, who free-dive for abalone, sea urchin, conch, and octopus. You can buy their catch directly at seaside haenyeo houses (해녀의 집) dotted along the coast—especially near Hamdeok Beach, Seopjikoji, and Udo Island.

A typical haenyeo platter includes raw abalone (전복), sea urchin on rice (성게비빔밥), and conch with chili paste. It's some of the freshest seafood you'll eat anywhere in Korea. Prices vary: abalone runs 30,000–50,000 KRW for a generous serving, while a sea urchin bibimbap is usually 20,000–25,000 KRW.

Fresh seafood display at a Korean coastal market, including shrimp and shellfish — Coastal seafood markets carry the haenyeo catch daily

Best spots: Hamdeok Beach, Seopjikoji, Udo Island haenyeo houses
Must-try: 성게비빔밥 (sea urchin bibimbap), 전복죽 (abalone porridge)
Best time: Morning for the freshest catch, midday for cooked dishes
Price: 20,000–50,000 KRW depending on seafood type

Jeju Tangerines and Desserts: The Island's Sweetest Side

Jeju grows over 60 varieties of mandarin oranges (귤), and the island takes them seriously. From November through spring, roadside stands sell bags of just-picked tangerines for 3,000–5,000 KRW. But the real fun is in what locals do with them: tangerine soft-serve, tangerine rice cakes, tangerine jam, tangerine makgeolli.

The best place to experience this is Hallim Market or any of the small farm shops along Route 1132 on the island's western side. Many orchards let you pick your own tangerines for a small fee in season. If you're visiting in summer, look for hallabong sorbet—made from Jeju's premium citrus variety.

Lush citrus orchard on Jeju Island, South Korea, with rows of orange tangerine trees — Jeju's tangerine orchards line the island's western coast

Season: Nov–Feb for fresh tangerines; year-round for processed products
Must-try: 귤 소프트아이스크림 (tangerine soft-serve), 한라봉 주스 (hallabong juice)
Buy: Roadside stands near Seogwipo for the freshest fruit
Price: 3,000–5,000 KRW for a bag of tangerines

Other Jeju Dishes Worth Knowing

Okdom-gui (옥돔구이) is grilled Jeju red snapper—salted and dried, then fire-roasted. It's the island's signature fish dish, showing up at breakfast tables and sit-down restaurants alike. You'll also find memil makguksu (메밀막국수), cold buckwheat noodles from Jeju's own buckwheat harvest, which are lighter and earthier than the Gangwon-style version.

For street snacks, look for bing tteok (빙떡), a savory crepe stuffed with seasoned radish—Jeju's own version of a wrap. It's sold at traditional markets like Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market and Jeju Dongmun Market for around 2,000–3,000 KRW each.

Best Markets to Eat Your Way Through Jeju

Two markets stand out for food-focused visitors. Dongmun Market (동문시장) in Jeju City is the oldest traditional market on the island—go for grilled squid, fresh fruit, local snacks, and the classic 오메기떡 (omegi tteok, mochi-like rice cakes). Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (서귀포 매일올레시장) is more compact but packed with local stalls selling bing tteok, raw fish, and seasonal vegetables.

Street food vendor with food cart in Jeju-si, South Korea — Street food vendors are a staple of Jeju's food scene

Dongmun Market: Open daily 8:00–21:00, Jeju City
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market: Open daily 7:00–21:00, Seogwipo
Hallim Market: Saturdays, best for local produce and tangerines
Tip: Go on an empty stomach and graze stall to stall

Quick Tips for Eating in Jeju

1Rent a car — the best haenyeo houses and local restaurants are scattered across the island and unreachable by bus
2Arrive early at popular black pork restaurants; queues form by 6 PM
3Many haenyeo houses are cash-only — bring Korean won
4Dongmun Market's food stalls are open late, making it perfect for a post-drive dinner
5Skip the tourist restaurants near the airport and drive 20 minutes inland for drastically better value

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Jeju's food scene rewards explorers — the best meals are at unremarkable-looking spots a short drive from the tourist trail. Rent a car, follow the locals, and eat your way around the island.