Crash Course on What To Eat in Jeju Island (2 of 2)

As promised, the second post to talk about the recommended delicacies you should go for if you are planning on a trip to Jeju Island. It's impressive how this island is packed with specialty dishes that one could try. Here's a ''crash course" on what one should eat in Jeju, to satisfy your taste buds from a foodie (me) to another. Get ready for pictures of delicious food.

Grilled Mackerel (고등어 구아)

Photo credits to the owner

One of the local's favourite type of fish, having it grilled and served with a dash of sea salt brings just the right saltiness you need in a dish. The best season to eat this is during autumn where the fish is said to have more flesh and oil then - making it more appetizing.

This dish is my personal favourite because I love how its simplicity can bring such wonderful taste with a side of seaweed soup, on days when it is not my birthday.

Abalone Porridge (전복죽)

Photo credits to the owner

With seafood being the highlight of the island, it's no surprise that abalone porridge is something to look forward to as well. Abalone may be a privilege to us in Malaysia but not in Jeju. There's a well known eatery that served abalones - raw or grilled, porridge and abalone stone pot rice.

What makes it different from the other porridge, is the way they cook the rice - just the nice amount of heat to simmer the rice with abalone stock and slices of it. The soothing texture is what makes it appetizing for the rice slowly absorbs the stock and blending it together.

Jeju Black pork (제주흑돼지)

(my apologies to my readers who don't consume pork)

Photo credits to the owner

This dish is definitely a famous one where there's even a 'Black Pork Street' in Tapdong where the real deals are - so you can imagine how it is. If you didn't do enough research, you might just end up at a mediocre place and be disappointed about it. Hence, you will still need to do minimum planning for good measure. Better to at least tried them, rather than to have missed it - isn't it?

The taste of black pork is often described as unique for the pork is smoked over burning hay to give it a chewy texture and smoky flavour as you barbecue them. It's meat is also said to be redder which contributes to the different in taste to be more solid and steak-like. Often recommended to go with salted anchovy (mel-jeot) to complement the pork's taste.

Hallabong (한라봉)  

If you have the time to visit a nearby grocery store in Jeju, you will notice that the oranges here are a little different from the ones you would usually see. It is actually a hybrid that began growing since 1998 and it has been used as part of desserts and drinks. A recommended dessert to try is the O'Sulloc Fresh Hallabong Green Tea and of course Hallabong bingsu. 

Other than having it fresh (just like how you would peel an orange), I prefer the Hallabong flavoured ice cream with a dash of cookie crumbs at the side - that would just be perfect combination of sour, sweet with a mix of smooth crunchy texture. 

Photo credits to owner

O'Sulloc Tea Museum (오설록) and Innisfree (이니스프리) Jeju House

Photo credits to the owner

For my last place on the list of recommendations, this is for my tea lover friends especially matcha (green tea) out there. A MUST go for amazingly delicious matcha soft serve and green tea swiss roll. Personally, I'm not fond of matcha taste but this one is definitely an exception. By the time I was done with my first and wanted to go for a second serving, they already run out of stock. 

With tea time done, you could go for a walk around the place as it is a museum. Soon enough you will find yourself at the Innisfree Jeju House as it is just right beside the O'Sulloc museum. There's also a lovely cafe here even though it is actually a store that sells Korean cosmetics using Jeju's very own natural ingredients. There's also a workshop to make your own soap, which I think is a wonderful and practical souvenir to bring home.

That's the end of my crash course on where to go and what to eat on the beautiful island of Jeju. Most of these are based on research and they are definitely on my to-do list during my next visit there. Hope you've got these few places planned in your next trip there!

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P.S

In trying times like this, I find myself doing a lot of writing to pen my thoughts and anything that comes to my mind. I understand that it can get overwhelming given that the future remains uncertain. That's when I thought of writing some kind of travel posts such as this, to keep those memories alive in this way - more than photographs. 

All I'm saying is do what you need to do to keep yourself up. For me, keeping yourself busy and occupied definitely helps to keep such thoughts away or even better, catch up with your friends over video calls. Fill your day with simple and little things to remind yourself of all the good things in life.

Even if all you do is live day to day, know that you are doing great. You should not feel the pressure nor have expectations to be a better person at the end of this pandemic. Do what you need and what you can.

As you enjoy the privilege of staying at home during this pandemic, please keep in mind that others may not have the chance to do so. So let's stay at home for them as we go through this together.


Sending good vibes from me to you. Stay home and safe everyone!


Love, Sara