Best Food To Eat In Jeju: Discover The Island’s Culinary Delights

Jeju Island, also known as the Island of the Gods, is a treasure trove of natural wonders and cultural treasures. But did you know that Jeju is also a food lover’s paradise? From fresh seafood to unique rice dishes and hearty stews, Jeju boasts a diverse culinary scene that is sure to delight your taste buds. In this article, we will explore the best food to eat in Jeju and give you a taste of what this island has to offer.

🍚 Jeju’s Famous Rice Dishes

Jeju Island is known for its unique rice dishes that are both filling and flavorful. One of the most popular rice dishes is heukdwaeji bibimbap, a black pork rice bowl that comes with various vegetables and a spicy sauce. Another must-try is hoe-deopbap, a rice bowl topped with raw fish and vegetables. For a more traditional option, try heukimja-juk, a black sesame porridge that is both sweet and savory.

Heukdwaeji Bibimbap

Heukdwaeji bibimbap is a Jeju specialty that features black pork, a type of pork that is only found on the island. The pork is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other aromatic spices before being grilled to perfection. The rice bowl is then topped with a mix of fresh vegetables, including bean sprouts, carrots, and lettuce. The final touch is a spicy sauce made from gochujang, a fermented chili paste that is a staple in Korean cuisine.

Hoe-deopbap

Hoe-deopbap is a rice bowl that features fresh raw fish as its main ingredient. The fish is sliced into bite-sized pieces and mixed with various vegetables, including cucumber, radish, and seaweed. The dish is then served with a spicy sauce made from gochujang, vinegar, and sesame oil. The result is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Heukimja-juk

Heukimja-juk is a black sesame porridge that is a popular breakfast dish in Jeju. The porridge is made by boiling black sesame seeds, rice, and water until they become a thick, creamy mixture. The porridge is then seasoned with salt, sugar, and soy sauce, and served with various side dishes, including pickled vegetables and fried tofu. The result is a comforting and nutritious meal that is perfect for starting your day.

🐟 Fresh Seafood

Jeju Island is surrounded by the sea, which means that fresh seafood is abundant on the island. Some of the most popular seafood dishes include hoe, raw fish that is sliced thinly and served with various vegetables and sauces, abalone porridge, a hearty soup made with fresh abalone, and godeungeo gui, grilled mackerel that is both juicy and flavorful.

Hoe

Hoe is a Jeju specialty that features fresh, raw fish that is sliced thinly and served with various vegetables and sauces. The most popular type of fish for hoe is olhoe, a type of horse mackerel that is only found in Jeju’s waters. The fish is sliced into thin pieces and served with a mix of vegetables, including lettuce, perilla leaves, and sesame leaves. The dish is then eaten with a spicy sauce made from gochujang, vinegar, and garlic.

Abalone Porridge

Abalone porridge is a hearty soup that is made with fresh abalone, rice, and various vegetables. The abalone is first boiled until it becomes tender and flavorful. The soup is then seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and other spices, and served with rice and a mix of vegetables, including carrots, mushrooms, and onions. The result is a comforting and nutritious meal that is perfect for a cold winter’s day.

Godeungeo Gui

Godeungeo Gui is a grilled mackerel that is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before being grilled to perfection. The fish is juicy and flavorful, and is often served with a side of rice and various vegetables, including kimchi and pickled radish. Godeungeo Gui is a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Jeju Island.

🍲 Hearty Stews

Jeju Island’s harsh climate means that hearty stews are a staple in the island’s cuisine. From galbijjim, a braised beef rib stew, to haemul-tang, a spicy seafood stew, Jeju’s stews are both filling and flavorful.

Galbijjim

Galbijjim is a braised beef rib stew that is slowly cooked until the meat becomes tender and falls off the bone. The stew is seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, and is often served with a side of rice and various vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, and onions. Galbijjim is a perfect comfort food on a cold winter’s day.

Haemul-tang

Haemul-tang is a spicy seafood stew that is made with various types of seafood, including shrimp, squid, and clams. The stew is seasoned with gochujang, garlic, and ginger, and is served with a side of rice and various vegetables, including bean sprouts and green onions. The result is a spicy and satisfying dish that is perfect for seafood lovers.

🍡 Traditional Snacks

Jeju Island has a wide range of traditional snacks that are both delicious and affordable. From hallasan tteok, a rice cake that is filled with sweet bean paste, to hongdaddeok, a sweet pancake that is filled with brown sugar and walnuts, Jeju’s traditional snacks are a must-try for anyone visiting the island.

Hallasan Tteok

Hallasan tteok is a rice cake that is named after Jeju’s famous Hallasan Mountain. The cake is made by steaming glutinous rice flour and then filling it with sweet bean paste. The result is a soft and chewy cake that is both sweet and savory.

Hongdaddeok

Hongdaddeok is a sweet pancake that is filled with brown sugar and walnuts. The pancake is made by mixing glutinous rice flour with brown sugar and water, and then stuffing it with walnuts. The pancake is then fried until it becomes crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Hongdaddeok is a perfect snack for anyone with a sweet tooth.

🍶 Local Beverages

In addition to its delicious food, Jeju Island also has a wide range of unique beverages that are perfect for quenching your thirst. From omija tea, a tea made from magnolia berries, to hallabong juice, a juice made from Jeju’s famous hallabong oranges, Jeju’s beverages are a must-try for anyone visiting the island.

Omija Tea

Omija tea is a tea made from magnolia berries, which are known for their tart and sweet flavor. The tea is often served with honey and is perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Hallabong Juice

Hallabong juice is a juice made from Jeju’s famous hallabong oranges, which are known for their sweet and tangy taste. The juice is often served cold and is perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot summer’s day.

Best Food To Eat In Jeju: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Jeju’s most popular rice dish?

A: Jeju’s most popular rice dish is heukdwaeji bibimbap, a black pork rice bowl that comes with various vegetables and a spicy sauce.

Q: What is Jeju’s most well-known seafood dish?

A: Jeju’s most well-known seafood dish is hoe, raw fish that is sliced thinly and served with various vegetables and sauces.

Q: What is Jeju’s most popular traditional snack?

A: Jeju’s most popular traditional snack is hallasan tteok, a rice cake that is filled with sweet bean paste.

Q: What is Jeju’s most famous beverage?

A: Jeju’s most famous beverage is hallabong juice, a juice made from Jeju’s famous hallabong oranges.

Conclusion

Jeju Island is a food lover’s paradise, with a diverse culinary scene that is sure to delight your taste buds. From unique rice dishes to fresh seafood and hearty stews, Jeju has something for every foodie. While there are many delicious options to choose from, some of the must-try dishes include heukdwaeji bibimbap, hoe, and galbijjim. So the next time you find yourself on Jeju Island, be sure to explore the island’s culinary delights and indulge in some of the best food