The 13 Best Restaurants in Jeju Island is a local restaurant list personally recommended by Jeju residents and Koreans who have visited Jeju multiple times. Rather than places only tourists visit, we introduce truly delicious Jeju restaurants divided into three categories: must-eat foods, restaurants with great ambiance, and recommended cafes.
Must-Visit Jeju Island Restaurants
These are restaurants specializing in Jeju's signature local dishes that you absolutely must try when visiting Jeju Island.
1. Suksungdo Hamdeok Branch - Jeju Black Pork Specialist
Suksungdo Hamdeok Branch is a restaurant specializing in aged Jeju black pork, known for its special cuts available in limited quantities daily. Jeju black pork has a firmer texture and deeper flavor than regular pork, making it the number one must-eat food on Jeju Island.
2. 3dae Guksu Main Branch - Meat Noodle Soup Restaurant
3dae Guksu Main Branch is a restaurant that represents the essence of traditional Jeju meat noodle soup. Meat noodle soup topped with boiled pork slices and anchovy broth noodles are the signature dishes, and the pork rice soup is also recommended. It's a popular spot where even locals line up to eat.
Jeju Island Restaurants with Great Ambiance
Here are atmospheric restaurants where you can enjoy a special meal alongside Jeju Island's natural scenery.
3. TomTom Curry - Jeju Ingredient Curry
TomTom Curry is a curry restaurant using locally sourced Jeju ingredients. Mushroom curry and spinach curry are the signature dishes, and the interior exudes a charming Jeju aesthetic.
4. Cafe Ollm JEJU - Seafood Pasta
Cafe Ollm JEJU is a restaurant cafe famous for its octopus and shrimp pasta. Jeju black pork tonkatsu is also a popular menu item, and you can dine while enjoying Jeju's natural scenery from the spacious terrace.
5. Changseungpo Restaurant - Seafood Hot Pot
Changseungpo Restaurant is a seafood hot pot restaurant generously filled with fresh seafood. Side dishes are provided free of charge, and its location near the sea ensures the freshest seafood.
6. Seongsan's Eomong Hoe-jip - Raw Fish & Sashimi
Seongsan's Eomong Hoe-jip is a raw fish restaurant located near Seongsan Ilchulbong, where fresh mackerel sashimi and sweet shrimp sashimi are especially recommended. It's conveniently located for a visit after sightseeing at Seongsan Ilchulbong.
7. Udo Peanut Ice Cream
Udo Peanut Ice Cream is a specialty ice cream that can only be enjoyed on Udo Island near Jeju. Made with locally grown Udo peanuts, it has a rich, nutty flavor and is a must-try when visiting Udo Island.
6 Best Cafes in Jeju Island
Jeju Island is often called the "Island of Cafes" due to its many unique cafes that take advantage of the beautiful natural landscape.
8. Dalchaekppang - Carrot Juice & Cake
Dalchaekppang is a cozy cafe known for its signature juices and cakes made with Jeju-grown carrots. Its simple yet warm atmosphere is part of its charm.
9. Cafe Aooo - Ocean View Cafe
Cafe Aooo is an ocean view cafe boasting a wide-open sea panorama. Hallabong latte is the signature drink, offering the refreshing taste of Jeju tangerines.
10. Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Store
Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R Store is a special Starbucks location famous for its architectural design incorporating Jeju basalt stone. If you love special Starbucks locations in Korea, this is a must-visit.
11. London Bagel Museum Jeju Branch
London Bagel Museum Jeju Branch is the Jeju location of a popular bagel shop famous for its long lines even in Seoul. It features a variety of bagel sandwiches and impressive unique interior design.
12. Fritz Jeju Seongsan Branch & 13. Boryong Bakery
Fritz Jeju Seongsan Branch is a specialty coffee cafe, and Boryong Bakery is a local bakery famous for its hallabong bread and tangerine pastries. If you want to taste desserts made with Jeju specialties, make sure to visit.
When traveling to Jeju Island, having a NAMANE Card ready lets you conveniently handle transportation and payments at cafes and restaurants all with one card. If you're curious about other travel destinations beyond Jeju, we also recommend the Gangneung BTS Pilgrimage Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Are reservations required for Jeju restaurants?
Popular restaurants can have wait times of 30 minutes to over an hour during weekends and lunch hours, so advance reservations are recommended. You can easily make reservations through the 'Reserve' button on the Naver Map app, and the Catch Table app allows foreigners to make reservations in English. Visiting on weekday mornings or after 2 PM typically allows entry without waiting.
Q2. What are the must-eat foods on Jeju Island?
The three essential Jeju foods are grilled black pork, meat noodle soup, and seafood (raw fish). Black pork is a Jeju specialty that can only be enjoyed on the island, and we recommend eating it at specialty restaurants like Suksungdo. Meat noodle soup is a traditional Jeju dish at an affordable price of approximately 8,000–10,000 KRW per serving. For dessert, don't miss Udo peanut ice cream and hallabong bread.
Q3. How do I get around to restaurants on Jeju Island?
Public transportation on Jeju Island is limited, so renting a car or using taxis is recommended. If you don't have a rental car, you can hail a taxi using the KakaoTaxi or Uber app. City buses do operate in Jeju, but the intervals between buses are long, making them inconvenient for traveling between tourist spots. To save on transportation costs, check the transportation card guide in advance.