Feed your desire to sample authentic Korean cuisine and feast your eyes upon abundant delicacies at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. Home to everything from bakers and butchers to fishmongers and fresh produce traders, Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is a must-see for those interested in the culinary scene of Jeju Island.
Be prepared for a wave of sights, smells and sounds to hit you the moment you set foot inside the market. Traders tout their goods by screaming prices at the top of their voices in a bid to attract customers. Observe as they engage in lively conversations with locals and appear to handle multiple orders at one time.
At the fish counters you’ll see various species of fish, mollusks and seafood, including huge octopus, either piled up on plates or swimming in tanks. Stall owners are often happy to skin and fillet the fish for customers.
Admire the vivid colors of the fruits and vegetables such as the hallabong, a sweet and sour tangerine native to the island. See mushrooms of all shapes and sizes and watch butchers chop up large joints of meat.
Everyone from vegetarians to meat lovers and sweet-toothed visitors will find snacks to satisfy their appetite. Try steamed buns and dumplings stuffed with fillings such as black pork, hallabong and red beans. Sample braised pig’s trotters, crab croquettes, gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and sashimi. Kimchi (fermented vegetables) and ttteokbokki (stir-fired rice cakes) are other typical Korean dishes on offer.
The market is one of the major attractions of Seogwipo city. It’s less than a 15-minute bus ride from the city’s intercity bus terminal. Drivers can use the market’s metered car park. Nearby is Lee Jung Seob Art Gallery, the house museum of Korean oil painter Lee Jung Seob.
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is open daily, from early in the morning. Some traders accept credit cards, although it’s advisable to bring cash also. If you order food at the market, take a seat at the benches lined up alongside the shops to enjoy your meal and some people-watching.
