Top 9 Restaurants Where Kpop Stars Hangout in Jeju Island, South Korea

#jejuisland #Southkorea #koreatravel #Koreanfood #jejurestaurant #jejuhotplace #korearestaurant #koreahotplace #localfoodie

When I first came to Jeju, I didn’t know what to expect from the restaurant scene in Jeju City because I didn’t read Korean:(

Either I was going to be stuck with Starbucks and Outback Steakhouse for the rest of my time in Jeju or I would start learning the basics of Korean vocabulary.

For example, gnocchi is 뇨끼, ciabatta is 치아바타, and etc.

The real fun started when I have foodie/wine collector/avid traveller Jimin who has a sensitive palette that could differentiate the taste between different levels of sweetness of the carrots!

Additionally, thanks to the cafe expert Kate, who has received barista certificate and has explored speciality cafes in Australia, Bali, Singapore, and Korea. She could tell by latte’s foam whether the barista is a pro or a newbie.

As I go through the list of restaurants I have visited, here comes the top 9 picks among the hit restaurants in Jeju City that I would want to go back for a second time.

$: under 2만원

$$: 2만원 - 5 만원

$$$:5 만원 - 8 만원

$$$$: over 8 만원

1. Kohaku

$$$

Perfect for :

Birthdays | Date Night | Special Occasions | Omakase | Eating at the bar

Cuisine: Japanese

Instagram: kohakujeju

This place is THE Omakase place in the 연동 노형동 neighborhoods. What makes it unique is that the chef has an outgoing personality. He felt like the Asian equivalent of Gordon Ramsey who could make cooking into an entertaining reality show. Usually, I expect the dining experience in Japanese restaurant to be calm like a retreat at a spa. This place is definitely not the typical omakase experience you would expect. If you watch the Jiro’s Sushi in Netflix, you would be surprised to find how the vibe here is neither Zen nor conserved. The star chef was cooking while sharing anecdotes about the various kinds of fish and the yummy places he had been recently. It was good information to have because I had always been curious about where chefs go eat. It was my first time having mackerel sushi, which had an alluring red color that showed how fresh it was.

2.Witraisin

$$$

Perfect for:

Date Night | First/ Early in the game dates | Prix fixe | Drinking Good Wine| Small Plates

Cuisine: French

Instagram: witraisin.soho

Witraisin is a perfect spot to have an intimate dining experience with a loved one. The space is airy and chic. Its minimalist interior gives you a feeling as if you are invited to a private gallery opening in Chelsea, NYC. The chef is very attentive to your individual requests. He asked us whether we had any allergies and special needs. The waitress is very attentive and even offer to take pictures for us. The octopus appetizer was fresh and delightful. I love their kitchenware. Our water was served in beakers, which definitely reminded me of my high school chemistry class. The spaghetti was creamy and delicious. Funny thing was their homemade pickled jalapeños. It tasted not spicy at all and we finish them much faster than the chef expected. So he even offered us an extra helping of the divinely sweet jalapeños. The main was duck and steak. The chef did a good job of keeping the meat crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The Basque cheesecake was served as the dessert. Kate thought it would be nice to pair it with an Americano. So the chef gave us hot water as a substitute:) Thanks chef!

3. Danji

$$

Oceanview Dining| Unique Dining Experience | Big Groups | Dinner with Family

Cuisine: Korean

Instagram: jeju_dangi

Danji is a quiet Korean oceanview restaurant located in the 애월 하귀 neighborhood. It serves the 전라도 cuisine that reminds you of the food a mother cooks for her children. All the ingredients are fresh and natural. Therefore, when you taste the side dishes, you can feel the well-being of your body. In Korea, natural food is supposed to have healing qualities like medicine. Therefore, whenever you feel stressed out and need a delicious detox, Danji is the place to be. The restaurant was located right next to the ocean. Nothing is better than having a yummy meal with a loved one while having an amazing view of the beautiful ocean in Jeju. The meals are served in traditional brassware and lacquer tray. You are treating yourself nicely by elevating what seems deceivingly mundane ingredients. This is the art of simplicity.

4. Song Kuche 송쿠쉐

$$

Date Night | First/ Early in the game dates | Prix fixe | Small Plates

Cuisine: French/ German

Instagram: Songkuche_official

If you have some basic concept about economics, you might be interested in how to maximize your utility when deciding among different restaurants of the same costs. Song Kuche is the king of 가성비 cost effectiveness. I couldn’t believe its chef’s lunch was only 25000원. The carrot soup was creamy and fresh. I love how small the portion is. I don’t feel guilty about eating small plates. The restaurant is very popular during lunch time. I felt like as if I stepped into a private party because the tables are quite close to each other. It felt intimate and comfortable because the lighting was ambiance was feminine, dim, and romantic. The The steak was well-cooked and fresh. The waitress did not ask how we wanted our steak. So I guessed the chef has decided what worked best with his ingredients. The dessert was a milk pudding in a shot glass topped with blueberry. With an additional 2000원, you could choose between Americano and Ronnefeldt Winter Dream.

5. 장인의집

$$

Soul Food| Unique Dining Experience | Big Groups | Dinner with Parents| Jeju Local Food

Cuisine: Korean / Jeju Local

Instagram: jangin_jejudo

I was so fascinated by Korean cuisine since I was a child watching 대장금, who cooked for the King from all sorts of ingredients. Thanks to Kate’s recommendation, I had my first 만두전골, dumplings hotpot in Aewol. This place was super popular. When we went in, the place was packed with people. Apparently, it has a cult internet following as how many autographs there are on the wall. It was famous for its unique and creative handmade dumplings that come in four different colors, each with a unique filling: seafood, octopus, black pork, and kimchi. You could also choose among three different soup bases: mushrooms, seafood, seafood and steak. The waiter was attentive and keeps coming to our table to add more soup and explain the recommended process to get the most joy out of it. I highly recommended seafood lovers to come because you could have fun taking the shrimps apart and eating the freshly cooked juicy meat. Also, you could dress in layers to feel cozy when it gets too hot.

6. Writer’s Block

Perfect for : Brunch | Coffee & a Light Bite | Business Meals | Vegetarians| People Watching

$$

Cuisine: Australian

Instagram: writersblock.jeju

Writer’s Block was a full-blown version of an Australian brunch cafe upgraded from the hole-in-the-wall vintage espresso bar Fitzroy. For coffee snobs, you could have authentic Australian style magic coffee here. They use Marketlane beans and recently switched to Candyman espresso beans. This is a heaven for coffee geeks who are always looking for the next best small-batch roast beans. The food was healthy and delicious. Their signature was Vegan Bowl and Chicken Parmesan. If you have a sweet tooth, you might like their Pavlova and caramel Panna Cotta as well. I always love anything with avocado and the cashew nut cream! You could also invite your healthy gym rat friends who would appreciate the pink Himalayan Sea salt on the table. And who doesn’t like a healthy, guilt-free sweet pumpkin soup that has a thick texture like Greek yogurt.

7. Dream Tower- Hotpot

$$$

Perfect for : Birthdays | Date Night | Special Occasions | Unique Dining Experience| Impressing out of towners |Big Groups

Cuisine: Chinese

Instagram: Jejudreamtower

When in boarding school, hotpot was my go-to during Saturday dinners. Our family enjoyed the feeling of togetherness when we eat from the same big pot. You would not be concerned with double dipping when you eat hotpot. Because you are expected to double, triple, quadruple dip it:) The ambience here is the most sophisticated Hotpot experience I have ever had. The interior was contemporary Chinese and even the music was the hit songs in Chinese pop music. Thanks for helping me catch up with the Chinese pop. The best part was the seasoning aisle. I was surprised to find so many options. Since authentic Chinese ingredients are quite rare in Jeju, I had not expected this place to be even better than home. I always like those handmade shrimp balls in the hotpot because the texture is firm but chewy. The meat was fresh and top-class. Only downside was because the restaurant did not have a window, I felt a little stifled while eating. Maybe I will go there wearing a T shirt next time!

8. Dream Tower- Hyatt Hotel Steakhouse

$$$$

Perfect for : Birthdays | Date Night | Special Occasions | Drinking Good Wine | People Watching | Impressing out of towners

Cuisine: American

Instagram: Jejudreamtower

The iconic Jeju dining experience is having a nice steak on the 38th floor in Hyatt Hotel. Nothing compared to the panoramic view here. (Maybe except from the Halla Mountain.) I love the luxe seatings and beautiful white marble tables. The spacious feeling while you are served by the most hospitable staff is why we work so hard during working hours right? To be able to celebrate an achievement, to pamper self and a loved one, to create a precious memory that might last a lifetime. World-class Executive Chef Burton Yi from SW Steakhouse in Wynn Palace and CUT In Marina Bay Sands Singapore serves up signature grilled dishes like Hanwoo beef, Jeju black pork tomahawk, and fresh seafood tower. Put on your best outfit and leave a insta-worthy profile here!

9. 식당마요네즈

$

Perfect for:

Casual weeknight dinner | Dining Solo | Lunch | Eating at the bar

Cuisine: Italian with a Korean Twist

Instagram: yangmayoh

It was a crazily popular pasta restaurant in 노형동, no matter when I go, it is always packed with people and the wait can easily go up to 1hour. When I got my second vaccine shot, I felt so weak and couldn’t even have enough energy to make a salad for myself. That moment I craved for a delicious juicy spaghetti and meatballs. I have a weak spot for tomato sauce and spaghetti. It just feels so right and divinely delicious. There must be something secret in the sauce that makes my mood instantly happy. It is a great restaurant for dining solo. Because you get a chance to sit at the bar and watch the chef cooking, tossing pasta, and juicing lemons. As a kid, I love watching cooking show. There is something magical about the human’s ability to use hands and imagination to turn normal ingredients into something satisfying and memorable. If you love creamy pasta or pilaf, the wait is worthwhile! You could visit the Texture Bakery next door and grab a quiche while you wait for the call from heaven.