One of Jeju Island’s longest-standing local institutions, the Dongmun Market was established after South Korea’s liberation in 1945. If you visit the market during the day, you’ll notice more of a traditional ambience, with many stallholders selling fresh mackerel, octopus, black pig and abalone, along with handmade clothing, tangerine chocolate, herbs and general lifestyle goods.
However, if you visit the market at night, you’ll notice a significant shift towards more street-food stalls, where you can purchase ready-made traditional snacks, meat skewers and noodle dishes. Stroll around the laneway that crisscross throughout the market to meet the local stallholders, browse the colourful clothing and purchase freshly-grilled prawns.
While you’re on Jeju Island, venture out of the main township to soak up some of the island’s most alluring natural spoils, such as the white-sand Hamdeok Beach or the Heritage-listed Hallasan National Park. The latter features the highest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan.
Getting there
Dongmun Market is located on Jeju Island, best reached by flying into Jeju International Airport and catching one of the Express City Buses to the Dongmun Traditional Market Bus Stop. You can catch local buses, with the journey taking about 20 minutes.