The Best Traditional Markets In Jeju

Jeju’s vibrant traditional markets occupy a special place in the island’s culture. Many of the markets are five-day markets — much as the name suggests, they’re held once every five days. As their dates rotate, many sellers travel from market to market across the region. Historically, this movement was an important way to transfer information across the region. Today, the bustling and lively markets are still visited by locals old and young, along with tourists eager to try Jeju specialty street foods such as black pork skewers. Here are some of the best traditional markets on the island.

1. Jeju Minsok Five-day Market (제주민속5일장)

Market

This five-day market is the biggest in Jeju. It has over 1,000 stalls and covers approximately 40,000 square metres of space. You can find everything a local market would have here, and more — from locally grown produce such as garlic and hwanggeum hyang (a type of tangerine unique to Jeju Island), to plants, pets and fortune-tellers. It’s a good place to try out street food (although don’t go too late — the market closes at 7pm) and explore the many stalls. This market differs from other Jeju markets, as it has a Halmang Jangteo — meaning ‘grandma market’ — which is a designated area where women over 65 can sell their wares without paying any rent for the stall. Market dates are the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th days of each month.

2. Seogwipo Hyangto Five-Day Market (서귀포향토오일시장)

Market

This market is located in the arty hub of Seogwipo. Like other five-day markets, you can expect lots of street food and interesting wares, but what sets the Hyangto market apart from others is its emphasis on culture; stalls have a traditional atmosphere, and there are frequent musical performances. A traditional Korean blacksmiths is located in the market for visitors to see, as well as displays of traditional farming equipment. Inside the market is a flea market called Teumeong Jangteo, which is known for street food made of black pork and horse meat. Teumeong Jangteo is also open on Saturdays and Sundays. Hyangto Market is open on the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th and 29th of each month.

3. Dongmun Market (동문재래시장)

Market

Dongmun Market is the place to go for hairtail, hoe (fresh raw fish) and other fish varieties from the well-known fish market. As well as stalls, there are a number of restaurants around Dongmun Market where you can take your freshly purchased fish and have it prepared for you and served with side dishes. Dongmun also sells a number of other goods, including local produce and souvenirs. It’s the oldest local market on the island, and opened in 1945. It’s close to the airport, so great for making last-minute purchases. From March 2018, Dongmun extended its opening hours until midnight, making it into a night market as well as daytime market. The market is open every day except Sundays.

5. Donam Market (도남시장)

Market

This traditional market in Jeju City sells a variety of goods, but it’s especially good for clothes — including traditional hanboks. It’s not a touristic destination, so it is good for clothes shopping at slightly lower prices. There are many inexpensive restaurants and food stalls to sate your hunger, and it’s close to the Sungshin Women’s University shopping district. The stream nearest to the market (leading to Hansung University station) is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in springtime.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.