Chilsimni Food Street
Sharon Harris
The food street was relatively deserted, compared to a typical food street in a city. Most of the restaurants looked empty of customers although it was a public holiday. We were looking for a restaurant that has both tourists and locals in it (a sign of good and decent food). Plus it must accept credit cards since we were short on Korean currency. Two Asian woman hikers, with their backpacks and all, appeared from a side street and went into one of the seafood restaurants that had some customers in it. We followed. After confirming that the restaurant accepts credit cards, we went in as well.
The grilled fish was yummy. So was the deep fried fish bones (Brown stuff in the picture above). They were crunchy like biscuits. We finished everything.
Then came the side dishes. These were raw seafood that were to be eaten with soya source, wasabi and/or hot dipping sauce. And of course, soju or Korean rice wine is a must to go with these.
Sashimi is best eaten with wasabi and soya sauce. We could not finish our sashimi as it was just too much for two persons. So we cooked some the slices in the hot pot that was served later as we had too much of the raw stuff.
The 2 Asian woman hikers that came in before us sat in a table behind us . They also ordered a similar set and could not finishe their sashimi as well. And they cooked their sashimi in their hot pot too!
Walk northwards from Dongmun Market along the Sanjicheon Stream towards the sea. You will see a port area with many fishing boats. Turn left and go a couple of streets down. (Look for C&U convenience store and take the street behind it). You will see a long sea wall and a row of seafood restaurants.
The fish was nice and fresh, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture! There was no fishy taste at all, especially after you dip the fish slices in the gochujang (red-pepper paste) provided on the side, add a sliver of garlic and wrap it all up in a lettuce or perilla leaf. Yums! Unfortunately, could not eat like that every night as hue tends to be expensive. A large plate like that set me back 30,000 won. (This was another case of restaurants offering min 2-pax serving sizes, although in this case I found the platter of fish and rice with side dishes just nice to fill my hungry tummy).
Where: Jeju Halmang Ttukbaegi restaurant (GPS ref: 733-9934). It is located along Chilsimni food street, between Jeongbang and Cheonjiyeon waterfall, in Seogwipo. See signboard below, showing the map of Chilsimni food street.
The two restaurants above, where I had the hue and jorim are found in Jeju-si, or Jeju City, in the northern part of Jeju Island. On another day, I ventured to Seogwipi-si, a city on the southern part of the island. I took a cab from Seogwipo main bus terminal. Took me abt 5-10 mins and cost around 5000 won. The restaurant helped to call for a cab to take me back to the bus terminal.
Chilsimni Food Specialty Street is designated as a food specialty street with a length of about 1.2 km from Cheonjiyeon Square in Seogwipo City to the Seobok Exhibition Hall at the entrance of Jeongbang Falls, where you can enjoy the beautiful seascape of Seogwipo and enjoy fresh sashimi and silver cutlass dishes with differentiated services at a low price. Because it is located close to Seogwipo Port, it has the advantage that you can taste fresh seafood dishes throughout the four seasons. After your meal, we recommend that you finish your day by sitting at Jaguri Park in the middle of the street and watching the glittering waters off Seogwipo.
Recently I visited the Jeju Island on my vacation to South Korea. The island is often described as the Hawaii of South Korea because of how beautiful it is! Jeju is a big island which can be divided into 4 major areas: Jeju City (North), Seogwipo City (South), Aewol (North West) and Seongsan (East).
Since Google Maps does not really work in South Korea, I recommend you download Naver Maps. They might get a little bit getting used to but that's probably the best option that you have! Here's are some places that you can visit during your trip to Jeju.
Jeonnong-ro is a street in Jeju City that is lined with cherry blossom trees. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride along the street while admiring the beautiful blossoms. You can easily reach there using the bus if you're staying in Jeju City.
The campus of Jeju National University is a popular cherry blossom spot in Jeju City. The trees are planted along the campus road, creating a stunning tunnel of pink blossoms. It's also easily reachable via the bus.
Halla Arboretum is a large park in Jeju City that features a wide variety of plant species, including cherry blossom trees. Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the cherry blossoms or take a stroll along the walking trails.
The Samseonghyeol is an archeological, historical and cultural landmark. The shrine has an entry of 4000krw per adult and you can bring in a photographer for an extra 2000krw which is what I did! Since, I was travelling alone, it was super hard taking photos of myself so I searched on Airbnb experiences for a photographer (I had never had a professional take my photos before :o)
This is one is one of the closest beaches to Jeju City. It took about an hour for me to reach there using the bus. The white sand and clear water make it the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.
The maze is designed in the shape of Jeju Island, and visitors can explore the various paths and dead-ends that make up the maze. There are various checkpoints and observation decks throughout the maze that provide a great view of the surrounding landscape.
Jeju Folk Village is an open-air museum that showcases traditional Jeju Island life, architecture, and culture. Though I personally didn't have enough time to visit it, I would love to go there on my next trip to Jeju!
Camellia Hill is a beautiful botanical garden located in Seogwipo City. The garden is known for its vast collection of camellia trees, which feature over 500 different species and cultivars of camellias from around the world.
In addition to the camellias, the garden also features a variety of other plants and flowers, including azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons. Visitors can enjoy exploring the various walking trails and gardens, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, and learning about the history and culture of camellias.
Jeongbang Waterfall is one of the few waterfalls in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. Visitors can enjoy the stunning views of the waterfall and the ocean, as well as the surrounding cliffs and lush vegetation.
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is a traditional Korean market that features a wide variety of local foods, crafts, and souvenirs. Visitors can enjoy exploring the market, sampling traditional Korean street food, and shopping for unique souvenirs.
Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can climb up to the crater and enjoy stunning views of the sunrise and the surrounding landscape.
The museum showcases a wide range of modern and contemporary art from Korea and around the world.One of the highlights of the museum is its unique architecture. The building is designed to resemble a cube, with a large glass wall that offers views of the surrounding landscape. The interior of the museum features white walls and concrete floors, creating a modern and minimalist atmosphere that enhances the art on display.
There are a few night markets in Jeju and the biggest one is the Dongmum Market close to the airport. However, we decided to drop by one of the smaller markets nearer to our hotel! The Seogwipo Olle Market is smaller than Dongmun Market but there is quite a decent variety of street food, souvenirs and fresh foods stores.
It just so happens to be hallabong (oranges) and tangerine season in Jeju (December), so there are a lot of stores featuring a super wide variety of oranges and best part?? Free samples are available, and let me tell you, oranges have never tasted sweeter????
My favourite buy of the night are the omegi tteoks. They are Jeju style mochi stuffed with redbean paste. They also come stuffed with fruits like bananas, strawberries, or the super sweet local tangerines. I might be wrong but the flavours range from plain to mugwort and matcha
Welcome to Seoul, the dynamic South Korean capital with more than nine million residents. Meet your driver at Incheon International Airport to transfer directly to your hotel, with an approximately one-hour drive. Depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the day exploring the city, or rest after your journey.
Head to the Insadong neighborhood for an optional three-hour tour of its tea houses, shops, and restaurants, walking along cobblestone streets lined with ginkgo trees. Or, walk through Myeongdong, a skincare and cosmetics hub. For lunch or dinner, head to Gwangjang Market to taste some of the city's best street food while moving among a crowd of locals. Take your pick among dishes such as dak gangjeong (fried chicken), mandu (dumplings), and kkochi (skewers). End the night with skyline views at Seoul Sky, an observation deck with a glass floor above the city.
Today your private guide will customize a day around Seoul according to your interests. Some of the highlights you might consider are the Gyeongbokgung palace to learn about the culture and history of the Joseon Dynasty. The complex was built in 1395 and restored in the 19th century and is considered among the most beautiful of Seoul's five grand palaces. Follow your guide to see some of its more than 50 buildings and 7,700 rooms spanning 90 acres (40 ha). Then learn more about the former hanoks (traditional wooden homes) of the royal family and high society with a stroll in Bukchon Hanok Village.
For lunch, let your guide lead the way to try dishes such as bibimbap, mixed rice typically served with egg, sliced meat, vegetables, and sauce, or samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup with dried jujubes, chestnuts, and garlic. Then, in a cooking class, learn more about South Korea's classic flavors, such as kimchi and savory pancakes. At the end of your food tour, return to your Seoul hotel to get ready to travel to Busan tomorrow.
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