VISIT JEJU

There’s a café in Jeju where you can take photos with a rare film camera. The nostalgically named “Aewol Pawnshop” rents film cameras to guests and even offers developing and scanning services. You can experience the true essence of film photography, with a one-day class where you learn how to develop your own film. The process of watching photos come to life in the darkroom is fascinating, and you can also try using a Polaroid camera. Be sure to reserve in advance to rent a film camera.

Although the café has no signboard, its retro-themed interior draws attention, making it easy to spot. The space is cozy, and you can enjoy hand-drip coffee, manual espresso, or a taste of Jeju’s traditional barley drink, Borigaeyok. The beans used for drip coffee change daily, and Borigaeyok comes in three flavors: plain, milk, and chocolate, all served in nostalgic Del Monte bottles. The menu is entirely vegan, and pets are welcome.

In this refurbished old house, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back into the 1960s or 70s while developing photos with a film camera. Despite digital cameras, film cameras produce high-resolution images, and taking landscape photos of Jeju with them results in vivid and strikingly different images. You can also experiment with different film to capture various colors. Cameras are available for 24-hour rental, with the option to extend for an additional fee. Capture Jeju’s unique charm with photos full of film’s nostalgic essence.

▶ Address: 117 Aewol-ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

▶ Operating Hours: 11:00–19:00 (Last order at 18:00), closed on Thursday

▶ Prices: Hand drip coffee 5,500 KRW, Borigaeyok 6,000 KRW 

                  Camera Rental Fees: 10,000–20,000 KRW (24 hours), 6,000 KRW for an additional 6 hours

▶ Parking: Public parking behind Aewol Police Station, in front of Aewol Post Office, or along nearby alleys

Despite Jeju’s abundance of attractions, there are still some things that you won’t find here—one of them is a train. In the 1970s, a single steam locomotive and passenger car were briefly used for educational purposes, but they are now classified as cultural assets. "Secret Station" is a unique café designed around the concept of a train, making it a popular hotspot among locals as well.

Upon entering, you’ll notice train windows and seats, which are very popular, so it’s recommended to visit early to secure a spot. The staff are dressed as train station attendants, enhancing the feeling of a train journey, and they also plan to rent out uniforms from the colonial era.  Secret Station was inspired by the idea: “If there were a railway in Jeju, wouldn’t the view from its train windows be the most beautiful in the country?” They also feature a character based on Jeju’s native dog, acting as a "security guard" throughout the café. Despite using elements not originally from Jeju, the space manages to retain a strong sense of Jeju’s identity, with a retro Japanese vibe throughout. There’s even a separate annex designed like a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), giving visitors the feeling of being on a trip to Japan.

The café’s signature menu item is a visually stunning retro-style parfait, a harmonious mix of sweet cream, fruits, and rice cakes. You can also enjoy a toast set, which comes with a special grill where you toast the bread yourself, served with six different toppings. There’s even an option to make your own monaka (a Japanese dessert) with sweet red bean paste.  The snack shop inside the café is a fun touch, mimicking the experience of buying snacks on a train. The menu includes sandwiches with unique fillings like fig walnut and basil tomato, eggs with Himalayan pink salt, honey rice cakes, and Ramune, a nostalgic soda. The décor and menu items blend seamlessly with the café’s retro theme.

After enjoying the nostalgic snacks, you can take a photo at one of the café’s many photo spots to capture your visit, as if you’ve explored a secret place that doesn’t exist in real life. It’s a unique and fun experience that offers a refreshing change of pace.

▶ Address: 26-1 Hwasun Jungang-ro 124beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

▶ Operating Hours: 10:30–18:00 (Last order at 17:30)

▶ Pets: Allowed. Public parking available nearby, 3-minute walk from Hwasun Geumore Beach

▶ Contact: 0507-1421-97

In the 1980s, going to a Western-style diner for pork cutlet and omelet rice, followed by coffee at a café, was a common date course. For children, such restaurants were reserved for birthdays or special occasions. Located just a 10-minute drive from Jeju Airport, Kissa Happiendo is a restaurant designed to recreate the vibe of an old diner or café, where you can enjoy a meal while listening to soothing city pop music.

A simple salad is served before your meal, followed by beautifully plated food on retro dishes. The signature dish is omelet rice, available in two styles—fully cooked or soft-cooked. The soft, fluffy eggs and ketchup-flavored rice evoke memories of childhood, and the ginger pickles served alongside help balance the flavors, preventing the dish from becoming too rich. The hamburger steak, made from a blend of Jeju Hanwoo beef and black pork, is finely minced and juicy, making it a hit even with children. After your meal, try a cup of traditional café-style coffee made with two spoons each of sugar, creamer, and coffee. For something stronger, you can enjoy a highball or beer with your meal, while kids can indulge in the popular cream soda topped with whipped cream.

The restaurant also offers single dining and takeout options. If you visit with children, they’ll receive character-themed coloring sheets. Write a review on Naver, and you’ll get a nostalgic balloon as a gift. Since they don’t take reservations, there may be a wait, so it’s best to visit early. If you want to step back in time and enjoy some retro vibes, Kissa Happiendo is highly recommended.

▶ Address: 48-1 Jeonnong-ro, 1st floor, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

▶ Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday 11:30–20:30, closed on Tuesdays (Last order at 14:30/20:00)

▶ Contact: 0507-1366-5170

▶ Prices: Soft omelet rice 12,000 KRW, hamburger steak 14,000 KRW, Neapolitan spaghetti 11,000 KRW

If you’re looking for a place that evokes the true feeling of the countryside, Chuihado is the perfect retro-style pub in Gujwa-eup. The interior is reminiscent of an old rural supermarket or stationery store, and they also run a guesthouse called "Hado Inn," making you feel like you’ve arrived at your grandparents’ house for a summer vacation.

Chuihado consists of a supermarket, a ramen cooking area, a guesthouse, and restrooms, with a separate space for guesthouse guests. You can enjoy a beer at an outdoor table while cooking ramen or ordering from the menu. The menu, hand-drawn by the owner, offers home-cooked dishes. Grilled squid, freshly cooked with a hint of charcoal smoke, is served with mayonnaise and pairs perfectly with a glass of makgeolli (Korean rice wine), making you feel like you’re having a countryside snack break. For non-drinkers, they offer non-alcoholic beer to help set the mood.

The pub also features nostalgic childhood snacks, old arcade machines that cost 100 KRW per game, and claw machines. You can even wear traditional countryside pants and snap a photo. Outside food is not allowed, and those eating on-site can pay at the end. Guests at the guesthouse can also rent equipment like gas stoves, umbrellas, mats, and inner tubes.

If you spent time at your grandparents’ house in the countryside as a child, Chuihado will stir up those memories. If you’re curious about the taste of a cold beer enjoyed on a countryside veranda, Chuihado is the perfect place to visit.

▶ Address: 107-17 Hado 15-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

▶ Operating Hours: Thursday to Tuesday 11:00–20:00, closed on Wednesdays

▶ Contact: 0507-1383-7205

▶ Prices: Snacks 2,000 KRW, Drinks 1,500 KRW, Alcohol 2,500 KRW