VISIT JEJU

If you choose Seogwipo as a summer Jeju destination, then Beomseom Islet at Bomok Port is a great option. Not only is the tiny islet within view and framed beautifully by the sea and shore, but this scenery is spectacular every season of the year. 

The cafe Seopseom Jigi, located along an Olle trail and with a remarkable view of the islet, and is operated by Bomok Village. Order drinks on the first floor and go upstairs to the outdoor terrace, which has an amazing, sunny view on fair weather days.

The menu includes basic coffee options, homemade kumquat tea, citron tea, Hallabong citrus juice and apple mango juice, among others. The red bean paste rice cakes are a particular favorite with young and old alike. How about giving it a try?

The village that first experiences summer on Jeju Island is Harye-ri. One hidden eco-cafe with a reputation for its beautiful location, is to one side of the verdant village. You may need to drive to get there — the walk is quite long — but once there you’ll see how this spot is equated with relaxing Jeju travel. The exterior of the cafe is painted an emerald aquamarine color and there is a small fishing vessel parked out front as a pleasant reminder of this island destination and its maritime heritage.

Inside the cafe, which is a refurbished citrus warehouse owned by the town, you’ll find lots of local interior decorations, beverages, and desserts that use local ingredients. It’s a genuine Harye-ri experience through and through.

There is a particular citrus warehouse in Jeju that has been the site of mandarin growing for decades. The spot, in Seogwangdong-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, was refurbished by the town a few years ago and named “Neuyeongnayeong” by the locals to mean “You and Me”. They wanted to convey a sense of welcoming and open doors with regard to their community and their cafe.

As soon as you enter the cafe, you can sense the coolness of the vaulted ceiling that served the citrus farmers well when storing their crops. The spacious interior is pleasant and you’ll come to appreciate it as you slowly savor the delicious drinks (coffee, citrus drinks, juices) and simple but special food items (grilled rice cake, mandarin pizza, citrus pancakes) served here. Nearby you’ll find the famous Dol Oreum volcanic cone and Dullegil walking trail. Less well known is Mundoji Oreum, which you might also want to explore. To get a real feel for Jeju village life, please do sample the food, drink, and sights of this local treasure.

Along the south coast at Nansan-ri is a spot among the many other coastal destinations that is remarkable for its sunrises, view of Seongsan Ilchulbong, and utter lack of a view of Hallasan Mountain due to its low lying location. This spot is less well-known and so is prized for its clean, quiet ambiance. And permeating the entire scene are the strong colors of blue and black — sea, sky, and basalt rock — that frame it.

A popular menu item for this cafe is its locally made green tea ice cream and crunchy green tea chocolate bars. The green tea grown at Sinsan is said to be less bitter and more smooth, so it’s a very suitable ingredient in beverages and desserts. Sit down by the window, cast your gaze over the oceanscape, and enjoy a local sweet treat or drink.

Unlike the other cafes we profiled above, this spot is located on the mid-mountain range of Hallasan Mountain, in a cheerful forest with some “weird” tales of old. Byeolnan Cafe is village-run and makes the most of local ingredients like blueberries, which when in season make up the lion’s share of the smoothies and snacks that they serve.

Blueberry juice, ade and even blueberry pizza are among the refreshing drinks and wholesome snacks on offer. 

The cafe also sells reasonably priced local agricultural produce that they get directly from the farmers. It’s even possible to meet them when their making their deliveries!