An important note on Jeju’s updated bus system and this blog post
From August 2017, Jeju Island implemented a new city and intercity bus system. It increased the number of buses in service, while simplifying the routes, fees and numbering system.
Consequently, the contents of this previously published blog post may have changed. We therefore would kindly request that you consult this page for new bus maps in English on VisitJeju.net, and this page on our blog for a chart of the old and new bus route numbers.
If you read Korean, then the province’s official bus system website is a useful and up-to-date resource. We hope you’ll enjoy your travels on Jeju Island!
This article regarding Jeju themed travel programs was originally published on our VisitJeju.net site. Please click here for the original piece and maps to the sites mentioned. — Ed.
A long, enjoyable day at the 5-day market
The market is where you can really get the most out of your travels. Experience first-hand locally grown produce and seafood offered by lively traders beckoning you to their stalls using their charming island dialect. The Jeju 5-day Market, for example, has a unique culture and myriad of treasures you’ll want to discover and explore for yourself.
Meeting every 5 days
Jeju 5-day Market
Jeju Island’s 5-day markets might not be unique to the island, but their vitality certainly is. Before the time of large-scale markets and department stores, the Jeju 5-day market, which began in 1906, was called “Seonganjang”. Back when transportation was very difficult, market day gave people the chance to not only shop, but also to exchange information related to farming and fishing. In the Jeju and Seogwipo areas, these markets spread from the city centers to the coastal towns. Now Hallim, Daejeong, Seogwipo, Hamdeok, Sehwa, Pyoseon and 10 regions in total have active 5-day markets.
Living history of the 5-day market
Jeju Traditional 5-day Market
In 1968, when food wasn’t as plentiful as it is today, the then “Jeju 5-day Market” began operations in front of Gwandeokjeong. Now called the Jeju Traditional 5-day Market, there are some 1,000 stalls filled to the brim with products for sale on days ending in the number 2 and 7. It’s easy to remember these dates as traffic in the area gets rather heavy on those days.
With just 10,000 won you can buy enough goods to fill an arm-load. That’s one of the charms of the traditional market. Moreover, much of what is sold there is seasonal, meaning you get the freshest, local produce at reasonable prices(*) — over and above being an environmentally friendly shopper. And if you happen to purchase too much to carry home, there are reasonably priced courier services available at the market.
* Pro tip: You can haggle with the seller, though it’s easier to get good deals at the end of the day!
The central area of the 5-day Market is where fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh seafood and fermented items, are sold. Closer to the exterior walls are shops that sell miscellaneous items, ceramics, cutlery, seeds, and much more. It’s impossible to list them all.
The Jeju Traditional 5-day Market is indeed a special place, particularly as a marketplace. Anyone over the age of 65 can have a stall there free of charge. The majority of the older vendors are from the countryside, selling their own crops, herbs and seafood items.
There are plenty of bargains to be had as it’s not a fixed-price system — but you’ll have to learn some of the local dialect used by these vivacious seniors. It’ll be a positive experience all around.
If you happen to get a bit hungry while you’re doing your shopping, the 5-day Market also has plenty of restaurants and food stalls selling local dishes. Thick noodles, boiled corn, fried sweet bean cake, and various tempura selections… They have it all. And of course you can always have Jeju black pork blood sausage with some Jeju millet rice wine.
Jeju Traditional 5-day Market Address: 26 Oiljangseo-gil, Jeju-si Hours: Weekdays 08:00 ~ 20:00, Saturday 09:00 ~ 18:00 Public transportation: From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take buses 950, 966, 970 or 702 and get off at the Jeju Traditional 5-day Market stop. The total trip takes about 25 minutes. Free parking available http://market.jeju.kr/index.php
From shopping to savory skewers
Seogwipo 5-day Interval Village Market
The Jeju and Seogwipo regions of Jeju Island both have their own characters, but of these, the Seogwipo 5-day Interval Village Market is an excellent example of the personality and local color of the area.
On days ending in the number 4 and 9 — and on weekends — this market offers up a comparable range of items as the larger the Jeju Traditional 5-day Market.
There are many different kinds of foods to try here, including Jeju specialities like tilefish (okdom) and black pork skewers, right through to horse-shaped bread, and a section of Vietnamese food run by Vietnamese people. The market’s restaurants are very popular due to word-of-mouth recommendations. There’s something for everyone!
Seogwipo 5-day Interval Village Market Address: 18-5 Jungsangandong-ro 7894-gil, Seogwipo-si Hours: 09:00 ~ 18:00 Public transportation: From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take buses 781, 781-1, 781-2 or buses 2,5,6,7,8 and get off at the Seogwipo 5-day Interval Village Market bus stop. The total trip takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes. Free parking available http://www.xn--hh0b308apib8zff2bchr25dnkeove.xn--3e0b707e/
The locals’ market
Hallim Traditional 5-day Market
Hallim Traditional 5-day Market is not too far from Hyeopjae Beach and Hallim Park. It is open on days ending in the number 4 and 9 and has some 130 stalls run mostly by part-time vendors, much like the old days of the traditional markets.
The Hallim Traditional 5-day Market is one of Jeju’s larger markets selling the usual array of items, but as Hallim Port is the largest seafood port in Jeju, you can get especially fresh, in-season and inexpensive seafood there. The prices are dramatically lower than you’ll find at large department stores.
Hallim Traditional 5-day Market Address: 10 Hansupul-ro 4-gil, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 Public transportation: From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take buses 950, 960, 966 and get off at Hallim 5-day Market. The total trip takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Free parking available http://www.snname.com/jejuhanlimminsok/
Famous for its yellowtail
Daejeong 5-day Market
Daejeong 5-day Market, which is held on days ending in 1 and 6, may be smaller than most, but its range of fish on offer is second to none. It’s located right along the seafront, in an area at Moseulpo Port where the yellowtail are plentiful in the winter months. If you visit Jeju during the winter, then this is the place to try some of the freshest yellowtail dishes ever!
Daejeong 5-day Market Address: 65 Sinyeong-ro 36-gil, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 Public transportation From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 755 and get off at the Saturday Market Entrance stop. Total travel time is about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Free parking available
Beauty of the sea
Sehwa Traditional 5-day Market
The Sehwa Traditional 5-day Market, held on days ending in the number 5 and 10, is a simple, small, seaside market. One of its outstanding features is the Bellongjang, or “night market,” held once a month.
It attracts not only the usual market goers, but also people from other countries who have made their homes on Jeju Island and intrepid tourists who have ventured out to experience Jeju’s vibrant nightlife.
Sehwa Traditional 5-day Market Address: 1500-5 Sehwa-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 Public transportation From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal take buses 910, 990 or bus 701 and get off at the Sehwa-ri bus stop. Total travel time is about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Free parking available http://market.jeju.kr/index.php
< List >
Monthly on days ending in 1 and 6 Simple market flavors <Hamdeok 5-day Market> 15-13 Hamdeok 16-gil, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si The smallest local 5-day market <Seongsan 5-day Market> 6 Seongsanjungang-ro 37-gil, Seogwipo-si Yellowtail, etc., seasonal and inexpensive <Daejeong 5-day Market> 65 Sinyeong-ro 36-gil, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si Monthly on days ending in 2 and 7 The representative island 5-day market <Jeju Traditional 5-day Market> 26 Oiljangseo-gil, Jeju-si Greeting grandmothers <Pyoseon Traditional 5-day Market> 203-1 Pyoseondongseo-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si Monthly on days ending in 3 and 8 Everything within arm’s reach <Jungmun 5-day Market> 12 Cheonjeyeon-ro 188-gil, Seogwipo-si Monthly on days ending in 4 and 9 Seogwipo’s representative market <Seogwipo 5-day Interval Village Market> 18-5 Jungsangandong-ro 7894-gil, Seogwipo-si The locals’ market <Hallim Traditional 5-day Market> 10 Hansupul-ro 4-gil, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si Within sight of Seongsan Ilchulbong <Goseong 5-day Market> 1500-5 Sehwa-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si Monthly on days ending in 5 and 10 Beauty of the sea <Sehwa Traditional 5-day Market> 1500-5 Sehwa-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si
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