u/mintyshark8

I went to Jeju last March, and I’ve been looking back at my trip lately. Last time, I shared three places in Jeju that I still think about. This time, I want to share my most memorable meal, plus a few snacks and souvenirs I brought home.

Jeju is famous for hairtail, a long silver fish that is commonly caught around the island. It’s especially popular grilled or braised in a spicy sauce. Since it had been a long time since my last trip to Jeju, I really wanted to have a proper hairtail meal.

When I visited Jeju with my family as a kid, I remember eating a huge braised whole hairtail that was almost as long as the table😂 That memory made me want to try something similar again, so I searched around and found a restaurant called Gungseochae Jeju Tapdong.

The spicy braised hairtail was definitely the highlight. The fish was soft and tender, and it soaked up the rich, spicy sauce really well. It also came with seafood, vegetables, and tofu, so there was a lot to enjoy in one dish. One of my favorite parts was mixing some of the sauce into the hairtail rice cooked in a pot. So good.

We also ordered grilled whole hairtail. It was salty, savory, and simple, which was a nice contrast to the spicy braised one. Having both at the same table felt like a proper Jeju hairtail feast. I still think about this meal sometimes, and I’d definitely eat it again if I go back to Jeju.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ti7rQgMXFDrcFgzG7
Naver Map: https://naver.me/GI3EYCcY

Next, I went to Dongmun Traditional Market because I wanted to find some snacks and souvenirs that felt unique to Jeju. There were so many souvenir shops, and I noticed a lot of sandwich cookies made with different Jeju ingredients.

I ended up buying two boxes of Jeju Sarang Miso Sand cookies. Then, while walking around the market, I found a shop selling cute seafood keychains. Of course, I chose the hairtail😂 I had just eaten an amazing hairtail meal, so buying a tiny hairtail keychain felt like the perfect souvenir to remember it by.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DjSH8UQjmjLsnpwt6
Naver Map: https://naver.me/Gn0f8jQJ

My last stop was a cafe called Basalt near the market. As the name suggests, the whole place is inspired by Jeju’s black basalt rocks. The sleek black interior and huge digital screen gave it a very modern atmosphere, which felt completely different from the traditional market I had just walked through.

They also sell some pretty unique snacks and desserts. The staff let me sample a few, and I ended up choosing something called Dolquoise (‘dol’ means rock in Korean). It’s inspired by a dacquoise and filled with cream made from Jeju milk and sweet berry jam. Even the dark, rock-like appearance reminded me of Jeju basalt, which made it a fun souvenir too.

If you’ve been walking around Dongmun Market and want to take a break somewhere with a completely different atmosphere, I think this is a fun place to stop by.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QAk6AbhbGKhjVsKy8
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xjgcm2PV

There’s honestly so much to eat, see, and buy in Jeju that you have to pick and choose when you only have a limited amount of time. If you want to enjoy a big Jeju hairtail meal, browse the market for local snacks and souvenirs, and finish with a basalt-inspired dessert, this was a pretty fun way to do all three!

It’s already been about six months since my trip to Jeju, but looking through my photos still brings back so many memories. I miss the wide open views, the fresh air, and just being surrounded by nature. So while I’m waiting for the day I can go back, I wanted to share three places that I still think about.

After arriving in Jeju and having lunch, Dodu-dong rainbow coastal road was the first place we visited. The first thing that caught my eye was the deep blue ocean. Along the coast, there were colorful rainbow blocks stretching beside the road, and the bright colors looked even more vivid against the blue sea.
There were lots of people walking around and taking photos. I would definitely recommend coming on a clear, sunny day. The blue sky, deep blue ocean, and rainbow colors all looked so good together. It was a simple first stop, but it immediately made me feel like my Jeju trip had really started.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vxbsu7PWcxR7Fva9
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xDJuqiEu

Next, we went to Hyeopjae Beach, and the color of the water looked completely different from what I had just seen at Dodu-dong. Instead of deep blue, the water here was clear, emerald, and almost mint colored. With the white sand, it was honestly so beautiful that we ended up staying until the sun was almost down.
We didn’t really do anything special there, and I think that was the best part. I just watched the waves and tried to take in as much of the view as I could. We also stacked some stones by the beach and made wishes.
There’s also a palm tree path nearby that I really loved. I’m a huge fan of palm trees🌴, so walking between rows of tall palms with the breeze blowing felt amazing. I was literally just walking, but I was so happy!! If you love palm trees too, you’ll probably love this place.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EspgP2Jm7dWV1SwE6
Naver Map: https://naver.me/5XJIlPtO

The last place I want to share is the Wollyeong-ri Cactus Colony!!🌵 I love cacti almost as much as palm trees, so this place was perfect for me. There were cacti everywhere!
Wollyeong-ri is the only place in Korea where you can see a naturally growing colony of cacti like this. It’s believed that the cacti originally came from Mexico and somehow reached Jeju through the Kuroshio current. Local residents also planted them along stone walls to keep rats and snakes away from their homes, and over time they spread throughout the village.
What I loved most here was the combination of colors. Little green cacti were growing between black basalt rocks, with the blue Jeju ocean right behind them. The black basalt, green cacti, and blue water looked so beautiful together. And honestly, all the little groups of cacti were just really cute!!!🌵 If you like both cacti and ocean views, I definitely recommend this place.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PwffhmLabKSQ5SVv6
Naver Map: https://naver.me/Galdi4Lw

Looking back, what stayed with me most from that day wasn’t any special activity. It was just the scenery. The deep blue ocean and rainbow colors at Dodu-dong, the mint colored water and white sand at Hyeopjae, and the green cacti growing between black basalt rocks in Wollyeong-ri.
Even six months later, looking at these photos makes me miss the air and the breeze in Jeju. If I go back, I’d honestly be happy doing the same things again. Just staring at the ocean, walking between palm trees, and looking at cute little cacti :)🌊🌴🌵

Yesterday, I took a short trip to Oido with my friend. We wanted to get out of Seoul and enjoy a different view with the ocean and mudflats. We only had 5 hours in Oido, but it was actually enough to enjoy a cafe, lots of seafood, and a beautiful sunset. So here’s how I spent my 5 hours there!

We arrived in Oido around 3pm. It was too early for dinner, so we found a cafe with a great view of the sky, ocean, and mudflats. I ordered an iced peppermint tea, and my friend got a sweet corn latte and an egg tart. We just sat there talking and enjoying the blue September sky and the wide mudflats. The view was so open and refreshing. It really felt good to get out of Seoul and see such a huge open landscape.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyNivqy4hPcGicQi7?g\_st=ic
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/FUzEAPXJ

Around 5pm, we headed out for an early dinner. Oido is famous for grilled shellfish, and there are tons of seafood restaurants along the walkway by the mudflats. We picked one near the cafe and ordered grilled scallops, salt grilled prawns, and raw shrimp. Basically, a seafood feast😂 We ate while looking toward the sunset, and I still remember the sunlight reflecting off the mudflats. The raw shrimp was super fresh, chewy, and bouncy. The grilled prawns were simple but really flavorful, and the scallops had that nice fresh taste of the sea. If I visit Oido again, I’d definitely have grilled shellfish and shrimp again.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rrd6nCdkwpCxAYRi9?g\_st=ipc
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/FlWnJJeY

By the time we finished dinner, it was around 7pm. We spent our last hour walking along the mudflats and watching the sunset. The sky slowly turned deep orange and blue, and I honestly couldn’t stop looking at it. Along the way, we also found Oido’s famous Red Lighthouse. It was actually cuter than I expected, with its round shape and super bright red color. The cool September breeze, the sunset over the mudflats, and the sound of people busking in the distance all came together perfectly. And after eating that much seafood, a long walk after dinner was a nice bonus too😂

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mmw4gFhed2T6wLPR7?g\_st=ic
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/xeUu11TF

I think Oido is a great place for a quick day trip from Seoul. You can see wide mudflats, the ocean, the horizon, and a beautiful sunset, all things that are hard to find in Seoul. Early fall might be an especially nice time to visit because the weather is cooler and perfect for walking. For me, eating grilled shellfish and prawns while watching the sun go down over the mudflats was such a nice way to end a Sunday. Turns out, 5 hours was enough🌅

Back in April, my friend and I took a short trip to Busan. We were on our way to Daegu, so we only had about 20 hours to spend in Busan. Since our time was limited, we wanted to make the most of it. Instead of trying to visit lots of places, we focused on a few things Busan is really known for! Grilled hagfish (kkomjangeo), Lee Jae Mo Pizza, and a relaxing walk along Gwangalli Beach.

The first place we visited was a kkomjangeo restaurant. I already liked grilled eel, but this was my first time trying kkomjangeo. Unlike regular eel, kkomjangeo (hagfish) has almost no fat and a much chewier texture. It felt completely different from the eel I was used to.
We ordered both the salty grilled and spicy marinated versions. Personally, I liked the marinated one more. The sweet and spicy sauce went really well with the chewy texture. It actually reminded me a little of grilled beef intestines, but much leaner and lighter. Since Busan is famous for kkomjangeo, I really wanted to try it, and it ended up being one of the most memorable meals of the trip. I’d definitely eat it again next time.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UEJ6RwwCDNdSKgxC6
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/5g41dTGR

The next day, we finally went to Lee Jae Mo Pizza for lunch. I’d heard people recommend this place for years whenever Busan came up, but somehow I would never had the chance to visit. This time, it was already on my itinerary.
Originally, we planned to visit the Busan Station branch. But after checking the Catch Table app, we saw the waiting list… and immediately changed our minds😂 We headed to the Seomyeon branch instead. It was still crowded, but the line moved much faster than I expected. I thought we would be waiting for an hour, but we got in after about 30 minutes. I think the large dining area helped.
We ordered the signature Lee Jae Mo Crust Pizza. Unfortunately, I accidentally removed the pepperoni while using the kiosk😂 So if you visit, you should better double check your order before paying! lol
The pizza was definitely good. It had lots of mozzarella cheese, and the crust was delicious. But honestly… I don’t think I would come back just for the pizza. Maybe my expectations were just too high. It was tasty, but not quite as unique as I imagined.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AjdLE9Xub8wgRVHZ8
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/FhfLBpVC

Before leaving Busan, we made one last stop at Gwangalli Beach. I’ve been there several times before, but whenever I visit Busan, I find myself wanting to see the ocean again.
The beach looked beautiful under the April sunshine. The water sparkled, and the endless horizon instantly made me feel calm. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back. Even without doing anything special, simply sitting by the sea felt like the perfect way to end the trip.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9v759wGN4sduEsPPA
📍 Naver Map: https://naver.me/xzxmzK1j

Some people might think this is a pretty simple Busan itinerary. But if you only have a day, I would happily recommend it. Try Busan’s famous kkomjangeo, stop by Lee Jae Mo Pizza, and finish the day by watching the ocean at Gwangalli. It may be a short trip, but I think it’s a great way to experience what makes Busan special.

Dear Lele Girl & Midnight Spell
All time favorite babies👶🏻💞 Super adorable!!

There’s something relaxing about watching the road ahead…🚌

A few months ago, I spent a day exploring Gyeongju with my friend. During the day, we had fun at Gyeongju World. After sunset, we slowly walked around the Gyeongju Historic Areas and Hwangridan-gil. The peaceful atmosphere at night felt completely different from the excitement of the amusement park, and that’s what I remember the most.

We started with the Gyeongju Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where many important remains from the ancient Silla Kingdom are preserved. It would probably be beautiful during the day too, but I personally think it’s even more charming at night. The wide open paths made it perfect for a relaxing walk. The most impressive sight was the giant royal tombs in the distance. Even from far away, they looked incredibly grand. Soft lights illuminated the tombs, making them feel even more majestic. The trees nearby were lit with purple and pink lights, creating a dreamy atmosphere. It almost felt like a park and an ancient historic site had blended into one.

Next, we visited Cheomseongdae. It’s known as the oldest existing astronomical observatory in East Asia and was built during the Silla Kingdom to observe the stars. It was my first visit since an elementary school field trip, so it felt surprisingly new. Even at night, the lighting made it easy to admire the observatory. My friend and I spent some time walking around and taking lots of photos.

📍Gyeongju Historic Areas & Cheomseongdae
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iEWZrbrhKEGecw1UA
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xR2i5ZU5

After our walk, we naturally made our way to Hwangridan-gil, which is right next to the historic area. The street is lined with traditional Korean hanok buildings filled with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and cute little stores. My favorite shop was a small store selling handmade crochet items. Everything was adorable, but I especially loved the little sunflower pots. They felt like the kind of decoration that would make you smile every time you looked at your desk. Honestly… I still regret not buying one😂

While walking around Hwangridan-gil, my friend and I shared a snack called Jjondigi. It had a chewy texture with a spicy seasoning that made it even more addictive. It was the perfect snack when we started getting a little hungry after walking around. If you enjoy chewy foods like mochi or gummy candy, I think you’ll really like it.

📍 Hwangridan-gil
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rTJjwZVbUwNSKUTu7
Naver Map: https://naver.me/GUwSCIgn