This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at Jeju’s five-day markets, which offer fresh, inexpensive produce as well as the personalized service that regular customers have come to appreciate.




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When it comes to shopping on Jeju, you could say we’re spoiled for choice. Big supermarket chains, smaller farm co-ops, even citizen organized flea markets are common. But there’s a kind of market here which offers up both fresh ingredients and personalized service which are second-to-none.

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Fresh local produce at competitive prices

Jeju’s five-day markets are found all over the island and have a wide selection of local produce, fruits, fish, Jeju black pork, and more. Often prices are negotiable, or if not, the merchant may choose to add a little extra to your shopping bag.

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Purchases can be sent to mainland directly from market

Many visitors to Jeju also shop at the island’s five-day markets, buying in bulk for themselves or for Jeju gifts to give to friends and family back on the mainland. They can use a delivery service to send home boxes of mandarin oranges, for example, or dried sea bream, a Jeju delicacy.

And speaking of delicious food, there are plenty of food stalls located around the markets which sell piping hot soups and other hearty dishes and traditional snacks.

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Island’s largest market is in Dodu-dong, Jeju City

The largest of the five-day markets is in Jeju City. Over the years it has grown and relocated a number of times, but since 1998 it has operated in Dodu-dong with over 1,000 stalls.
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Todd Thacker

These days the markets are catering to overseas visitors as well, with signage in languages like English and Chinese. What better way to get a sense of the real Jeju than in the hustle and bustle of the island’s traditional style of shopping.

Todd Thacker KCTV