3 Best Restaurants in Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

This hole-in-the-wall joint is the perfect incarnation of a Korean matjib, which literally translates to "flavor house." The simple one-room affair has just five tables and an erasable whiteboard for a menu, presided over by one woman who takes the order and cooks each dish herself to great effect. While known for her gogi guksu (noodles with slices of pork), the kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) she whips up will most likely knock your socks off. It's like dining in your favorite Korean auntie's home. She only opens for dinner, and usually stays until after midnight.

Located on a small, family-run organic green tea plantation on the middle slopes of Hallasan mountain, this tiny tea shop not only serves a lovely cup of tea, but also offers fine views of the rolling tea fields. The tea costs ₩5,000 per person, and it's the only thing on the menu, but that gets you a lot of tea served with sweets made from Jeju tangerines. While you're there, you can walk around the tea fields, too. The plantation has inspiring views of Hallasan mountain, and the fields are beautifully landscaped with walls of volcanic rock and rows of evergreen trees.

This cozy retro space near downtown Seogwipo's historic Lee Jung-seop Street brews a serious cup of coffee, making it a favorite of local aficionados. If you prefer drip coffee, you can choose from three blends, and there are plenty of espresso-based beverages as well, including the house signature, the Songsan-dong Coffee, an especially rich cream latte. The cafe can get a bit crowded, though, so be prepared to wait in line. Founder Jo Yu-dong has won many of Korea's most prestigious coffee awards, a fact he advertises by covering the place's walls and ceiling with plaques and certificates.