The literary soul is on fire—A guide to 8 popular flea markets in Jeju Island

Text and photos / Excerpted from “A Once-in-a-Lifetime Heartfelt Journey to Jeju: Seven Themed Experiences, Exploring the Wonders of Jeju Through All Five Senses!” by Kim Tae-yeon, published by Orange Tree Culture

 A little weekend joy on Jeju Island—flea markets

It’s unclear since when, but flea markets have been popping up more and more on Jeju Island. No matter which area you’re in, you’ll find at least one or two every weekend, and browsing them can be a lot of fun.

Each flea market has its own unique character, but there are no restrictions on what can be sold. You can find handicrafts, clothing, food, travel souvenirs, as well as stationery and paintings—works that express the individuality of young artists. Initially, the sellers who started these flea markets were mainly residents who had immigrated to Jeju Island, but it has now become a shared market with the island’s locals, representing a new culture that didn’t exist in Jeju before.

Some of these include the Belrong Market, Kind Shop, Do It Once Market, and Molasses Exchange Market, each with distinct and quirky names. While living in Jeju Island allows you to visit these markets often, the variety and differing schedules mean it’s easy to miss one if you don’t keep track or mark your calendar. Nowadays, flea markets have gained quite a reputation, and many tourists even come specifically for them. Take note of the characteristics, dates, and times of each market, and check them out if you have the time.

The earliest art flea market: Seogwipo Cultural Art Market

As the first art flea market on Jeju Island, it operates every weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Sponsored by Seogwipo City, it provides stalls and serves as a worthwhile attraction for tourists heading to “Jungseop Art Street.” True to its name, the market is filled with wooden crafts, ceramics, accessories, and other goods designed by the sellers themselves, all with artistic and cultural value. The area also includes the Jungseop Residence, Jungseop Art Museum, and Daily Olle Market, forming a route where sightseeing and food go hand in hand. If you have extra time, consider taking a stroll along the “Writer’s Walking Path—Utopia Road (4.9 km),” where you can enjoy Jeju’s nature alongside paintings, sculptures, design, and craft works.

Location: ??Island Road? ??Delayed? Prison? Palace Seogwipo City Seogwipo-dong Jungseop Street
Date: Weekends (Sat, Sun) 10:00–17:00
Phone: 064-760-2480

Nearby attractions: ??Prison? Hwanjong? Palace Lee Jung-seop Cultural Street, ?Jipyu Island Jeongbang Waterfall, ?Sambong Island Cheonjiyeon Falls, ??Island???
Seogwipo Cruise, ??Island??Seogwipo Submarine, ??? Cow Marsh Estuary, ??Jiri Rock, ??Jeju Yellow Clam Coast, ??Island Eongtto Waterfall

Nearby dining: ??View Restaurant ??Seogwipo Gourmet Restaurant 88 (premium meat, seafood soup), ??Village?? Twin Sashimi Shop, ??Fortress?? Fish Treasure Sashimi Shop (water kimchi sashimi), ??Shallot? CheonJitgol cafeteria (Jeju black pork), ??Pearl? Pearl cafeteria (authentic traditional cuisine), ??? Huguan Village Wheat Noodles (dumplings, wheat noodles), ??Snack?? Saerona Snack (set meals), ??Goodwill Sashimi Center (pacific saury gimbap), ??Fortress?? Negeori cafeteria (hairtail soup), ??Heritage?? Sambo cafeteria (authentic traditional cuisine)

Nearby cafes: ??Pasture?? CAFÉ DU SWAY, ??Fog?? TERAROSA, ?? Banong

Pioneer of flea markets: Belrong Jang (Gyeokgaek)

The Belrong Market is a flea market primarily made up of immigrants to Jeju Island, and it’s located along the Siwha Coast, known for having some of the most beautiful seawater on the island. The Belrong Market enjoys one of the best locations among the many flea markets. In the Jeju dialect, “Belrong Gyeokgaek” roughly means “in the blink of an eye,” as the market is only open for a brief two hours, from 11:00 to 13:00.

Lately, as more visitors have come to the market, some sellers stay on even after it officially ends. Originally centered around the “Former Coffee Workshop” on the main road, the market has since expanded and moved to Siwha Port. The widespread presence of flea markets across Jeju Island owes much to the Belrong Market. As the most popular and well-known flea market, it’s held every Saturday at a fixed time—a great piece of news for tourists. Once a month, it transforms into a night market, with the specific date announced online in advance.

Location: ??Harbor Siwha Port
Date: Every Saturday 11:00–13:00 (if the date is a multiple of 5 or 10, it overlaps with the Siwha 5-Day Market and will be closed)
URL:http://cafe.naver.com/vellong

Nearby attractions: ??Scenic Siwha Beach, ??Chestnut Forest, ??Dragon Eye Mountain, ??Big Namsu Mountain, ??Moonjeong Beach, ??Golden Beach, ??Golden Labyrinth Park

A hipster haven: Twinkling Kind Shop (?? ?? Taechul??)

Located in Aewol, the café “HARU HANA ?? ??” boasts a lush green lawn courtyard. It gained fame for being the residence of celebrity Lee Hyori and for her involvement in selling soybeans she grew herself. The Kind Shop is divided into an art market, a farmer’s market, and a second-hand market, offering handmade crafts, homegrown produce, and second-hand clothing, respectively.

Location: ??Island ??Bukjeong?? 201-1 HARU HANA CAFÉ, Aewol-eup Jangjeon-ri 201-1, Jeju-si
Date: Dates announced monthly via official website, 11:00–14:00
Admission: Free
Phone: 070-7788-7170
URL:http://haruhana.me

Nearby tourist attractions: Gujibae Beach, Hanjeon Beach, Teddy Bear Museum, Psyche World, Let’s Run Park, Haemo Mountain, Geumak Mountain, Hello Kitty Island, Dorobom School

Nearby restaurants: VIVARI JJAMBBONG (Chinese), Jeju Slobbie (local cuisine), Kitchen Hygge (Danish), White Castle (sashimi), Deodon (barbecue), Ttungttanji (live fish hot pot), ARUYO (Nagasaki champon), OKRA (handmade tonkatsu), Café Tae Hee (Fish & Chips), Monster (churros), Steve’s truck shrimp

Nearby cafes: Rich Mango (fresh mango juice), SALON de LAVANT, CAMINO, [incomplete]
ANDY&LALA

By the beautiful riverside forest path: Dojang Market (Jeju-style market)

Along the riverside forest path next to Songdang-ri Office, you can find a flea market in the eastern mountainous area of Jeju’s east side. This market is jointly organized by the product design brand 1300K from Songdang-ri and Songdang Village. 1300K is a retailer of design goods with branches nationwide. However, the 1300K in Songdang-ri, Jeju, only sells Jeju-themed souvenirs.

Location: 2210, Jungbang-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, next to Songdang-ri Office, on the lower stream road
Dates: May–October, every last Sunday 11:00–14:00
Phone: 064-782-1305
URL:www.facebook.com/jeju1300k

Nearby tourist attractions: Sehwa Beach, Jeju Haenyeo Museum, Lost Park, Gwakjibong Pine Forest, Yonggwang Mountain, Darangsu Mountain, Yeondolli Beach, Geumneung Beach, Geumneung Lost Park

Nearby restaurants: Doregang (Korean food), Myeongjin Abalone (abalone stone pot rice), Chaeran Sikdang (set meals), [incomplete]
PyeongDae Snack (spicy tteokbokki, fried snacks), aal is well (pasta), Dam (soybean paste stew), Bunong (local cuisine), Ramane (rice noodles, Vietnamese baguette)

Nearby cafes: 1300K Eco Bridge Coffee, Gujwa Chamber of Commerce, Fenglin Tea House, Jeju in aA, Babo Café, Invisible Sea, Café DongNe, Wol JeongRi RoWa, jjokkeullak café, Coral Shop

Ceramic & Eco Market: Damhwahun Marche

Damhwahun Marche is a flea market set up at the pottery workshop and café Damhwahun. As it's located where traditional Korean jars are made, the flea market has a more natural ambiance. Damhwahun Marche only recruits vendors selling eco-friendly products, homegrown produce, handmade non-craft items, and goods with clear origins.

Location: 55, Bukseo-ro, Jusangjeolli, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju SUM Pottery Damhwahun
Dates: Third Saturday of every month 11:00–15:00
Phone: 064-744-9636

Nearby tourist attractions: Magic Road, Dongmun Market, ARARIO MUSEUM, Lake Side, Nexon Computer Museum

Nearby restaurants: Dodu Haenyeo House (water kimchi sashimi, sea urchin rice), Ajinomoto Soyu (water kimchi abalone), Kaiwon (Chinese cuisine), Sisters Noodles (meat sauce noodles), Eunhee’s Hangover Soup, Yujin Hangover Soup (fern beef soup), Dongmun Market (Bright Hall, Jinya Tteok Shop), Apbaengdi Sikdang (stewed fish), SINSULORUM (seaweed soup), Fire City Sikdang (pork rib soup), Dohallabang Sikdang (deep-sea fish soup), Tonjiseom (pork dishes)

Spacious grassy plaza: Dongdeure Jang

In Jeju dialect, “Dongdeure Jang” means “eastern market.” The market is set up on the grassy field at Phoenix Island in Seongsan Ilchulbong. Tables and chairs are provided for vendors, and since it’s free to join, many people participate. The grassy area is very spacious, occasional performances take place, and it’s great for family visits.

Location: Grass field in front of Phoenix Island, Seongsan
Dates: First Sunday of every month 11:00–15:00
Phone: 064-731-7929
URL:http://cafe.naver.com/eastmarket

Nearby tourist attractions: Gwangjigi Beach, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo Island, Seopjikoji, Aqua Planet Aquarium, Genius Loci, Jeju Haenyeo Museum

Nearby restaurants: Willala (Fish & Chips), Dawn Charcoal Garden (pork), Hosik Sikdang (stewed mackerel), Nanyang Fisheries (local sashimi), Garcia House (meat sauce noodles, Jeju black pork), Gucheng Market Tteokbokki (blood sausage tteokbokki), Guilgil Tteokbokki (fern beef tteokbokki), Dongmun Market (Bright Hall, Jinya Tteok Shop), Apbaengdi Sikdang (stewed fish), SINSULORUM (seaweed soup), Fire City Sikdang (pork rib soup), Dohallabang Sikdang (deep-sea fish soup), Tonjiseom (pork dishes)

Nearby cafes: Cozy Café, Café Beallo

Flea market in the city center: Mang Geur Eong Pol Jang (Hong? Paiyuqian)

Mang Geur Eong Pol Jang is operated by the cultural café Space What located on Seongsu Road in the city center. It was initially launched by three local female managers who aimed to promote Jeju culture. The café hosts a market using traditional Jeju dialect. “Mang Geur Eong Pol Jang” means “a market selling handmade goods,” and the sellers here are called “Polreo.” Jeju’s shopping street, Seongsu Road, is adjacent to Dongmun Market, so you can explore both while shopping.

Location: 5th Street, 4, Jungang-ro, Jeju-si, Cultural Café Space What
Date: Every third Sunday of the month, 14:00–18:00
Phone: 064-755-0055
URL:http://cafe.naver.com/spacewhat

Nearby attractions: Dongmun Market, Arario Museum, Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum, Nexon Computer Museum

Nearby restaurants: Dodu Haenyeo House (water kimchi raw fish, sea urchin rice), Jeju Abalone Specialty Restaurant (water kimchi raw abalone), Chinese restaurant, Sister’s Noodles, Eunhee’s Hangover Soup, Yujin Hangover Soup, Dongmun Market (Gwangmyeong Meal, Jinya Rice Cake), Apbaengdi Meal, SINSULORUM (seaweed soup), Hujeong Meal (pork rib soup), Dolharubang Meal (deep-sea fish soup), Tong Sam Village

Nearby cafés: A Factory Café, Cultural Space What, Premium Shop & Gallery Café (souvenirs, apple mango ice), Jenny’s Garden, Alaska in Jeju

Playful game market: Sorang Jang (??qian)

Located at Faha Harbor, Sorang Jang is a market where locals and island immigrants blend together. Through a game market created with local residents, secondhand goods, handmade items, and homegrown produce are sold. No application is required, and there are no specific rules—anyone can participate. However, businesses aiming for profit or promotion are not allowed.

Location: Je Story Café, Faha Harbor　　
Date: Second and fourth Fridays of every month, 11:00–16:00
Phone: 064-738-1134

Nearby attractions: Lee Joong-seop Culture Street, Jeongbang Waterfall, Cheonjiyeon Falls, Seogwipo Harbor Cruise, Seogwipo Submarine, Oedolgae (Solitary Island), Dcheongjjeong Rock, Hwangni Beach, Eongtto Waterfall
Eongtto Waterfall

Nearby restaurants: 88 Seogwipo Gourmet Restaurant (meat restaurant, seafood soup), Twin Raw Fish Restaurant, Fish Jin Raw Fish Restaurant (water kimchi raw fish), CheonJitgol Meal (Jeju black pork), Pearl Meal (traditional cuisine), Jipguksik Dumplings & Wheat Noodles, Saerona Snack (set meals), Yujin Raw Fish Center (saury gimbap), Negeori Meal (croaker soup), Sambap Meal (traditional cuisine), Sister’s Noodles

Nearby cafés: Café Du Sway, TERAROSA, Banong