안녕하세요, Kia Orana, Welcome
This week I continue my adventures on Jeju island, South Korea. In Vol 27, I discussed “Ssiat Hotteok” or Busan sweet pancake. Very tasty street food from Busan, South Korea. That resembles a pancake stuffed with brown cinnamon, sugar, honey, and seeds.
Hotteok - Images courtesy of how stuff works.
This week I go to the beach in the middle of the South Korean winter and find very spicy food to warm me up after my adventure.
BEACH IN WINTER
Up front, I love the beach!! As Polynesians from New Zealand, we are surrounded by beaches. We grew up near them, spent days at them, and caught food from them. It’s part of life. Hard to imagine life without it. Beaches surround South Korea but they are usually full of people in the summer. Jeju Island and Busan are famous for their beaches and beach life. A massive industry that is usually packed during the summer season with people, vendors, and party-goers. Jeju island is very renowned for its variety of beaches from sandy and rocky, to dark-colored beaches, there is something for everyone.
I decided to take an adventure and see what it was all about. Luckily, I decided to go in early February which meant hardly anyone was there but since it’s in the middle of winter it’s still cold. It’s hard to explain a Korean winter to those that have never experienced it. Sometimes it will snow so heavily that you can’t walk or drive without sliding or falling over. Other times it won’t snow but it will be -20 degrees Celcius and the wind and cold just cuts through any layer of clothing you may be wearing. For this adventure, I went to a place in Jeju island that would usually be packed but thankfully this time almost nobody was there.
Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
The beaches are quite nice and clean with a mixture of rock and sand. This particular one had lovely golden-colored sand that stretched as far as I could see. I’m thinking it would be packed with tourists in the summer. Fortunately, I decided against taking a swim as the famous Jeju wind swept across the beach and right through my extra layers of clothing. Overall, not a bad beach and a good chance to get the fresh sea breeze.
SPICY STIR-FRIED PORK/OCTOPUS
After spending a few hours at the beach in the middle of a South Korean winter, I decided I needed to warm up. If you have been following my previous adventures on Jeju island you will know that this island is full of tasty food from fried fish to sweet street foods, there is the local tangerine and even the famous Jeju black pig with its very succulent pork.
Spanish Mackerel on Jeju Island - Image courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Black Pig Feast - Image courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi
In Jeju city, I discovered a small restaurant that most people would just walk past. Nothing flash about the signage or exterior. However, the food here was fantastic. Spicy large portions, and a good price too. A small menu but some varieties with Spicy Stir-fried pork, octopus, stews, and even hot pot. The prices were okay as the servings were huge. I ordered the Spicy stir-fried octopus that came with rice and side dishes of vegetables including sprouts & kimchi. Overall, it was a really nice dish and as always on Jeju Island washed down with the local Hala Mountain 21 soju/rice wine.
Image courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
There must be hundreds of these kinds of restaurants that aren’t listed or well known. Truly fantastic!!
Jeju island where adventure and surprises never end. One moment you are freezing at the beach next your tummy is full of spicy food.
“Feed your focus, starve your distractions.”
Its winter on Jeju Island, South Korea and I'm going to the beach- Vol 28