Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market

Seogwipo's daily market runs under a long arched roof through the middle of town and has been trading since the 1960s, though the covered arcade is a later refit. It is a proper local market that has adapted to visitors rather than been built for them, and what it sells is a reasonable inventory of Jeju itself: hallabong and other citrus in winter, black pork, hairtail and mackerel from the surrounding sea, dried fish, omegi tteok made from the island's millet, peanut ice cream, and juices pressed from the citrus in front of you. Several stalls do prepared food to eat standing. The name comes from olle, the Jeju word for the narrow lane between a road and a house, which also gave its name to the island-wide walking network, one route of which passes through - so walkers come off the trail into it. It is the largest and oldest permanent market in Seogwipo, officially established in 1960. It is covered, so rain does not matter, and it stays open into the evening.

What you'll find

• The citrus stalls - hallabong and Jeju varieties, best in winter.
• The island produce - black pork, hairtail, mackerel, dried fish.
• Omegi tteok - the millet rice cake particular to Jeju.
• The prepared stalls - food to eat standing in the arcade.

When to go

Winter for citrus at its best; any season otherwise. Late afternoon and evening are liveliest. It is covered, so a wet day is a good day for it.

What to expect

It is a working market and prices for visitors are not always the same as for locals - check before agreeing. Little English. Seating is minimal.

Nearby

Jeongbang falls, Cheonjiyeon falls and the Olle trail routes are close.

Key facts