In September 2023, we returned to South Korea, this time with our toddler. We included four days on Jeju, a popular holiday island to the South of South Korea – a first for me and second visit for Dave. We by no means explored it all but one thing we were determined to do was eat Jeju Black Pork. It’s a regional delicacy and on tasting it, I can see why.
Jeju Black Pork
Jeju black pork totally lives up to the hype. This Korean pig breed, notable for its black skin (which is where the name comes from), lives a mostly free-roaming lifestyle on the island, eating lots of local veg and herbs which flavour the meat. Traditionally, it’s cooked over hay too which adds to the flavour.
Heukdonhyang Restaurant
You will see Jeju black pork advertised all over Jeju and there are plenty of places to get it. After some research, we chose Heukdonhyang restaurant in Seogwipo-si on the south of the island, not far from where we were staying.
Our culinary adventure led us to an extraordinary dining spot – an old polytunnel transformed into a half-casual dining space, half-mini Eden project. Picture this: dining amidst ponds, fish, and a lush array of plants. This unique setting made our meal feel like a magical escape into nature.
The Meal
The restaurant served only one dish – perfectly grilled black pork. For 66,000 won (around £35) we were presented with a veritable feast! A big platter of pork neck and belly with the typical local specialty anchovy sauce called meljeot. As well as this, we had a fantastic array if banchan (side dishes) including perilla leaf and lettuce for ssam (wraps), kimchi, dried anchovies, pink pickled onions, steamed eggs, fern, and more. Everything was just so fresh and delicious, this meal was honestly one of the highlights of our trip to Jeju.
In conclusion
Jeju Black Pork isn’t just a dish; it’s a celebration of Jeju’s rich culinary heritage. You’ll find it advertised and on sale all over the island but I recommend getting off the beaten path and finding a K-BBQ joint like this one. If you find yourself on Jeju Island, this is one culinary journey you cannot afford to miss.
What made this meal unforgettable wasn’t just the food but the entire experience. The friendly service and unique setting created a perfect backdrop for our culinary adventure. Add some drinks, and the whole experience cost around £42– an incredible value for such a memorable meal.