Haenyeo's Kitchen: Listening to the Life of a Haenyeo for 140 Minutes at the Former Auction Hall in Jongdal-ri

The Background Behind Jongdal-ri Hwalseoneo Auction Market Becoming a “2-Hour Stage”

Haenyeo’s Kitchen Jongdal branch is located at 2265 Haejauihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. This building was constructed about 20 years ago as a live-fish auction market, but after the decline in fishing-village population and seafood sales, it became a warehouse with low utilization. It is now repurposed as a performance venue and dining space, bringing together the lives of Jongdal-ri haenyeo and local seafood.

According to the official introduction, the Jongdal branch program was planned as a “story-filled meal table created by a 90s haenyeo and a 20-something young person.” Some of the proceeds are donated to the local fishing village association, and seafood gathered by Jongdal-ri haenyeo and Jeju agricultural products are used in the meal. Rather than simply visiting a restaurant, if you go in understanding how haenyeo labor and the fishing village distribution space lead into cultural content, the context of the performance becomes much clearer.

How to Book for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:00 and 17:00 for 59,000 KRW per Person

Jongdal branch operates only on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with lunch starting at 12:00 and dinner starting at 17:00. According to the official guide, the total duration is about 140 minutes, and the fee is 59,000 KRW per person for ages 7 and up. Because this is a performance-style program with fixed seating and fixed times, you should plan your schedule based on advance reservations rather than expecting a walk-in meal.

The official website is https://haenyeokitchen.com/branch/jongdal, and the reservation page is linked from the homepage. The main inquiry phone number is 070-5224-1828, and the Jongdal branch inquiry number listed by the Jeju Tourism Organization is 0507-1385-1828. Once the performance starts, it is difficult to separate entry from the dining flow, so it is safer to arrive earlier than the start time and receive guidance first.

• Operating days: every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
• Start times: 12:00, 17:00
• Eligibility: ages 7 and up
• Fee: 59,000 KRW per person
• Recommended stay: about 140 minutes

The Life of Haenyeo Kim Chunoak and the Seafood Story That Follows the 25-Minute Performance

The Jeju Tourism Organization introduction describes the life of Kim Chunoak, a haenyeo who lived as a diver in Jongdal-ri, as the central story of the performance. The stage uses a taewak, a diving tool used by haenyeo, and follows the life of a woman who began diving from childhood to make a living. The performance is introduced as lasting about 25 minutes, but the program does not end with the play alone.

After that, there is a segment where a haenyeo explains Jeju seafood such as turban shell, sea hare, sea urchin, agar, and hijiki. The Visit Jeju guide also introduces a format in which Haenyeo Kim Ok-ja, with 45 years of diving experience, explains the characteristics of turban shell and sea hare and how to distinguish males from females. After the meal, there is time for Q&A with the haenyeo, making it suitable for those who want to directly ask questions that came up during the meal, such as Jeju dialect or diving methods.

Five Types of Seafood and the Meal Flow to Check at the Buffet-Style Jeju Table

The Jongdal branch meal is buffet-style, not a course meal. The official guide explains that Jeju local dishes are prepared with seafood directly gathered by haenyeo and agricultural produce from Jeju’s local gardens, called “uyongpat.” The program introduction specifically mentions five kinds of seafood: turban shell, sea hare, sea urchin, agar, and hijiki.

According to the Visit Jeju guide, the meal after the performance lasts about 50 minutes. Because you eat while hearing explanations of the seafood types and cooking methods, if you have seafood allergies or restrictions on raw foods or seaweed, it is best to ask in advance about the menu and whether substitutions are possible. Since the entire schedule takes about 140 minutes, if you book the 17:00 dinner, it is realistic to expect the end time to be around 19:20.

A 30-Minute Walk After the Hadoridongdong Stop, and Parking Behind the Building if You Have a Rental Car

If you use only public transportation, the travel time is long. The Korea Tourism Organization guide suggests taking bus 111 or 111-1 from Jeju International Airport or Jeju city center to the entrance of Seongsan Ilchulbong, transferring to route 201, getting off at Hadoridongdong Stop, and then walking about 30 minutes. If you have luggage or booked the 17:00 session, traveling by rental car or taxi is more practical.

Parking is available, and the Jeju Tourism Organization guide says you can use the parking area behind the building. Enter the address as “Haenyeo’s Kitchen, 2265 Haejauihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.” Since a 30-minute walk is required after the bus ride, it is a good idea to individually confirm accessibility for wheelchair users, strollers, or companions needing mobility assistance before booking.

• Example departure from airport/Jeju city: 111 or 111-1 → transfer at Seongsan Ilchulbong entrance → route 201
• Stop to get off: Hadoridongdong
• After the stop: about 30 minutes on foot
• Parking: available, guidance says to use behind the building
• Address entry: 2265 Haejauihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si

Choose the Session That Fits Your Travel Route Between the 12:00 Lunch and 17:00 Dinner

Jongdal branch only runs twice a day, so it is best to group your East Jeju itinerary by the hour. The 12:00 lunch can end around 14:20, and the 17:00 dinner can be expected to end around 19:20. These estimates are based on the official site’s stated program duration of about 140 minutes and may vary depending on Q&A and on-site operations.

Because the format combines a performance and a meal, it may not suit travelers looking for a quick bite. On the other hand, it is a clear destination for travelers who want to understand haenyeo labor, seafood, and the fishing-village space of Jongdal-ri in one place, for families with children aged 7 and up, and for itineraries traveling along the eastern coastal road of Jeju. The Bukchon branch is a separate 90-minute set-menu program operating at 31 Bukchon 9-gil, Jochon-eup, so make sure to confirm that you are booking the Jongdal branch to avoid mixing up the address and timetable.

8 Things to Check About Jongdal Branch Before Booking

Since the operating information for Jongdal branch may be displayed differently between the official page and the Jeju Tourism Organization page, you should check the date, session, and price on the official reservation screen again right before booking. The official Jongdal branch page states Thu-Sun, 12:00 and 17:00, about 140 minutes, 59,000 KRW, and ages 7 and up. The Jeju Tourism Organization content states that the information was written on February 6, 2025.

Saving the main site https://haenyeokitchen.com/branch/jongdal, the main phone number 070-5224-1828, and the Jongdal branch address Haejauihaean-ro 2265 makes it easier to check for changes. Foreign-language guidance, wheelchair seating, stroller storage, dietary restriction handling, pet accompaniment, and late-arrival handling are not confirmed in the public information, so direct inquiry before booking is necessary.

• Reservation location: Haenyeo’s Kitchen Jongdal branch
• Operating days: Thu-Sun
• Sessions: 12:00, 17:00
• Duration: about 140 minutes
• Admission standard: ages 7 and up
• Fee: 59,000 KRW
• Parking: available behind the building
• Inquiry: 070-5224-1828 / 0507-1385-1828