Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market

Under the arcade roof in the middle of old Seogwipo, an artificial stream with fish and water plants runs down the centre of the market lane. Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is the largest and oldest permanent market in Seogwipo, where tangerines and hallabong citrus, fish landed that morning and street snacks all come together, so it works well for a meal stop on any day in southern Jeju. A Jeju Olle walking route passes straight through, and Lee Jung-seop Street and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall are close by.

History: from neighbourhood market to visitor favourite

The market was officially established in 1960, growing out of a trading spot that had formed naturally around that time. It first sold farm produce and everyday goods, then lost customers in the 1990s as local supermarkets spread. From 2000 to 2003 it was covered with an arcade roof and given a car park, and in 2004 the stalls and signs were standardised. In the 2010s, when walking the Jeju Olle Trail became hugely popular, hikers and tourists poured in and the market became one of the fastest-growing traditional markets in the country. "Olle" is the Jeju word for the narrow lane leading from a main road to a house.

What to see

• Seafood section: many stalls will slice the fish you choose as sashimi, and some label which fish were caught that same day.
• Tangerines and hallabong: in season many visitors ship whole boxes home. Hallabong juice is a market favourite.
• Street food: try Jeju snacks such as omegi-tteok, a rice cake made with glutinous millet, and bing-tteok, a thin buckwheat crepe rolled around seasoned radish.
• The central stream: the long artificial channel with fish and plants is a hit with children.
• Outdoor stage: local groups often put on performances and events here.

Good to know

• In 2017 the market had 216 shops and 103 street stalls; a 2022 survey counted an average of 9,034 customers a day.
• In February 2024 the market stage even hosted a performance of a traditional Jeju shamanic ritual (gut).
• The market accepts overseas payment methods, and merchants have taken part in training to serve foreign visitors.

Nearby

• Cheonjiyeon Waterfall: about 1 km south, roughly 15 minutes on foot. It is often open into the evening with lighting, so it pairs well with a market visit.
• Lee Jung-seop Street: the street where the painter Lee Jung-seop lived as a refugee during the Korean War, now lined with a small art museum and workshops.
• Saeyeongyo Bridge and Saeseom Island: cross the bridge in Seogwipo harbour and walk the loop path around the islet.

Tripto tips

• Hours: the market is described as open around the clock, but how many stalls are actually open varies greatly by time of day. Late in the evening many shops are shut, so go during the day or early evening.
• Time needed: 45 to 90 minutes for browsing and snacks.
• Walk on: Lee Jung-seop Street is about 8 minutes away on foot, and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Saeyeongyo Bridge are also within walking distance. Combine the market with a stroll around old Seogwipo.
• Parking: there is a public car park for the market, but it gets busy on weekend afternoons. Seogwipo city buses are often the easier option.