If you’re not vegetarian, however, it’s virtually a crime to visit Jeju without tasting black pork. Cha says that black pork barbecues are most popular in summer “because many, many people came here in summer from other places… and they like barbecue black pork.” You’ll find black pork restaurants all over the island – including Black Pork Street, an entire road dedicated to the dish in downtown Jeju City. Generally, any busy restaurant will serve good-quality pork; but if you’re looking for something tried-and-tested, Donsadon is one of the most famous.

You'll find heukdwaeji (black pork) all over Jeju, but a can't miss place is Donsadon, where they grill skin-on pork belly and other cuts over coal briquettes, lending the meat a delightfully smoky flavor. Wash the meat down with a shot, or several shots, of Hallasan soju, a much beloved local firewater. If you're still hungry after the meat, order some spicy kimchi jjigae stew and a bowl of rice.

Samseonghyeol Haemultang | cham-mas-naheug-dwaeji | 88 pork | Jewon Samgyetang | 강호동백정 제주점 | Dombedon | 24 Hour Spicy Pork Rib Stew | Mori | Biwon | Samdajeong | Hwaro Hyang | Bhc Chicken Beer Plate | 회양과국수군 | BOMNAL CAFE | Rajmahal Indian Restaurant | Hae-o-rem Sikdang | yeon-dong-bon-ga | Jeju Gommak Restaurant | Dongmen Traditional Market | Hyundai Ok | Blanc Rocher Cafe | Samdae Guksu | Sunset&hill Cafe | Donhyanggi | Jeju Montrak Jeju Main | Aewolian | Sushi Hoshikai | Zhenqingbao Fish Seafood Soup | Cheeses paired ribs | Donsadon (Main Branch)-17097322/ "Donsadon (Main Branch)")

There’s a difference between the regular pork and Jeju black pork, and we won’t elaborate on it too much — all you need to know is that it’s delicious and you’ve got to try it if you haven’t already. The hog is native to Jeju Island, so you’ll find many places serving it, but we’re recommending a fool-proof locale that’s popular amongst locals and celebrities too. You won’t have to lift a finger at Donsadon as the textured slabs of meat come to the table: the staff will come to cook and cut the meat in front of you so you can enjoy the juicy pieces in its best form.

If in Vietnam, black pork is a specialty of highlands, in Jeju, there is also a very special black pig dish. The black pig breed raised on the island is a precious pig breed only available here. When traveling around the island, you will see organic pig farms in a small model.