Traditional Korean - Doraji Restaurant

Shoot. I can't believe I forgot to take an exterior photo of this place.

Forgive me, it must have been because Jeju-do was extremely cold at the time

and I was extremely tired and full at this point of my day

Nonetheless, Doraji shikdang (Restaurant) is one of my favorites in Jeju.

As full as I was from the morning stew, lunch buffet,

and a friggin jumbo sized hamburger (in my defense, herb burger),

I really didn't think I could eat anymore.

I really didn't.

But I had plans meeting up with some friends that are locals of the Island,

whom I haven't seen for over a year...

So I carried on over to this restaurant, that has become a semi-tradition for us.

Their meu is on the table, beneath the glass.

some of their highlights & popular dishes (or so I think)

Below is a yellow abalone porridge (or in Chinese, congee)

which is a style available only in Jeju-do.

However there's another place that is more famous

for their Jeju-style abalone porridge!

I haven't got the chance to visit the place this trip...

PM or email if you're really curious, or plan to visit.

Yum yum. Some awesome banchan.

My favorite banchan of theirs -- seasoned 'coral fish'.

literally two bites, although beware of their bones!

The first time I visited the restaurant, I was so fascinated with this dish,

I've had probably 5 dishful of these little buggers.

In the end, I was a bit too full to eat the ordered menu...

Cuttlefish Ice soup

Something I seriously crave, but available only in Jeju.

My local friend explained to me that there are several different styles of

"ice soups" in regional areas of Korea.

However, Jeju is the only location

that uses a fermented bean base for the broth.

Absolutely De-li-cious! A must try.

Oh, the cuttlefish is raw by the way.

But don't worry, you'll love it -- I promise!

Braised Hairtail fish

This is kind of spicy, but not as spicy as it looks.

I know, it looks deadly, but it's survivable if you have some heat tolerance.

I honestly enjoy Mackerel more than Hairtail, but this is more expensive locally,

and is fishable around the Jeju area, so it's a popular choice among visiters.

(still more expensive than the mackerel here)

It's the common opinion that you have to eat Hairtail if you visit Jeju-do

since it's considered 'local fare, caught fresh!'

 Fried Tile Fish

Tile Fish is another one of those "gotta eat if you're here" type of deals,

it's alright, but nothing too spectacular.

Caught locally, cooked locally, that's the main merit

I love when old restaurants keep their old photos for display.

This restaurant is one of the older ones that survived as well,

they've moved locations quite a few times now.

Quite popular among the locals, in my opinion -- compared to Yuri's (Yuri-ne)

Their newest location now allows a lot of parking space. Awesome!

Opened their doors May 24th, 1978.

Close to the airport!

A first-stop for lunch, perhaps?

If you want some really authentic Jeju-do food ;-)

Doraji Shikdang

064-722-3142

Closed on the second and fourth Tuesdays.