Jeju City tea house for matcha oreum and strawberry latte: Dobana

Everyone who comes to Jeju looks for pretty ocean-view cafés, right? Until recently, I was exactly the same — ocean view or nothing. But this time, near the airport, I stumbled across a place completely by chance, and I fell for it so hard I wondered why I hadn't found it sooner. A spacious, comfortable space full of delicious bakery items and special teas that capture Jeju — that's Dobana, and I want to tell you all about it.

Dobana, a large Jeju City café 10 minutes from the airport with plenty of parking

Dobana sits in Jeju City, just about 10 minutes by car from Jeju Airport, and the moment I arrived, the spacious parking lot put my mind at ease. Stressing over parking at the start of a trip can wear you out fast, but here even a nervous beginner driver like me could park without a worry.

The exterior was clean and modern, but stepping inside revealed a completely different charm. Warm wood-toned interiors dotted with lush green plants made it feel so comfortable the whole time I stayed. Best of all, the space was so wide and pleasant that I never had to worry about the next table over — it felt like our own private time.

What is in Dobana's bakery showcase and signature drink menu?

The moment I walked into Dobana, the smell of freshly baked bread hit me, and my feet naturally wandered toward the bakery showcase. I instantly understood why this place has been getting word-of-mouth buzz as a dessert spot among large Jeju City cafés. From apple pastry to mocha salt bread and pollack roe mayo salt bread, the breads were displayed so neatly that just looking at them made my mouth water. You could tell each one had been baked with care.

Looking at the menu, the café's own signature drinks caught my eye — names drawn from Jeju's nature like matcha oreum and hojicha oreum, alongside refreshing options like grapefruit omija tea and strawberry latte. I spent a good while deciding.

In the end, we each ordered according to our taste: matcha oreum, strawberry latte, and a grapefruit omija tea whose deep red color looked refreshing just to look at.

How did the matcha oreum, strawberry latte and grapefruit omija tea taste?

When the buzzer went off and we picked up our drinks, they passed the visual test right away. Served beautifully in glass cups, the drinks matched Dobana's warm atmosphere so well I couldn't stop taking photos.

I tried the matcha oreum first — bitter, rich matcha topped with soft, sweet ice cream made for a truly fantastic combination.

My friend's strawberry latte wasn't artificially sweet at all — it had fresh flavor with real fruit pulp you could bite into, and the grapefruit omija tea was tangy-sweet and refreshingly crisp, leaving my mouth feeling clean.

Sipping our drinks while watching sunlight pour through the wide windows, I felt the fatigue of daily life melt away. You could tell care had gone into every little object and piece of furniture, which made it fun just to look around. There was even a corner displaying elegant tea sets, which made me think I should come back properly for tea sometime. It's a place perfect for reading or working quietly alone, and just as good for chatting with a group.

Tips for visiting Dobana and booking Dobanui Jeongwon

Dobana is close not only to Jeju Airport but also to Gwandeokjeong, Dongmun Market, and Tapdong, making it a perfect first or last stop on your trip. While looking around the store, I noticed that a space called 'Dobanui Jeongwon' (도반의 정원, Dobana's Garden) runs on a reservation-only basis. If you're hoping for an even quieter, more special space, it's worth inquiring in advance. With teas and desserts full of Jeju's flavors, it's a place that's sure to satisfy anyone who visits.

Dobana Tea House: hours, address and parking

• Name: Dobana Tea House
• Address: 29 Seosa-ro, 1st floor, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
• Directions: Near Seomun Intersection; by bus, get off at Gwandeokjeong and walk toward Seomun Intersection
• Hours: 10:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Amenities: large dedicated parking lot, Wi-Fi, group seating, separate men's/women's restrooms, takeout and reservations available

If you're looking for a spacious, comfortable place in Jeju that offers real rest rather than the usual scene, be sure to visit Dobana, a beloved dessert spot among Jeju City's large cafés. With its warmth and delicious desserts waiting for you, this place will surely gift you a moment of good, easy leisure.