Jeju Dongmun Market snack shop at 9am opening: nut oranda, gwajul set

Why Cheongchuni Oranda for a Jeju Dongmun Market souvenir?

On the last day of my Jeju trip, I stopped by Jeju Dongmun Market. I wanted to look around at the food I'd eaten during the trip and also pick up souvenirs to bring home. While searching for something the whole family would like — nothing too polarizing for kids or adults — I headed straight to Cheongchuni Oranda first, since it's so famous here. The line was so long I could spot the shop from a distance, haha.

Cheongchuni Oranda Dongmun Market Main Branch: address and hours

Cheongchuni Oranda Dongmun Market Main Branch is located at 6-8 Dongmun-ro, 1st floor, Jeju-si, and it's open daily from 9am to 8pm. You can watch the staff making the snacks right in the shop, and there are lots of flavors to sample. I went first thing in the morning at opening and picked mine up right away.

Tasting at night, back at the 9am opening the next morning

Actually, I first stopped by Cheongchuni Oranda the night before. While wandering around Dongmun Market I tried a sample, and it was way better than I expected. It wasn't the hard, crunchy texture you usually get with oranda (sweet rice puff) — it was crisp yet soft to chew, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.

My husband and kids like oranda too, so back at our lodging we kept saying, "Should we go buy some tomorrow?" — and in the end, we went back the next morning the moment the shop opened at 9am.

Inside the shop and the gift packaging

The shop had many varieties of oranda and gwajul (fried rice snack) on display. Since I'd already tasted things the night before, it was fairly easy to decide what to buy. As a popular Jeju travel gift, the packages are nicely put together, and Cheongchuni Oranda also ships nationwide by courier.

What I picked was the nut oranda and a gwajul set. I usually go for snacks the whole family can share, so I chose something good for splitting among several people. I also liked that it's a traditional snack you can only really get in Jeju. For all these reasons, Cheongchuni Oranda ended up being one of the Jeju Dongmun Market souvenirs I chose on this trip.

Yuzu oranda vs nut oranda: how they taste

Cheongchuni Oranda comes in a variety of flavors. The yuzu oranda has the fragrant, tangy flavor of yuzu layered over the sweet base — the yuzu aroma spreads gently through your mouth, making it feel fresher than regular oranda.

The nut oranda I chose is, true to its name, packed with nuts. The first bite gives you that crisp texture, and the more you chew, the more the nutty flavor comes through.

The sweetness of the oranda itself pairs really well with the mild, savory nuts, so it never felt overly sweet. With the nuts in there, the chewing itself feels more satisfying too — great as a kids' snack, and it also goes really well with coffee or tea.

Gwajul set: white rice, brown rice, buckwheat and steamed rice

I also liked the gwajul set I bought along with the oranda. Each type of gwajul has a slightly different flavor and texture, which made it perfect for sharing one of each with the family. If oranda has more of a chewy, hearty bite, gwajul is all about that light, crisp crunch. Having both meant we got to enjoy two completely different textures and flavors.

• White rice gwajul: crisp and sweet
• Brown rice gwajul: nutty and mild
• Buckwheat gwajul: mainly nutty and mild, great if you like buckwheat's distinctive earthy flavor
• Steamed rice gwajul: crisp and sweet, an easy flavor for kids to enjoy without hesitation

How to store oranda and gwajul

Keeping oranda and gwajul crisp is key, so it's best to store them sealed so moisture can't get in. Once opened, seal the package tightly to keep air out, and store it somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Gwajul in particular can lose its crunch if it absorbs moisture, so it's best to only take out what you'll eat and reseal the rest right away. Expiration dates and recommended storage can vary by product, so checking the label after purchase is the most reliable way to know for sure.

Is Cheongchuni Oranda a good Jeju souvenir for the family?

Having bought Cheongchuni Oranda myself, I could see why it makes a good Jeju Dongmun Market souvenir. For one, you get to enjoy familiar traditional snacks like oranda and gwajul with a special Jeju twist, and there's enough variety to pick based on your taste. Plus, the gift sets make it easy to share with family or friends.

Best of all, you can taste before you buy, so even first-timers can find something to their liking. If you're visiting Dongmun Market looking for something a little different to eat, I'd definitely recommend tasting your way through and picking for yourself.

I tasted Cheongchuni Oranda the night before and liked it so much I went back the next morning. The nut oranda I bought had a great balance of nutty flavor and sweet oranda, and the gwajul set was satisfying with its range of white rice, brown rice, buckwheat, and steamed rice flavors. My husband and kids enjoyed them too, which made me glad I picked this as our family snack.