First-timer's horse meat lunch course in Jungmun, Jeju: Marijoa

While traveling around Jeju, I wanted to try something a little different, so I visited Marijoa Seogwipo Jungmun Branch haha 😆 When you think of Jeju, black pork or braised hairtail usually come to mind first, right~ But did you know you can also eat horse meat here in Jeju? 🐴

This was my first time really eating it properly, and there were more menu options than I expected, plus the taste was pretty good! It was especially fascinating that you could try horse meat in so many different ways — tartare, sashimi, sushi, braised ribs, grilled, and hot pot haha

The atmosphere and parking at Marijoa Seogwipo Jungmun Branch

Walking in, the space was bigger and cleaner than I expected! The tables weren't cramped either, so it was easy to eat comfortably, and overall it had a relaxed feel that I liked 😊

Best of all, there was plenty of parking, so driving there wasn't a hassle at all. It seemed like a comfortable spot for anyone traveling around Jeju looking for a place to eat with family or a group :)

First time trying horse meat? Order the Joa Course

We ordered the Joa Course that day. Since it was our first time trying horse meat, we didn't know what to choose, so ordering the course was great — it let us taste a little of everything~ Every time a dish came out, the staff explained the order and how to eat it, so it wasn't difficult even for first-timers like us 😊

What's in the Joa Course (₩39,000 per person)

1. Horse meat extract

First up is a warm cup of horse meat extract. Apparently it's a traditional health tonic. Drinking a warm cup before the meal felt like it warmed up my body before digging into the actual food~ Starting off with something so different from a regular meat restaurant made me feel like I was really getting into Jeju's local food haha

2. Tartare, sashimi, and sushi

Honestly, eating horse meat raw was a first for me, so I was a little nervous, but it turned out cleaner-tasting than expected.

The sashimi came with a piece of brisket on the side, and the staff said it's best eaten before it melts, so I dipped it straight into the sesame oil sauce! It was chewy and nutty and really tasty..? (Wait, horse fat can be this nutty...? 😦 lol)

The particular smell I was worried about was barely noticeable, so it was easier to eat than expected. After cleansing my palate with some fresh spring rolls, I moved through the sushi in order — tartare sushi first, then sashimi sushi —

The tartare sushi was sweet and chewy, while the sashimi sushi felt light and clean! If it's your first time with horse meat, starting with these sushi dishes might be a good way in.

3. Makkas and braised ribs

There was that distinct horse meat texture, but instead of the toughness I'd imagined, it was actually chewy in a fun-to-eat way!

4. Grilled horse meat and hot pot

After that came the makkas, braised ribs, and grilled meat. There was still that chewy horse meat texture, but it wasn't as tough as I'd expected. For the grilled meat especially, I followed the staff's tip of eating the fat and lean meat together, which added a nutty richness that was really delicious!

Finally, the hot pot arrived, and I really felt like I'd had a full course 😆 Eating it raw versus grilled versus in hot pot each gave a completely different impression, which made trying all the different preparations fun.

Why it's a good lunch spot in Jungmun

When you're looking for lunch in Jungmun, Jeju, you tend to see black pork or seafood menus everywhere, so I wanted to try something a bit different this time, and choosing horse meat turned out to be quite satisfying. It seems especially good if you're visiting with a group, since sharing all the different course items works well. If you're looking for lunch in Jungmun and want to try Jeju food that's a bit out of the ordinary, horse meat might be worth experiencing at least once :)

Final thoughts

This was my first time trying horse meat, and it turned out to be more delicious than expected, so it stuck with me. What I liked most was being able to try so many different preparations at once — tartare, sashimi, sushi, braised ribs, grilled meat, and hot pot.

So if you're searching for horse meat in Seogwipo or horse meat in Jungmun and it's your first time like it was mine, I'd recommend trying it as a course 🐴 If you're looking for a slightly different meal in Jeju beyond the usual dishes, I'd recommend this 💛