Jeju café for gamtae oranda tastings: Cheongchuni Oranda

Have you ever wondered what to bring back from Jeju? Today, I’m going to tell you about a place in Jeju Dongmun Market that people line up to buy from.

It’s Cheongchuni Oranda (청춘이오란다) Dongmun Market Main Branch, a place everyone in the know knows about. Let’s start this sweet little visit!

How to find Cheongchuni Oranda Dongmun Market Main Branch

It is in one of the inner passageways of Dongmun Market. A round oranda sign hangs from the ceiling, so just look up and you will spot it right away. Look for the orange sign with a bear-shaped logo. You can check the exact location on the map below.

What kinds of oranda are on the counter?

The counter in front of the shop is packed with oranda, a Korean puffed-rice snack. There are more varieties than I expected. Peanut, garlic, gamtae (seaweed), and Udo peanut are all laid out for you to choose from. The square packaging also looked handy for slipping into a bag.

Oranda prices and the buy-three deal

Price cards are displayed on the counter.

• Square gamtae oranda: ₩4,000
• Square Udo peanut oranda: ₩4,000
• Square garlic oranda: ₩3,500
• Square peanut oranda: ₩3,500
• Buy 3 for ₩10,000, though only up to 2 can be gamtae or Udo peanut
• Choose 3 made up only of gamtae or Udo peanut for ₩11,000

How is the oranda made in the shop?

The back of the shop is the worktable itself. They were pulling out whole slabs of oranda and letting them cool on a huge cutting board. The large pieces are cut right there and passed on for packaging. Seeing them make it right in front of me made it feel trustworthy.

Long strips of oranda are stood upright in containers. Their colors differ slightly, so you can tell them apart. The white ones are puffed rice, while the yellowish ones have sesame seeds or peanuts mixed in.

Why I chose the gamtae oranda after tasting it

There is a tasting plate on one side of the counter. Small pieces of each variety are cut up so you can taste before choosing. I tried them here and decided on the gamtae one. The sweetness was not strong, and the finish was clean.

Are there Jeju gift boxes too?

They do not sell only individual pieces. Separate oranda gift boxes are ready as well. Individual packets fill each compartment in the box, making it just right to take as a Jeju Dongmun Market gift. There were also pumpkin yakgwa (Korean honey cookies) made with Korean wheat beside them.

You can tell they put some thought into the design on the outside of the box, too. It shows a character in a hat holding oranda, and it definitely feels more like a gift than simply putting it in a bag.

What the gamtae oranda tasted like at my accommodation

I brought it back to my accommodation and took one out to try. The gamtae oranda is coated in gamtae. When you bite into it, the first thing you hear is a crunch. Sweetness comes first, followed by a subtle ocean-like gamtae aroma that lingers. It is not just a sweet snack—you keep reaching for it.

Is the individual packaging easy for sharing?

When you open the box, rows of individually wrapped pieces are inside. Since each one is separately wrapped, there is no need to worry about them going stale. They are easy to share, and it is nice to carry just a few in your bag.

The production date is printed on the wrapper. It is helpful when choosing because you can see the date it was made right away. Each individually wrapped piece is just a little too big for one bite.

When you open up the whole box, it is filled like this. There is a generous amount, so it would not feel lacking even if you brought it to hand out at the office.

My honest take after trying it

• You can taste before you buy. A tasting plate is available, so you can choose what suits your taste.
• It is made on the spot. You can watch it being pulled and made in the back of the shop.
• Gift packaging is available. There are separate gift boxes, so it is easy to carry along.

To sum it up, if you are wondering what souvenir to buy at Jeju Dongmun Market, this place is worth stopping by. The individual wrapping makes it good for sharing, and it is not overly sweet, so adults seemed to enjoy it too. You could stop in while choosing a Jeju Dongmun Market gift or looking around the market’s food spots. How about gamtae oranda for today’s snack?