Be immersed into the sights and stories of Jeju island at Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore, an omakase dining experience that transports guests to South Korea’s volcanic island.
The restaurant in Singapore is the brand’s third location after two others in Jeju island. It part-theatre, part-gastronomic adventure and perfectly evokes the traditions of Jeju and the Haenyeo, or female free divers who are renowned for harvesting food from the sea without oxygen tanks.
Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore
Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore is located in the Annex Building of The Arts House, just beside the iconic white statue of Stamford Raffles along the bank of the Singapore River.
After we arrived, we were taken down a short passageway to reach the dining room. Decorated with items such as a Haenyeo Diving Suits, used by the free-diving women as they make the plunge into the cold waters off Jeju Island, and served as a prelude to the main dining experience.
We took our seats at the table where a slab of volcanic rock from Jeju served as a sturdy placemat. A small Dolhareubang or traditional stone guardian and personalised card made us feel welcomed.
Menu & Food at Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore
The Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore experience interweaves Jeju-inspired dishes with large-scale, immersive visuals, engaging storytelling and even audience participation to transport guests to the volcanic island and tell the spirit of the Haenyeo free divers.
The omakase menu is based on the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, and it also tells about how Jeju is interconnected through its ground, the sea, its people and the mountain, the mighty Hallasan.
The experience began with an introduction to Jeju Island by our host who was dressed in traditional Haenyeo attire, complete with face mask. Formed by lava eruptions and shaped by the sea, the island is known for its hardiness as well as its rich produce such as tangerines.
This segued into the first course, inspired by spring. The Salad with Jeju Tangerines was a fresh way to whet the appetite.
We also got to try Bingtteok, a Jeju specialty dish where seasoned radish and mugwort is wrapped up in a buckwheat crepe. We peeled a Jeju tangerine and was impressed at how sweet and juicy it was.
The summer menu item came in the form of Jeju Traditional Mulhoe with BBULSORA. This dish was beautifully presented with a conch shell on top that revealed a bowl of ingredients before the soup was added. This cold soup was surprisingly refreshing with a little spicy kick, bringing with it the taste of summer.
Autumn was the main course – a traditional Hansangcharim with banchan, meat, rice and soup. It arrived at the table on a huge woven basket with Korean pancakes, kimchi, seasonal greens and traditional pickets.
Slices of pork belly, sliced on a “dombe” or cutting board, paired with leaf wraps and ssam jang for satisfying mouthfuls.
The Winter course paid homage to Mount Halla with icing sugar “snow” topping a Yuzu Cake and paired with roasted rice tea to end the meal.
Experiencing the Jeju Spirit and Culture
The food was only one part of the entire experience. The other part was the theatrical presentations.
These told of Jeju Island through the seasons and the Haenyeo’s way of life. Through the large-scale visuals and enrapturing sound track, we were taken through the seasons on Jeju Island.
The highlight was a sing-along to a traditional song and some guests even got to play traditional instruments. It provided a sense of the community spirit on Jeju Island and the culture of helping and standing with one another.
By the end of two hours, we felt that we had experience a taste of Jeju Island through its food and its people. Perhaps, the only thing left to do is plan a visit to Jeju Isand and see it first-hand.
Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore
Where: The Arts House Annex Building, #01-04, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
When: Wednesday to Sundays – 12.30 pm, 5 pm and 7.45 pm. Lunch is on weekends only
Prices: $158 for the basic course, excluduing service and taxes. Reservations are a must.
Website: Jeju Haenyeo in Singapore
