Harye Jeongwon: Seogwipo Pasta on Olle Trail Route 5
While walking Olle Trail Route 5, I spotted a nice-looking restaurant and kept it in mind, finally visiting today. I didn't even realize it was a restaurant at first until I saw people slurping noodles by the window. It seems like a place with a beautiful garden, but unfortunately, it looks a bit bare since it's winter.
As expected for a pasta place, the prices are on the higher side. Pasta is already pricey, and an Italian restaurant in Jeju is never going to be cheap. With that in mind, looking at the menu, I figured it was worth trying at least once. A lot of reviews mentioned the seafood oil pasta was good, so I ordered that.
The complimentary bread came out, followed by the pasta. The mussels immediately caught my eye, along with shrimp of various sizes. Tasting it, this place definitely has a unique touch. Even though it's an oil pasta, it doesn't just have an oily feel; there's a creaminess to it as well. If rosé is a mix of tomato and cream, this dish tastes like a mix of oil and cream. I'm not sure if it's actual cream, crab meat, or tomalley (crab paste), but it's definitely not a pure, oil-only pasta.
Because it's so packed with seafood, picking at it piece by piece naturally slows down your meal. Eating delicately with the antique fork, the plate was empty before I knew it. In Jeju, unless you're at a place selling local Korean food, the portions tend to be on the smaller side.
If you're walking Olle Trail Route 5 and getting tired of local Jeju food or raw fish, I recommend checking out Harye Jeongwon for a refreshing change of pace. Since "Jeongwon" (garden) is literally in the name, they must be confident in their landscaping. It's probably best to visit in the spring or summer to fully enjoy the visual experience.