Tamra Bapsang in Jeju: Affordable Solo Meals
I expected it, but one of the hardest things about moving down to Jeju is figuring out what to eat. If I eat at home, I feel like I'm only eating canned food, but eating out is tricky because many places only serve portions for two or more.
Someone who used to stay in our building mentioned before leaving that Tamra Bapsang serves single-portion baekban (Korean home-style meals) and suggested I try it. I had forgotten about it until just now. I was so bored, hungry, and didn't know what to do, so I quickly drove over to Tamra Bapsang.
They call it a restaurant, but from the outside, it just looks like a regular house where a plant lover grows whatever they want. Still, it has a spacious parking lot, an electronic sign, and everything a restaurant should have.
I ordered the 9,000 won Tamra Bapsang meal. Looking at the menu, I don't think it's expensive, though the meat dishes seem a bit pricey. I haven't ordered it, but I feel like the plate of tilefish would literally just be the fish.
You can tell from the interior that the owner likes things neat and cute. Even though the plants are practically at jungle levels.
The food comes out really fast. It feels like the way food is served at a construction site cafeteria. As you can see from the photos, you don't feel like any of the side dishes are lacking. For a 9,000 won meal, it's pretty good. The important thing is the taste, and the lady here must be a great cook because the seasoning is neither too salty nor too bland—it's just right.
The kimchi is especially good. As you can see, the cutlassfish is just the tail piece, and the rest of the side dishes are things you could easily buy at a supermarket, so they didn't really stand out, but the kimchi is crisp and delicious. The bean sprout soup is also very refreshing; if I lived nearby, I would have stopped by for a hangover cure after drinking. Also, the soybean paste tastes great, making it excellent for dipping the cabbage.
I'd say it's an excellent spread for 9,000 won. You probably wouldn't come all the way to Jeju on vacation just to look for a 9,000 won meal, but it's a fantastic restaurant for people walking the Olle Trails on a tight budget. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an affordable but proper meal.