Jeju Shopping Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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Currency exchange storefront near Jeju Dongmun Market
A currency exchange counter near Jeju Dongmun Market · Photo © sunny

Shopping in Jeju sounds simple until you're standing at Olive Young wondering if the tax refund kiosk is even open, or realizing your cash exchange spot closed an hour ago. I've made most of these mistakes myself, so this page pulls together everything I've learned into one place.

Whether you're here for K-beauty, duty-free deals, or just need to swap currency before hitting the market, here's where to start.

☀️ Sunny's Tip Bookmark this page before your trip. It's the one I keep coming back to whenever a friend visiting Jeju asks "wait, where do I exchange money again?"
📖 Table of Contents

1. 💰 Where to Exchange Money
2. 🛍️ Duty-Free & Tax Refund
3. 🧴 Olive Young K-Beauty Shopping
4. 🥬 Local Markets & Supermarkets

1. 💰 Where to Exchange Money

Currency exchange in Jeju isn't obvious for first-time visitors — the airport counters aren't always the best rate, and Dongmun Market has its own quirks. This guide breaks down every option.

2. 🛍️ Duty-Free & Tax Refund

If you're buying anything beyond souvenirs, the duty-free and tax refund process can save you real money — but only if you know which counters accept which paperwork. Here's the full walkthrough, covering the airport, Jungmun, and the cruise port.

3. 🧴 Olive Young K-Beauty Shopping

Olive Young — Korea's biggest health and beauty retail chain, found on nearly every main street — is usually the first stop for K-beauty shopping. I've written a few different angles on it depending on what you're looking for, from island-specific souvenirs to general K-beauty strategy.

Olive Young storefront in Jeju for K-beauty shopping
An Olive Young storefront in Jeju · Photo © sunny

4. 🥬 Local Markets & Supermarkets

Jeju's traditional five-day markets run on their own rotating schedule, and even local supermarkets close on set dates each month. Knowing this in advance saves a wasted trip.

Sehwa Folk Five-Day Market entrance sign in Jeju
The entrance sign for Sehwa Folk Five-Day Market · Photo © sunny

That's everything I've got on shopping in Jeju so far — I'll keep adding to this page as I write more. If you only read one thing before you go, make it the money exchange guide; everything else works out a lot easier once that's sorted.