Introduction
Jeju Island is not just famous for its scenic views and attractions, but also for its famous foods such as hallabong oranges and jeju Black Pig or heukdwaeji. Just as the name suggests, Jeju's black pig is all black in color and is raised to provide meat for special events.
Are you ready to learn more about the history of Black Pig origins, and where you can find it in the beautiful Jeju Island? Let's get right into it!
History
The Jeju black pig is a unique breed that’s rich in not just taste, but in history too. It’s a meat that's highly sought after, and many visitors globally would come to Jeju Island for this distinct delicacy.
In the earlier days, every house on the Island would raise their own Jeju pig in a place that was specially made for those pigs called dottongsi. The black pig was used for a variety of things, especially to dispose of food and human waste. As a result, the pig would produce rich fertilizer for farming.
Jeju pigs can easily be differentiated as it has:
- Black and glossy fur
- Short legs
- Long head
- Small ears
- Belly area that droops.
They are known to be well-adapted to Jeju’s climate, and also protect the humans from the Island’s snakes. The Jeju black pork was recognized for its meat that was filled with protein and its unique taste. The meat was put in several dishes like:
- dom-bae-go-ki (boiled pork with salted fish sauce),
- sundae (pork roll),
- ko-ki-kuk-su (pork noodle soup),
- mom-kuk (pork soup with seaweed).
The Jeju black pig has been well-documented since the end of the Goryeo Dynasty (1400s), when breeding was widespread throughout the area. However, when breeds from foreign came along in the early 1900s and in the 1930s, the black pork's numbers decreased.
There were a couple of reasons for the decline in the black pigs such as changes in lifestyle of the Jeju people, and lower profits. Jeju Livestock Promotion Institute has preserved and controlled Jeju’s black pigs since 1986 under a project that aims to restore Jeju black pigs.
In fact, since December 2023, the Jeju Special Self-governing Province Livestock Promotion Agency preserved and raised 306 native black pigs.
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Taste
The renowned black pig’s taste is more rich and tasty than that of the normal pig. Additionally, it's tender, a little bit more greasy and redder in color. You can distinguish it by the black spots of hair in the pork skin before it’s cooked.
The juicy exterior of the black pork and the burst of flavors can be enjoyed with famous Korean side dishes like radish, kimchi, spring onions, or dip it in salted sesame oil. Nevertheless, the the taste will leave you wanting for more.
Where to Buy
Jeju Island has authentic restaurants that serve black pork such as Neulbom Heukdwaji -- a two-storey specialty restaurant that serves black pork.
Location: 2343-3 Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City, Jeju-do
In Seogwipo City, there's an authentical black pork restaurant called Heukmijin. Along with black pig samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), you can also find other dishes like kalguksu (Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup) and shabu-shabu (hotpot).
Location: 443-1 Goseong-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju-do
You can also go to the famous Heukdwaeji Geori (Black Pork Street) in downtown Jeju City where you can find lots of restaurants that serve various dishes of black pork.
Location: Gwangdeok-ro, Konip-dong, Jeju City, Jeju-do
Conclusion
Jeju black pig is a culinary treasure of Jeju Island. It has a rich history that’s closely tied with the lives of Jeju people. It has become a ‘must-try’ food for tourists, and luckily, you’ll find many restaurants that specialize in black pork dishes all over Jeju Island.
So the next time you plan to visit Jeju, don’t forget to try Jeju’s famous black pork. You won’t regret it!
Image Sources
https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2019/10/slow-muscles-give-korean-native-pigs-their-tasty-pork/
https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/jeju-black-pork/
https://www.korvia.com/jeju-black-pork-league-of-its-own/korvia-image-photo-jeju-black-pork-jeju-pork-street/
Author: Aaliyah
