Mint @ Phoenix Island (Seopjikoji, Jeju Island)

There are some restaurants on Jeju Island that are must-visit places not only for the food but for their impeccable design and aesthetics. Mint Restaurant is one of them. Located on the eastern coast of Jeju called Seopjikoji, this fine dining establishment serves delicious fusion dishes in a breathtaking setting overlooking Jeju’s beautiful coastline. The restaurant, which prides itself by using local, season ingredients, is situated on the 2nd floor of The Glass House, a building designed by famed architect Tadao Ando. As the name suggests, the V-shaped building is covered with floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowing diners to enjoy pristine, magnificent views of UNESCO heritage site Sunrise Peak and Jeju’s unique volcanic coastline. Lucky for me and my girlfriend, we got front row seats thanks to an early-made reservation (highly recommended) and a special birthday celebration.

To celebrate the special occasion, I did the honors by ordering the 3-course lunch set with lobster and tenderloin steak as the mains and everything else playing the role of “snacks.” Simply put, both were very delicious and very well executed. The steak was cooked perfectly to medium (as requested) and couldn’t have been any softer, more tender, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Suffice to say, the steak (albeit a tad small) was thoroughly enjoyed along with the savory sauce. As for the lobster (again a tad small but still a winner), was nicely seasoned with some lemon/citrus zest thrown in the mix, and the extra cheese did no harm. To be honest with you, my girlfriend and I hadn’t eaten much Western food ever since we decided to devote our entire time (and entire meals) to Korean food, so I am sure any decent food would have impressed us. Not to take anything away from the restaurant, it was wholeheartedly a lovely meal enjoyed in a top-notch setting all the while creating lasting memories for me and the lady friend. 🙂

A few more notable observations:

Mint Restaurant serves a very popular jeonbok (abalone) course meal that I thought was going to be on the menu. It was not. According to the staff, it’s a seasonal dish offered only in the spring and fall seasons. The jeonbok used in the course meals are hand-caught by the local haeynos (female free divers).
If on a budget, I recommend going with one of their teas, coffee, or desserts. This way you’ll get to experience the unforgettable views without breaking the bank.
To get the best seat in the house, make a reservation ahead of time and request the far-end table closest to the edge. You won’t regret it nor the spectacular views.
Make sure to enjoy the four seasons outdoor flower garden and the amazing coastal trails after your meal. It’s the most amazing scenery that Jeju has to offer and it’s FREE!

Food: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Service: ★★★½ out of 5 stars

Ambiance: ★★★★★ out of 5 stars

Value: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Mint @ Phoenix Island Resort (Glass House, 2nd Floor)

127-2, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju

Telephone: 064-731-7000 (Ext. 7773)

Hours: 11:30am to 10:00pm (Saturday from 11am to 11:00pm weekends)

Click here for directions: http://me2.do/FKP0WmIA