Jeju Osulloc Green Tea Garden: A paradise for matcha lovers, where you can enjoy afternoon tea and pick up souvenirs all in one place!
박해연
19 days ago
For this trip to Jeju Island, one of the things I looked forward to the most was visiting the Osulloc Green Tea Garden. I had already heard that this place is not just a simple tea garden, but also has a tea culture exhibition hall and plenty of souvenirs to buy. The most attractive part is being able to enjoy a variety of green tea-themed afternoon treats while admiring the scenery. After actually visiting, I truly feel it's worth sharing because both the environment and the desserts left a deep impression on me.
The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive at the park is the vast tea fields, stretching endlessly in lush green. Just looking at them makes you feel relaxed. It’s like letting go of all the tension from the city at once, and suddenly even the air seems sweeter. In addition to walking around and taking photos, there’s also an exhibition area in the park where you can learn about the history of Korean tea and the tea-making process. Even though there’s a lot of information, the interactive design makes it interesting and not boring at all.
But to be honest, what I was really looking forward to was afternoon tea. As soon as I walked into Osulloc Café, my eyes were immediately drawn to the whole row of cakes and drinks behind the counter. Since I had seen photos shared online before, I already had a few must-try items in mind. Seeing them in person still made me gasp—they're so beautiful! I ended up ordering a matcha mille crepe cake, a matcha strawberry mousse cake, and an orange smoothie with ice cream.
Speaking of drinks, the orange slush is really super refreshing. There's even a slice of dried orange on top, paired with the ice cream inside. With one sip, it's sweet and tangy, with a hint of creamy ice cream flavor—really perfect for summer. Jeju Island's tangerines are already famous, and using them in drinks is just as good as the local matcha specialties.
Next is the mille crepe cake. As soon as this cake was served, I knew I had made the right choice. The matcha powder was generously sprinkled, and the aroma of tea immediately filled my senses without any bitterness. The crepe layers were very delicate, dense yet slightly chewy, and blended perfectly with the matcha fresh cream. After the first bite, I thought that if I weren’t in Korea, I’d really want to take a whole one home.
The other matcha strawberry mousse cake has a soft pink appearance, with small decorations on top, giving it a very girly vibe. When sliced, it has three layers: a crispy cookie base on the bottom, rich matcha mousse in the middle, and a layer of strawberry-scented mousse on top. The bitterness of the matcha combined with the sweet and sour taste of the strawberry is surprisingly well balanced. It's sweet but not heavy, and eating the whole cake doesn't feel overwhelming.
While enjoying by the window, the garden outside was full of flowers and plants, with a small pond that made the whole view incredibly beautiful. I couldn't help but take pictures while eating, feeling that this kind of afternoon tea time was truly healing. Especially during a trip when you're often walking around, having a place like this to quietly sit, enjoy the scenery, and eat dessert really makes the experience even better.
Besides dining, Osulloc is also a paradise for buying souvenirs. There are all kinds of tea gift boxes, tea powder, tea snacks, and even co-branded products with Hello Kitty, with packaging that's super cute. I totally lost control while browsing and ended up carrying out several bags. There was matcha chocolate, tea gift boxes, and the tea cookies my friend asked me to bring. Looking at those bags, I felt like my wallet took a hit, but I was also really satisfied.
When I left, I looked back at the tea plantation one more time. I thought to myself, this place is not just a tourist check-in spot; it really combines 'tea culture' with 'the enjoyment of life.' You can learn about tea here, or you can simply relax, have a drink, eat a piece of cake, and enjoy a moment of leisure. If I have the chance to come to Jeju again, I’ll definitely visit once more, because I think every season brings a different experience.
In summary, Osulloc Green Tea Garden is truly a wonderful place that combines nature, cuisine, and culture. For me, the best memory is sitting by the window, looking out at the lush greenery and flowers, with a piece of matcha cake and a cold drink in hand. In that moment, I felt that the best part of traveling is just this—finding a little corner where you can temporarily forget your everyday worries and fully enjoy your own time.
