World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Jeju grows most of South Korea’s buckwheat and develops new products
Jeju produces 83% of South Korea’s buckwheat, according to 2024 figures.
The island’s farming goddess, Jacheongbi, features in a local legend explaining how buckwheat seeds arrived late from heaven.
The crop helped feed people during poor harvests because it grows well in Jeju’s harsh soil and matures quickly.
Buckwheat is used in local dishes such as bingtteok, a thin buckwheat pancake rolled around shredded radish.
Its white flowers bloom in spring and autumn, drawing visitors to the island.
Jeju’s agricultural research center has developed instant porridge and rice cakes using buckwheat flour processed to mix more easily and stay soft.
The center has also developed buckwheat-based traditional drinks, including a 12% alcohol rice wine and a roughly 14% refined wine.
It plans to apply for a patent in November and transfer the production technology to local breweries to support commercialization.
Jeju produced 83% of South Korea’s buckwheat in 2024, according to national statistics cited by Yonhap.
The island’s Agriculture Technology Institute has developed instant buckwheat porridge and bite-sized buckwheat rice cakes.
It has also developed methods for making buckwheat-based takju and yakju using Jeju-grown buckwheat.
Buckwheat has long been used in Jeju food and was once an important crop during food shortages.
Jeju is also developing tourism activities around buckwheat flowers, which bloom in spring and autumn.
- Who
- Jeju’s Agriculture Technology Institute is developing new buckwheat foods and drinks.
- What
- Jeju is expanding buckwheat uses, including instant foods and traditional alcoholic drinks.
- When
- The article was published on October 31, 2026; it reports recent product development and plans for November.
- Where
- Jeju, South Korea.
- Why
- The island is seeking new uses for its buckwheat, including convenient foods, traditional drinks and tourism activities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jeju had 3,236 hectares of buckwheat cultivation, 87% of South Korea’s total, and produced 2,586 tonnes, 83% of the national total.
The Agriculture Technology Institute developed its own steamed buckwheat flour.
The institute developed prototypes of instant buckwheat porridge and rice cakes, as well as methods for making buckwheat-based traditional drinks.
The institute plans to apply for a patent for its buckwheat alcohol-making technology.
The institute plans to develop recipes combining Jeju local food and buckwheat.
- Jeju share of national buckwheat production in 2024
- 83%
- Jeju buckwheat cultivation area in 2024
- 3,236 hectares
- Jeju buckwheat production in 2024
- 2,586 tonnes
- Takju alcohol content
- 12%
- Yakju alcohol content
- About 14%
- Planned patent application
- November 2026