Ulleungdo Travel Guide: The Backdrop of Netflix's "Kian's Bizarre BnB"

 

Ulleungdo is a mysterious volcanic island located in the East Sea of Korea, offering a special travel destination where you can experience pristine nature and unique local culture. This beautiful island, which serves as the backdrop for Netflix's variety show "Kian's Bizarre BnB" (대환장 기안장), boasts spectacular coastal scenery, lush forests, unique volcanic topography, and clean seas.

Ulleungdo Travel Guide

Basic Information about Ulleungdo

• Location: Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, situated in the middle of the East Sea

• Area: Approximately 73 square kilometers

• Population: About 9,000 residents

• Features: Outstanding coastal scenery, dense forests, unique volcanic topography, and pristine waters

How to Get to Ulleungdo

Since Ulleungdo has no airport, you must use ferry services. The main departure ports are:

• Gangneung Port: Takes about 3 hours to Jeodong Port, a popular route with good accessibility from the Seoul metropolitan area

• Mukho Port (Donghae City): Takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes to Sadong Port

• Hupo Port (Uljin): Takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to Sadong Port, the shortest route

• Pohang Port: Takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to Dodong/Sadong Port, with good accessibility from southern regions

Ferry schedules vary depending on season, weather, and shipping company, so advance confirmation is essential. For those from Seoul/Gyeonggi area, departing from Gangneung Port is most convenient.

Things to Enjoy in Ulleungdo

Major Tourist Attractions & Activities

Ulleungdo has various tourist attractions:

• Haengnam Coastal Walking Path: A scenic walking path along coastal cliffs connecting Jeodong Port to Dodong Port

• Dokdo Sunrise Observatory: Accessible by cable car, offering views of Dokdo on clear days

• Taeha Hyangmok Tourist Monorail: Ride a steep monorail to enjoy Ulleungdo's spectacular views from Daepunggam Observatory

• Nari Basin: The only flat land on Ulleungdo with volcanic caldera topography, home to many restaurants serving wild vegetable bibimbap

• Gwaneumdo: An islet connected to Ulleungdo by a bridge, with coastal walking paths and scenic views

• Cheonbu Underwater Observatory: Descend 6 meters underwater to observe marine life

• Bongrae Waterfall, Hyeonpo Port, Hakpo Beach: Popular for natural scenery, sunsets, and driving courses

Additionally, Dokdo visit tours are available depending on weather conditions.

Recommended Accommodations in Ulleungdo

Ulleungdo offers various accommodations near ports like Jeodong, Dodong, Sadong, and major tourist sites:

• Cosmos Resort: Premium resort in nature with unique exterior and ocean views (recommended for couples, families)

• The Ham House: Ocean view, duplex style, suitable for small groups

• Ara Hotel: Near Jeodong Port, good value and accessibility

• JD Hostel: In front of Jeodong Port, clean with good downtown access

• Punggyeongchae Pension, Olle Pension: Ocean view, newly built, suitable for families/groups

• With You Guesthouse: Near Jeodong Port, various rooms, good value

Reservations should be made early as they fill up quickly during peak season.

Must-Try Foods in Ulleungdo

Ulleungdo is famous for fresh seafood and local specialties:

• Squid Sashimi: Ulleungdo's representative specialty, fresh squid served as sashimi with entrails dishes also being a delicacy

• Barnacle Noodle Soup/Porridge: Soup made with sea barnacles, with rich and deep flavor

• Mussel Rice/Mussel-Barnacle Rice: Bibimbap with natural mussels and barnacles, featuring a chewy texture

• Wild Vegetable Bibimbap: Healthy food made with wild vegetables from Nari Basin

• Yakso Grilled Beef: Ulleungdo's specialty beef, tender and mild

• Squid Entrails Soup: Soup made with fresh squid entrails, recommended for morning hangover relief

• Dokdo Shrimp Tempura: Tempura made with Dokdo shrimp caught near Ulleungdo

• Myeongyi Vegetable Gimbap: Gimbap made with Ulleungdo's specialty wild vegetables

• Squid Ink Bread: Bread made with squid ink, a special snack unique to Ulleungdo

Near the ports, there are many sashimi restaurants and eateries where you can taste fresh seafood.

Ulleungdo Restaurant List

Major restaurants in Ulleungdo include:

• Taeyang Restaurant: Barnacle noodle soup, barnacle porridge (Dodong)

• Park's Place: Barnacle noodle soup (Dodong)

• Dae Restaurant: Mussel rice, barnacle rice, turban shell rice (Dodong)

• Jeongae Restaurant: Squid entrails soup (Dodong)

• Narichon Restaurant: Wild vegetable bibimbap, potato pancake (Nari Basin)

• Hyangu-chon: Yakso grilled beef (Dodong)

• Sinbiseom Sashimi Restaurant: Cold raw fish soup, boiled octopus sashimi (Dodong)

• Hwangso Restaurant: Myeongyi vegetable gimbap, squid ramen (Dodong)

• Dodong House: Barnacle rice, soft tofu stew (Dodong)

• Dokdoya Saeuya: Dokdo shrimp tempura (Dodong)

• Obre: Squid ink bread (Dodong)

Most restaurants are located near ports such as Dodong and Jeodong, offering good accessibility.

Travel Tips

• Ferry services to Ulleungdo may be canceled due to weather conditions, so it's advisable to allow flexibility in your travel schedule

• Public transportation on the island is limited, so it's convenient to use a combination of rental cars, taxis, or walking

• Ulleungdo has limited development for nature conservation, allowing you to experience pristine nature and unique local culture

Connection to "Kian's Bizarre BnB"

Netflix's variety show "Kian's Bizarre BnB" was filmed in Ulleungdo during August-September 2024, featuring webtoon artist and entertainer Kian84, BTS's Jin, and Ji Ye-eun running a unique guesthouse on the sea. The show highlights Ulleungdo's beautiful scenery and introduces various locations around the island as the hosts take guests to local restaurants and leisure activities. The program, which began streaming on April 8, 2025, showcases the island's pollution-free environment and stunning landscapes to audiences worldwide.

Ulleungdo is a hidden gem of Korea, accessible only by boat. You can experience magnificent natural scenery, fresh seafood, unique local cuisine, various accommodations, and both Korean traditions and nature simultaneously. If you visit Ulleungdo, be sure to experience the attractions and foods mentioned above!