Gwangjang Market What to eat?? Hello, foreign tourists, and welcome to Korea. Many foreigners visit Gwangjang Market when they travel to Korea, so I wrote this article to introduce you to Gwangjang Market. I hope it will be useful for your trip.
What is Gwangjang Market in Seoul?
Seoul Gwangjang Market is a place where Korean history and culture coexist. Founded in 1905, it was the first permanent market in Korea and is located in the heart of the city center, making it easy for travelers to visit. Gwangjang Market sells a wide variety of clothing and food, and is especially famous for its food.
Gwangjang Market is one of the three major markets in Seoul, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, and is a great place to eat and see. You can enjoy a variety of sports and culture here, including Gwangjang Corporation, Yukhoe, Eokja Alley, Café, and Blue, and there are many Jongno neighborhoods nearby.
Gwangjang Market is also famous for its food, especially bindaetteok and kimbap, which are popular dishes, and there are a number of restaurants doing business here. As a traditional market, Gwangjang Market is also home to a number of famous and popular restaurants.
Seoul Gwangjang Market has become a must-see attraction for foreign visitors to Seoul due to its history and variety of food and attractions. Visitors can experience the coexistence of Korean tradition and modernity. Gwangjang Market is a must-see experience for any traveler visiting Seoul.
Tips for enjoying Gwangjang Market
Seoul’s Gwangjang Market offers a wide variety of food and goods, and it’s a lot of fun for visitors. However, it’s a good idea to keep a few tips in mind to make the most of your time here.
How to enjoy Kwangjang Market
1. Explore the food options: Kwangjang Market is known for its wide variety of food. You can try glutinous rice sundae, bindaetteok, yukhoe, and more.
2. Browse the market: Gwangjang Market sells a wide variety of goods, including hanbok, textiles, clothing, bedding, handicrafts and embroidery, curtains, and used bag goods. It’s fun to wander around the market and browse the various products.
3. Participate in market events: Various events are held at Gwangjang Market. You can enjoy a variety of events, such as flea markets, street performances, and food trucks.
4. Gwangjang Market hours: 09:00 ~ 22:00
Tips for avoiding scams
1. Check the menu and prices: When ordering food at Kwangjang Market, it’s important to check the menu and prices in advance. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want and check the prices.
2. Check the weighing system: Seoul has introduced a weighing system at Kwangjang Market, which allows consumers to check the weight and quantity of their food. This prevents you from undercutting the contents or selling an overly skimpy composition.
3. Utilizing mystery shoppers: Seoul uses mystery shoppers to continuously verify that prices and quantities at Kwangjang Market are being followed. This allows the Seoul Metropolitan Government to take strong sanctions such as suspension of business if the vendors are overcharging, pushy, or unfriendly.
We hope you enjoy your time at the market by utilizing these tips. Be a smart consumer and have a great food adventure!
THE BEST 5 Gwangjang Market Food
There are certain foods that you must try when you come to Gwangjang Market in Seoul, and we will introduce you to the best places to eat them.
1. Tteokbokki – Ganggane Tteokbokki
First, you should try Tteokbokki, one of the most popular foods in Korea. Gangane Tteokbokki is made with radish, and it is sweet and spicy, so it is very delicious. When I say spicy, it’s about 2 out of 10 on the spiciness scale, so you can eat it safely. Also, when you order tteokbokki, order fries. The fries are very delicious when dipped in the tteokbokki soup.
If you are full and don’t feel like eating tteokbokki and fries, you can have one sotteok sotteok each. Sotteoksotteok is a food made of sausage and rice cakes, one after the other, covered with seasoned sauce.
- Name: Ganggane Tteokbokki
- Location: 10-second walk from Exit 9 of Jongno 5-ga Station, at the beginning of Gwangjang Market
- Hours: Closed on Mondays / Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 – 17:30
- Menu: Tteokbokki 5000 won, Tempura 5000 won, Sotteok Sotteok 3500 won
- Recommended menu : You should try other things, so please order 1 tteokbokki and 1 fry for 3 people to share.
2. Bindaetteok – Soonhee’s Bindaetteok
You can also try bindaetteok, which is a main dish of Gwangjang Market. All the restaurants are delicious, so you can go to any restaurant you like. However, if I had to choose one, I would recommend Soonhee’s Bindaetteok. It’s the most popular restaurant among Koreans, and there are many seats inside, so you won’t have to wait long to get your food.
The best menu to try is the Modum. The Modum is a set that includes two bindaetteok and one meat dumpling. If you have 2 or 3 people, you can try makgeolli with one Modum. Makgeolli is a Korean alcoholic beverage. It is white in color, like milk, and has a sweet, savory, tangy, and refreshing taste. If you order makgeolli and you don’t like it, try mixing it with a drink called cider. It’s very delicious!
- Name: Soonhee’s Bindaetteok
- Location: 5, Jongno 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Closed on Tuesdays / Monday through Sunday 10:00 – 21:00
- Menu: Modum 13000 won, mung bean bindaetteok 5000 won, meat dumplings 3500 won, makgeolli 4000 won
- Recommended menu : We recommend ordering 1 assortment and 1 makgeolli for 3 people to share because you have to try other things. If you don’t have enough, we recommend adding 1 shrimp bindaetteok.
3. Sashimi – Jeollado Restaurant
In Korea, we eat a lot of fish raw, and foreigners can think of it as similar to sushi in Japan. Have you ever eaten fish raw in other countries? The texture is chewy and the flavor is savory, and it tastes even better when dipped in vinegar or soy sauce.
If you’re traveling with friends, order a plate of sashimi to share with them, and it goes well with soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage.
- Name: Jeollado Sashimi Restaurant
- Location: Gwangjang Market, 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Monday – Sunday 12:00 – 22:00, closed last Sunday of the month
- Menu: Assorted Sashimi for 1 person 10,000 won, Assorted Sashimi for 2 people 20,000 won, Assorted Sashimi for 3 people 30,000 won, Assorted Sashimi for 4 people 40,000 won
- Recommended menu : Order less than the number of people because you need to try other things. If the boss asks you to order according to the number of people, don’t eat it and tell him that you are full and we will try a little.
4. Yukhoe – Bukchon Yukhoe
In Korea, fish is often eaten raw, but beef is also eaten raw. A typical dish is called yukhoe. It’s raw beef tossed in spices and served with radishes. It’s very savory and chewy, so it’s delicious. It’s a dish that is highly recommended for foreign tourists. However, as beef is expensive in Korea, yukhoe is an expensive dish, so please be mindful of your travel budget.
Yukhoe goes better with soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage, than beer, so it is recommended that you try it together. Also, since it is an expensive dish, it is recommended to eat other food and stop by before going to your hostel or as a last stop and drink soju with a plate of yukhoe before going home.
- Name: Bukchon Yukhoe
- Location: 200-12, Jongno-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 21:00
- Menu: Yukhoe 21,000 won, Yukhoe Bibimbap 10,000 won
- Recommendation : One yukhoe is perfect for 2-3 people to share as a snack with drinks. If you need a full meal, try the Yukhoe Bibimbap. Yukhoe bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish of bibimbap with yukhoe and is very delicious.
5. Bungeo-ppang
Last but not least, be sure to try Bungeo-ppang, one of the most popular Korean street foods. Bungeo-ppang is a sweet and delicious bread with red bean paste inside the flour dough. It’s perfect for dessert, so it’s best eaten after a meal. If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll want to enjoy a warm bungeo-ppang.
There is no specific restaurant to recommend, but Bungeo-ppang is constantly sold at street stalls, so if you see one along the way, buy it. Please note that most of them only accept cash.
Final : Traveling to Seoul’s Gwangjang Market
I would like to give a lot of information to people who are traveling to Korea. I hope you enjoy your trip and eat delicious food at Gwangjang Market. Also, Kwangjang Market is famous for being overcharged, but the Korean government has taken many measures to prevent this.
For more travel tips, please take a look at our blog.
FAQ. Gwangjang Market
Q. What is Gwangjang Market famous for?
A. Gwangjang Market, previously known as Dongdaemun Market, is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea. It is renowned for its quality silk goods, linen bedding, and handmade goods. The market is also famous for its wide range of food stalls offering a taste of traditional Korean cuisine. Some of the popular dishes include “addictive gimbap,” nokdujeon (mung bean pancake), tteok-bokki (stir-fried rice cake), and eomuk (fish cake).
Q. Is Gwangjang Market worth visiting?
A. Yes, Gwangjang Market is worth visiting. It is one of the most vibrant traditional markets in Seoul. The market offers a unique experience with its food stalls and clothing shops. It’s a must-visit for fans of traditional Korean cuisine and for fashion lovers looking for custom-made outfits. The market’s food stalls are reasonably priced and offer a wide range of Korean delicacies.
Q. How to go to Gwangjang Market via subway?
A. You can reach Gwangjang Market by taking the subway to Jongno 5-ga Station and exiting from Exit 7 or Exit 8. Alternatively, you can go to Euljiro 4-ga Station (Lines 2 and 5) and exit from there.
Q. Is Gwangjang Market same as Dongdaemun market?
A. Gwangjang Market was previously known as Dongdaemun Market. However, they are not the same. Gwangjang Market is a traditional street market located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. It was established in the early 20th century and has since grown to become one of the largest traditional markets in South Korea. On the other hand, Dongdaemun Market is a large commercial district comprised of traditional markets and shopping centers.
