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Munch and Chew, Taste and Enjoy Korean Traditional Markets

Throughout Seoul, there are marketplaces that have gathered people since the Joseon period or older days. Some have a history of longer than 100 years and others appeared and disappeared soon. “Traditional” markets are not necessarily keeping their old appearances intact. As time goes by, they present visitors with fun in different ways and forms, by colorful things to eat and interesting things to enjoy. Let’s visit those traditional markets in Seoul. You may discover the charm hidden deepest inside Seoul.

# Gwangjang Market

In the late Joseon period, there were three representative markets in Hanyang (old name of Seoul). Jongnu Market which was located in the middle of Jongno, Chilpae Market (today’s Namdaemun Market) which was located outside Seosomun, and Baeogae Market which was located inside of Dongdaemun Gate. Today’s Gwangjang Market is keeping the tradition of Baeogae Market.

There are various goods and foods, including hanbok, fabric, bedding and agro-fishery products, for sale at Gwangjang Market. There are also specialty stores that sell vintage clothes. Overall, the market has been dealt in various lines of commodities. The restaurants that have served diverse dishes for the population coming and going between Jongno and Dongdaemun are still greeting patrons. Major dishes on their menus are the meals that can be found only in traditional markets. Visitors find these restaurants so much attractive that they cannot miss visiting them.

When you enter the alley, you can see the restaurants standing side by side, baking mung bean pancakes and meatballs. Stimulated by the aromatic smell, people become desperate for a drink and enjoy the pancakes and makgeolli (rice wine) until late at night. The restaurants that serve the beef tartare and live octopus are also popular. At the stalls at the center of the market, you can mainly taste snacks like the addictive gimbap and fruit juice. Also, the dumpling restaurant that was recently introduced in Street Food on Netflix is now a big hit. You’d better stop by if you’re interested.

# Tongin Market

Here, you can have meals by paying with “yeopjeon” (token), the old coins that were in use a long time ago in Korea. It is Tongin Market, located in Seochon, on the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The yeopjeon coins that can be used only in Tongin Market were introduced in January 2012, and ever since the program called “Box Lunch Cafe” has been in operation. It is a clever program that can be enjoyed by everyone from every Tuesday to Sunday during lunchtime.

Starting at 11 AM, they sell yeopjeon coins at the entrance of Tongin Market. Buy the coins and enter the market. Now it’s time to fill your lunch box with foods. Different kinds of foods that show the personalities of cooks will be waiting for your choice: stir-fried pork, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables), tteokgalbi (grilled rib patties), and many more. You have only 10 coins (KRW 500 a piece, KRW 5,000 per person, and additional purchase available) so be patient when you choose. Whatever you choose, you will get a generous amount so you don’t have to worry about it. After you finished selecting foods you want, go to “Dosirak Cafe Tong” to enjoy the meal. What happiness you got with KRW 5,000.

# Pobangteo Market

In Hongeun-dong, there was the shooting range of Joseon infantry units during the Japanese colonial era. From this, “Pobangteo,” the name of the market, originated. Pobanteo Market is a small market located in one of the streets in Hongeun-dong. It was once a local market visited only by local residents, rather than by strangers. However, after the market was broadcast in Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant, the entertainment show on SBS, it has turned into a nation-famous market that gathers visitors from throughout the country.

Now, Pobangteo Market is considered a must-visit among gourmets. Mother and Son, also known as Hongtakjip, are among destinations of gastronomes. At Mother and Son, you can also enjoy the makgeolli (rice wine), which made headline at the time the show was aired.

Normally, you have to wait in a long line before you come in one of the restaurants, so you’d better visit when you have a lot of time. Some of those who visit the market from a long distance put up for the night and spend two days to taste dishes through the good restaurants at Pobangteo Market. If you are a hunter for foods that make your mouth watering, you can’t miss Pobangteo Market.

# Mangwon Market

Mangwon Market has long been loved by local residents. Here, you can meet kind and generous merchants everywhere and buy fruits and vegetables at relatively low prices. Another strength of Mangwon Market is that it has clean facilities after its recent modernization project, during which the arcade roof and food display refrigerators were installed.

As “Mangnidan-gil,” the hot place in Mangwon-dong becomes famous, Mangwon Market is also becoming more popular. The restaurants, bakeries, and cafes that were once frequented only by local residents have become a must-visit for everyone who visits Mangwon-dong. On the street, you can find snacks made with artisan’s spirit as well as other street foods that are created with brilliant ideas. If you find it inconvenient to bring foods you bought in Mangwon Market to your home, visit the cafe that is operated by the Mangwon Market Merchant Association. At Cafe M, you are allowed to eat the takeout foods you brought from the market.

# Sinwon Market

Sinwon Market, located along Dorimcheon Stream that flows through Sillim-dong, is a traditional market that has long been loved by the local residents. The blood sausage town is right beside the market, crowded with visitors who seek to taste a variety of dishes using blood sausage but there are also many great restaurants in the market that will satisfy foodies. The strength of Sinwon Market is that it has many “fine-casual” restaurants with neat space.

Successfully in operation are a restaurant specialized in sliced raw fish where you can buy the sliced raw fish at a relatively low price and a restaurant where they fry chicken in a traditional way. At a restaurant where they sell a set amount of beef tartare a day to provide customers with as fresh beef tartare as possible, unique menus like beef tartare ramyeon and cold buckwheat noodles with beef tartare attract pedestrians. Another restaurant that is operated by a Chinese owner sells Chinese-style twisted breadsticks and crepes made with sweet dough.