Let me introduce 5 the most famous Traditional Markets in Seoul
Nowadays, the trend of travel has changed a lot. Tourists are looking around an area to experiencing and to even living in it. People pay more attention to the local culture and a traditional market is the perfect place to fill their needs.
You can learn everything about that area such as the people, nature, and the history in it. Let’s find out 5 the most famous traditional markets in Seoul, Korea. Every traditional market is full of things to enjoy, but and eat.
Traditional Markets in Korea: Seoul Area
- Tongin Market
- Namdaemun Market
- Yakryeong Medicine Market
- Gwangjang Market
- Mangwon Market
1. Tongin Market: Interesting Buffet
Tongin market located west side of the landmark of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was basically local market for Seochon Residents and recently get fame for popular dating place and tourist attraction as well.
Tho most popular in this market is “Dosirak cafe”, which means lunch box. Visitors can choose their own favorite menu from each market to pay by “yepjeon(Traditional Coin)”. You can exchange 1 yeopjeon coin for KRW 500, and use it only here that indicate their member of Dosirak Cafe. Don’t worry about that system. You don’t have to exchange the money. You can also buy things with cash or card.
Lunch box packed with 3 Korean Foods
1. Stir-fried Rice Cake
(Oil Tteokbokki)
Unique style of tteokbokki. Chewy and Spicy rice cake dish with red chili pepper and oil. Crispy on the surface and soft on the inside. This is the representative food in Tongin Maket.
2. Rib Barbeque
(Tteokgalbi)
It is made of minced meat with rib bone. It has various shape all around in Korea. It is seasoned with soy sauce and tatse sweet. It also one of the most popular foods in Korea.
3. Noodles with Vegetables
(Japchae)
Noodles with spinach, carrots, meat, onions, mushrooms and other ingredients then seasoned with sweet and salty sauce. It is one of the most popular side dishes in Tongin Market.
Nearby Tourist Sites
2. Namdaemun Market: 600 years History
Namdaemun Market is located next to the main gate to seoul, Namdaemun. It is now one of the largest markets in Korea. Namdaemun market offer almost all kinds of things, such as commodities, snacks, fresh produce and fruits.
The attraction of “there’s everything else except nothing!” here is as overwhelming as the number and amount of goods that fill the market.
Namdaemun Market, located between Myeong-dong and Seoul Station in Seoul and around Namchang-dong in Jung-gu, is a general market that represents Seoul along with Dongdaemun Market.
Signature Menu Of Namdaemun Market
1. Braised Cutlassfish
(Galchijorim)
It is a delicious side dish among Korean. Cut the cutlassfish into large chunks then braised with vegetables in a spicy sauce. Galchijorim Alley in this market is always full of people during lunch time.
2. Noodle Soup
(Kalguksu)
There is a Kalguksu Alley in Namdaemun Marekt. It is a thick noodles boiled in a rich seafoo broth. The rice and buckwheat noodle are free when you order the Kalguksu!
3. Noodle Pancakes
(Japchae Hotteok)
Hotteok is a flour dough filled with brown sugar or honey. Unlike traditional hotteok, here in this market is filled with Japchae(stir-fried noodles with vegetables). This japchae hotteok is the most famous street food in Namdaemun Market.
Nearby Tourist Sites
3. Yakryeong Market: Seoul Medicine Market
Yakryong Market is one of the best places for people who looking for Korean traditional medicine. It has almost 70% of herbs and ingredients in Korea. Not only clinics that experience of Korean traditional medicine, you can also find traditional cafe that offer authentic herb tea and traditional tea as well.
It was formed naturally in the late 1960s when medicinal herbs and herbal medicine vendors from across the country gathered near Cheongnyangni Station.
Nearby Tourist Sites
4. Gwangjang Marekt: First Permanent Market
Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist spot today. Next to Dongdaemun Market, there is an paradise near Cheonggyecheon Stream.
The Gwangjang Market is packed with foreign tourists, local office workers and young people flocking to the market during weekdays.
After fill your stomach, you can go up 2nd and 3rd floor of the market to explore vintage cloth. If you are lucky, you will find some good deal.
A lot of tourist site is located nearby including Jongmyo shrine, Changdeokgung Palace, Dongdaemun Market and Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Signature food in Gwangjang Market
1. Mung beans pancake
(Nokdubindaetteok)
It is a type of Korean pancake, jeon made with mung beans, pork, kimchi and bean sprout.
If you can drink, why don’t you order Korean traditional alcohol, Makgeolli as well? It is the best combination with pancake.
2. Vegetable Bibimbap
You will see a lot of bibimbap stall in this market. You can order a bibimbap and they make you a colorful bibimbap for you. It is also free to add more vegetables and rice if you want.
3. Beef Tartar
(Yukhoe)
It is korean beef Tartar served with pear and sesame oil. It is tender and full of energy. You can also try Yukhoe bibimbap or Yukhoe with raw octopus. It is one of the challenge food in Korea.
Nearby Tourist Sites
5. Mangwon Market: Young Market
Mangwon Market in a unique traditional market where you can feel the Youth of Korea. It was a just normal traditional market by local residents, but lots of young generations moved around here and added vitality to this traditional market.
Beacuse there are a lot of young people here, most stores in this market accept credit cards. Located near Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, it has great accessibility
Recommended foods to Enjoy
1. Grazed Fried Chicken
(Dakgangjeong)
Dakgangjeong is bite size tried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce on it. It has garlic, red chili pepper and malt syrup taste. You can pick the sauce flavor and the size as well.
2. Noodle Soup
(Kalguksu)
It is hand-made noodle soup with boiled rich broth. Beacuse it is home-made noodle, it has a unique texture thanks to uneven thickness.
3. Croquettes
(Koroke)
It is a deep-fried balls made with ground meat, vegetables, mashed potato and other ingredients. You can choose one of the variety flavors Croquettes. Koroke is one of the most popular street foods in Mangwon Market.