Gwangjang Market: What to Eat (and How to Order)
Gwangjang Market opened in 1905 and is still Seoul’s best place to try classic Korean market food in one go. Sit at a stall counter, point, eat.
The must-eats
- Bindaetteok — a crispy pancake of ground mung beans. The market’s signature.
- Mayak gimbap — small rice rolls with a mustard dipping sauce. Very easy to overeat.
- Yukhoe — Korean beef tartare with pear and egg yolk. For the adventurous.
- Kalguksu — hand-cut noodle soup. A kalguksu stall here was featured on Netflix’s Street Food: Asia.
- Tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes in a sweet-spicy sauce.
How to order
- Sit at any open counter seat. Pointing works fine.
- Most stalls show photos or plastic samples.
- Bring some cash — small stalls are faster with it.
- Go around lunchtime on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.
Getting there
Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1). From here, walk to Dongdaemun Design Plaza — see Seoul Day 2.
More Korea travel guides
- 3 Days in Seoul Itinerary: The Easy First-Timer Plan
- Seoul Day 1: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon & Ihwa Mural Village
- Seoul Day 2: Gwangjang Market, DDP, Cheonggyecheon & Myeongdong
- Seoul Day 3: Seokchon Lake, Starfield Library & the Han River
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Free Entry in Hanbok & Tips
- Han River Parks in Seoul: Ramyeon, Bikes & the Rainbow Fountain
- Busan 2-Day Itinerary: Beaches, Temple & Seafood
- Gyeongju 1-Day Itinerary: Bulguksa, Royal Tombs & Wolji Pond
- Seoul First-Time Tips: T-money, Subway & Apps
Photo credits — Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Rystheguy / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
