Exploring the Best Markets in Seoul: What to Eat, Shop, & Know
There are plenty of ways to experience Seoul, but for me, few are as fun or as delicious as wandering through the bustling markets. The smell of fermented vegetables, colorful stalls, and delicious food everywhere!
I first wrote about Seoul’s food markets years ago, but I’ve since been back numerous times and have tried a lot more Korean dishes since my first few visits.
From the famous food stalls at Gwangjang Market to the touristy but fun Myeongdong Night Market, Seoul’s markets each have their own personality and identity.
In this guide to Seoul’s food and street markets, I’ll take you through some of my favorite markets in Seoul, what they are known for, and share tips for making the most of your visit.
If you are visiting Seoul and want to experience the city beyond its palaces and cultural sites, putting a market or two on your itinerary is a great place to start.
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| Seoul Market | Best For | What to Eat/See | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwangjang Market | Korean Street Food | Mayak Kimbap, Kimchi Mandu, Kalguksu | Jongno |
| Myeongdong Market | Street Food + Shopping | Tteokbokki, Fried Chicken, Kimchi wrapped bacon | Myeongdong |
| Namdaemun Market | Shopping + Food | Korean Macarons, Drinks, Souvenirs | Jung-gu |
| Hongdae Market | Street Food + Entertainent | Egg Bread, Seafood, Shopping | Hongdae |
Seoul is a safe city and very welcoming to tourists. Even the markets that seem chaotic are very much used to foreigners and the locals are accommodating and understanding.
Like any place though, even at home, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
Regardless, the markets can seem overwhelming, so I came up with a few tips that I found useful when navigating and ordering food at the street markets in Seoul.
Cash is King!
Credit Card is the preferred method of paying throughout South Korea, but at markets, physical money is KING! Remember, the South Korea Won is the official currency of South Korea.
Explore First
When I visit markets in Korea, I always like to do an initial walkthrough. I see what vendors are available, what food I am in the mood for, and other potential dishes I haven’t even thought of that look delicious to try.
Don’t Expect Vendors to Speak English
Korean is the official language of South Korea so don’t expect many of the vendors to speak and understand English.
Just be respectful, speak slowly, and if all else fails, point to what you want. The local vendors will be more then happy to assist you.
Trash Cans are Not Widely Available
It is easier to find trash cans in Korea then say, Japan, but they are still more difficult to come by. Although my last visit to Seoul, I noticed more trash cans and recycle bins around the city.
In case you are at the markets and can’t find trash cans, just do what I do and pack trash with you or hold on to it until you find a trash can.
During my last visit to Seoul, I noticed a lot of the food vendors at Myeongdong Market had small signs on their carts that they will accept trash. But this depends on the market.
Sometimes You Have to be Aggressive
I noticed the Korean culture is not standoff-ish like in other countries such as Japan. The people there are not bothered by crowds.
This doesn’t only imply markets but I noticed around train stations and busy areas. But I was constantly being shoved or cut in line.
So you have to be a little dominant in Korea. Don’t be afraid to be a little aggressive when standing in lines, otherwise people might jump in front of you and order.
Try Anything and Everything
I love Korean food. There is so much flavor and spice cooked into their dishes. I’ve loved almost all dishes I’ve had at Korean markets.
My tip here, is try anything and everything. Most of us are familiar with kimchi or fried chicken, but branch out and try things that look new to you. You might just find your new favorite Korean dish.
Recommended Markets to Visit in Seoul
I am by no means an expert when it comes to the markets in Seoul, I’ll leave that to the locals. But I did visit many of Seoul’s markets and thoroughly enjoyed each one I visited.
Food wise, everything I ordered was fantastic, the atmosphere of the markets is exciting, and I left a happy customer every time.
I am sure there are many more markets that are worthwhile in Seoul that I never had a chance to visit. Feel free to drop recommendations in the comments, so I can eat my way through them during my next visit.
Below are some of the best food and street markets in Seoul that I visited and highly recommend.
Gwangjang Market
Considered to be the oldest market in South Korea, Gwangjang Market is a must when exploring the best street markets in Seoul. Gwangjang opened n 1905 and is still thriving today.
Gwangjang Market is not just a food market. A large portion of this market does sell other goods like clothing, linens, knock off brand products, and everything in between.
But I came here for the food! There are open spaces here with alley ways branching off in what seemed like every direction. So how do you choose what to eat and which vendor to try?
I recently joined a Seoul Street Food Market Tour that gave me the opportunity to sample 14 different dishes and drinks at Gwangjang Market. From Kalguksu and Gogi Mandu to drinking Soju and Makgeolli.
It’s not all just street food here at Gwangjang Market. There are several food stalls here with tables and chairs, where you can get fresh dishes like Gimbap and Bibimbap.
Looking for a Deep Food Market Experience?
I joined a food tour that sampled 14 dishes around Gwangjang Market and wrote a post about the experiences.
Hongdae Night Market
Hongdae is a great area to stay in while visiting Seoul. Hongdae definitely caters to a younger crowd which means you can generally find street food and late night eats. So there is no real night market here in Hongdae, but on weekends there are a lot of food vendors that set up around Hongdae. You can find single carts all over the area selling everything from blood sausage to Egg Bread, which is my favorite.
Korean Egg Bread is found in almost every market. It’s a simple yet satisfyingly tasty treat! It’s real name is Gyeran-ppang and it’s a popular menu item in street and food markets throughout Seoul. The bread is usually sweet and the cooked egg adds a nice savory flavor to the bread. You can find the egg toast at every market, but the first time I had it was from a food vendor in the Hongdae and I’ve been hooked ever since!
Myeongdong Night Market
Myeongdong Night Market was my favorite street and food market while visiting Seoul. In Fact, I went here two consecutive nights in a row, just because there was so much I wanted to try!
For starters, there is a lot going on in this area. It is one of the main hopping areas and has everything imaginable. There are a ton of HBAF almond stores here. HBAF is a rand that makes delicious flavored almonds, these make for perfect gifts. There are also massage parlors around Myeongdong. Getting a foot massage at the end of a tiring day is magical!
Myeongdong night market is just one of those markets you need to visit in Seoul. The streets and alley ways are several blocks long full of vendors on each side. Food wise, you can find so many delicious items here. Of course, egg toast is everywhere, I also found kimchi wrapped in bacon, and Döner Kebab, not quite as good as in Germany but still very good! Don’t leave without trying some Korean Fried Chicken and Tteokbokki.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market was one of the more traditional markets in Seoul that didn’t fully consist of just food. Namdaemun Market was full of cheap shops with vendors selling anything and everything made in China. I can’t complain, I bought a hat for $5. You’d be surprised by what you can find at Namdaemun Market. I mean I saw places selling local alcohol, souvenirs, hand bags, plants, the list goes on and on. If anything, it’s worth just walking the area to see what all the vendors are selling.
For those that love trying local food like me, Namdaemun Market does have food vendors. It might not be as large or exciting as Myeongdong Night Market, but surely there is something here for everyone. I enjoy the fish cake snacks on a stick that are sold everywhere, you can even get them with a spicey sauce. Other food items I saw here were fried pancakes, desserts like ice cream, and fresh fruit.
Are Seoul's Markets Worth Visiting?
After returning to Seoul and revisiting some of these markets, I can honestly say that they remain some of my favorite places. You don’t have to visit every market on the list, pick one or two that fit your itinerary.
Gwangjang Market is an obvious choice for fresh local food, Namdaemun is great for combining shopping and eating, and Myeongdong is great for eating a lot and people watching.
After returning to Seoul and revisiting some of these markets, I’ve found that the best part is not necessarily checking another attraction off a list but wandering around, seeing what looks good, and trying something new.
Please, if you have any other markets that are a must when visiting Seoul, leave a comment so I can add it to my next Seoul itinerary. Safe Travels!
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