Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

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광장 (gwang-jang) means “to gather from afar and keep altogether”.
시장 (si-jang) means traditional market.

Fun Facts

Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Seoul. It was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to stand the test of time, witnessing the city’s evolution over more than a century.
The market comes alive at night. Nighttime is a great way to experience the market in a different light and sample more delicious street food.
Gwangjang is estimated to have hundreds of vendors operating within its sprawling complex with tens of thousands of people visiting each day. While the vendors welcome everyone, and they do so loudly as they usher you to take a seat, most speak very little English. They do however speak a bit more Mandarin and Japanese so if you’ve got those under your belt, have some fun!

Gwangjang Market is Seoul’s historic epicenter of tradition and taste. It was established in 1905, and has stood as a testament to Korean culture, attracting locals and tourists with its diverse array of goods and rich culinary offerings. Along with the renowned kalguksu served by the “Netflix Lady,” Gwangjang Market boasts an abundance of culinary delights waiting to be savored. From crispy bindaetteok to spicy tteokbokki and savory bibimbap, the market’s food stalls offer a feast for the senses and serve as a window into Korean culture and tradition. The market is full of bustling corridors offering a chance to sample street food favorites or find unique souvenirs. Be sure to explore the textile alley, where vendors showcase an array of fabrics and hanbok, and engage with local artisans crafting traditional goods.

Travel Tips

Weekends and holidays are extra busy and the market can become overly crowded.
While some vendors may accept card payments, carry cash (Korean Won), especially for smaller purchases and street food stalls. There are ATMs available nearby.
Be mindful of vendors and fellow visitors. Respect queues, dispose of trash properly, and ask for permission before taking photographs, especially of food or people.

Address

English: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hangeul: 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88

While we were here, I bought a hand-made hanbok as a one-year-old baby gift for my friend. The hanbok is designed to resemble the queen’s dress, and my friend was thrilled with the gift–she can’t wait to take photos of the baby wearing it (shout-out to Tator-Tot!). There are tons of tasty street foods here, making it a perfect stop for a snack after visiting the nearby Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The market is entirely covered, which also makes it a good spot to spend a rainy day, though it can get very crowded during rainy weather and during the lunch rush. On one of our visits, mom got separated from Dad and me, and it took a few minutes for her to navigate through the moving crowd and find us again.

On our first visit to Gwangjang we had the best taxi driver! He dropped us off at the entrance that led directly to the Netflix lady’s Kalguksu restaurant and she had no line!! We sat down quickly and had the most delicious hot vegetable broth soup with Korean knife-cut homemade noodles. We ordered the version that included mandu (dumplings) and added lots of kimchi. I honestly do not know if we would have ever found her on our first visit. The market is huge, extremely crowded, and very confusing with not much in terms of English translation. On our second visit, it was close to lunchtime on a week day and the market was too overly crowded to enjoy. The lines at most of the vendors were too long so we picked up a few souvenirs at the shops in the alleys, before catching a taxi to other great places to see in Seoul. Gwangjang is special and worth a visit if you can get there at a good time. Otherwise, there are several other traditional markets to try that are not as crowded.