Buzz
Alongside bustling shopping centers, traditional markets still captivate tourists with local products and unique items. Below are 7 marketplaces travelers shouldn't miss when visiting South Korea.
Besides the bustling shopping centers, traditional markets still hold their allure for tourists due to local products and unique items. Below are 7 marketplaces travelers shouldn't overlook when in South Korea.
Namdaemun Market
This market, the oldest continuously operating one with a 600-year history alongside Seoul, stands as one of the most renowned traditional markets in South Korea. Offering clothing, fruits, vegetables, groceries, and miscellaneous goods, Namdaemun even has an imported goods section with items hard to find elsewhere. The alleys of Namdaemun are famous for their delicious kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and galchi jorim (braised hairtail fish), must-try dishes when visiting Namdaemun Market.
Gwangjang Market
Open for over a century, Gwangjang Market is the go-to place for purchasing food, hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), fabric, refurbished imported goods, as well as household items for newlywed couples and essentials for traditional weddings known by many in Seoul. The market is particularly famous for dishes like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap (drug gimbap), with eateries serving these delicacies always bustling with diners.
Tongin Market
This is a traditional market located in Seochon near Gyeongbokgung Palace. If you purchase yeobjeon (coins) at the 'Lunch Box Cafe,' you can use these coins to buy food at various stalls within the market. A famous snack available here is gireum tteokbokki (fried rice cakes).
Sinpo Market
Situated near the port of Incheon, Sinpo Market is the first regular market in Incheon. Visitors can find a variety of foods, clothing, and miscellaneous goods at affordable prices here. The market is renowned for dishes like dakgangjeong (sweet and sour chicken), mandu (dumplings), jjolmyeon (spicy cold noodles), and many others.
Busan Gukje Market
The market in Busan is renowned for its eateries and top-notch stores offering imported goods. Since ancient times, the market has been a hub for various imported goods passing through Busan Port, such as food and electronics. Many stalls within the market are woven together like a maze, offering a plethora of street food options like chungmu gimbap (chungmu-style gimbap), Busan eomuk (fish cakes), danpatjuk (sweet red bean porridge), and ssiat hotteok (Korean seed-filled pancakes).
Chuncheon Nangman Market
This is the oldest traditional market in Chuncheon, officially established in 1962. In response to the increasing presence of supermarkets and changing consumer habits, the vendors at Chuncheon Nangman sought to revive the traditional market.
Instead of rebuilding, they decided to preserve the 50-year-old market area with its original pathways. Some art installations were added along the pathways, while humorous paintings adorned the walls. Thanks to these efforts, Nangman experienced a fresh start in 2010.
Stepping into the market, you'll encounter shops selling socks, hats, scarves, hair clips... The left path leads tourists to meat stalls and stores serving sundae-guk (Korean sausage soup).
The central area of the market is used as a theater with various performances for tourists. You can even watch movies here on summer evenings. Additionally, the market has a waiting room for tourists to rest during their visit.
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
This is the largest traditional market on Jeju Island sought after by many locals and tourists. The market offers a wide range of agricultural and food products, including local specialties like hallabong (Jeju orange) and heukdwaeji (black pork), as well as household items. Unlike other traditional markets, there are convenient carts here for shopping.
Posted by: Hồng Trân Lê
Keywords: 7 must-visit traditional markets in South Korea
