15 Traditional Markets in Seoul: Well-Known & Hidden Gems – Seoulistic

Only the most famous and well-known markets are suggested to travelers. And for good reason. They’re huge and have lots to see. But if you want to get a glimpse into the life of how local Koreans live, check out the 13 traditional markets in Seoul that only Seoul locals know about in the next pages. But just in case you didn’t know, here are all the markets that the guidebooks and Korea travel sites recommend. These markets are themselves tourist attractions. Their products range from clothes, food, fabrics, electronics, beef and everything in between. At some of these markets, you can literally spend an entire day shopping, bargaining, eating and people watching. Come here and get lost.

 

1. Namdaemun Market

This is one of the oldest markets in Seoul, and anyone coming to Seoul should know this one. Namdaemun Market is a place where you can buy Korean style metal utensils and bowls, art supplies, Korean style pillows, Gangnam Style socks, anti-cancer ginseng, eyeglass frames, camera parts and everything in between. It’s that huge. It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs and also to have fun getting lost. The most famous things to eat here are mackrel broiled in red pepper sauce (고등어조림) and knife cut noodles (칼국수). Also, there are grannies in the middle of the market who are rumored to give the best exchange rates (but they’re also famous for being mega mean!).

How to get there: Hoehyeon Station (Line 4, Exit 5). Market will be to your right.
Pics via Korean bloggers: Blogger 1 & Blogger 2

 

2. Gwangjang Market

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This 100+ year old market is a fabric and textile market. And although you can buy your own custom made hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) here, most tourists come here to eat the really good food at the stalls in the middle of the market. It’s a very genuine market eating experience complete with gritty ajummas (Korean ladies). One of the two famous dishes in this market is mungbean pancakes (빈대떡), which is pretty bomb with a bottle of soju or makkeolli on a cold winter night (also good if you’re by yourself acting out a dramatic scene from a Korean drama). If you’re just into snacking, try mayak gimbap (마약김밥) aka “drug” gimbap. It got the nickname because they’re THAT addicting. Just don’t try to smoke them, ok? ;).

How to get there: Jongno-5-Ga Station (Line 1, Exit 8). Market will be to your left.
Pics via Korean bloggers: Blogger 1 & Blogger 2

 

3. Noryangjin Fish Market

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Weird sea creatures always make people ooh and ahh. But here, you can say ooh and ahh and then stick it in your mouth 10 minutes later (sometimes still moving!). Pick a fish, octopus, sea cucumber, scallop, crab, whatever your fancy, and have the vendor slice it up for you. Bring it to one of the restaurants next door and start eating it raw or have the restaurant cook it. (See the whole process with Seoulistic’s video!). The market’s also really cool because it’s open super late too. So you’ll see salarymen coming in at afterwork hours, and once past midnight Seoul night owls will start to pour in. Yay for seafood eating vampires!

How to get there: Noryangjin Station (Line 1 – Exit 1, Line 9 – Exit 2). Walk along the overpass to the market.
Pics via Korean bloggers: Blogger 1 & Blogger 2

 

4. Garak Market

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Garak Market is the main wholesale market of Seoul, and it is crazy huge. More than 100 thousand people go to this market everyday, so you might get lost in the crowd. If you’re going with babies, make sure you put on one of those really useful, but kind of strange-to-see baby leashes. It’s a lot of fun to see the auctions, but to avoid the biggest crowds, don’t go at night. Around after 9PM, people start pouring in to do their shopping for the gajillion restaurants in and around Seoul. If you’re visting at that time, make sure you have your own baby leash. Also, if you’re buying produce, bring friends to get the cheapest discounts.

How to get there: Garak Market Station (Line 3, 8, Exit 8). Cross the street, it’s on the other side.
Pics via Korean bloggers: Blogger 1 & Blogger 2

 

5. Dongdaemun Market

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This might be the sole reason some of you come to Korea: To shop, shop, shop for Korean fashion! And that’s a really good reason. Korean fashion here is cheap, unique, up to date and also open mega late (closes at approximately 7AM). So it doesn’t matter if your schedule is packed, just go to the clothes market late at night and start your shopping spree. Also, come here for the really good street food and the Korean drama style tent bars (pojangmacha / 포장마차). But no really… come here for the shopping :).

How to get there: Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (Line 2, 4, 5, Exit 14) or Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, 4, Exit 7 or 8).
Bloggers: Urbanite-diary & Korea.net

 

6. Yongsan Electronics Market

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This market might not be considered a traditional market but we just had to add it to this list because it’s just so darn fun. Yongsan Electronics market is where anyone can go to buy cheap computers, camera parts, tvs, appliances, game consoles, and other things that can be plugged into a wall (new or used). The vendors are kinda annoying but also kinda fun to watch as they try really hard to get your attention. And although there are several buildings to shop for electronics, here’s a tip. I’Park Mall, which is connected directly to Yongsan Station (용산역), is convenient and all, but it’s mostly aimed at tourists. If you’re looking for the best deals in the lot, head over to some of the other buildings that aren’t connected to the station.

How to get there: Yongsan Station (Line 1, Exit 3).
Blogs: 1mfilms & Koreabridge

 

7. Majang Meat Market

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This one we talked about before in our post about delicious Korean food towns to visit, but it deserves another mention here. Just like Noyrangjin Fish Market, Majang Meat Market supplies many of Seoul’s restaurants with their meat. So instead of getting it secondhand, get it straight from the source for fresher meat and a cheaper price — perfect for carnivores with light wallets. And there’s a fun system to boot. Go to a butcher stall, pick the specific type of meat and cut you want, then bring it over to a restaurant nearby where you can grill to your meat-eating heart’s content.

How to get there: Majang Station (Line 5, Exit 2). Turn left at Majang Street (마장거리) and go straight past the school. (Taxi recommended.)
Pics via Korean bloggers: Blogger 1 & Blogger 2

Tip: Seoul has a tour bus that goes to all the biggest markets. It’s an all day pass, which allows you to hop on and off of these buses whenever/wherever you want. See here for more info.

For markets most guidebooks don’t mention, see the next pages.

Keith
Keith
Keith Kim is a Korean-American who has been living in Korea for almost a decade. Being in a unique position as both a Korean and a non-Korean, he's put all his experience and knowledge for surviving in Korea in Survival Korean . Read it to learn how you can survive in Korea. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

17 Comments

  1. Natalie says:

    Thanks for this, I love traditional markets and plan to visit them all while living here. I’m looking for a more Chinese market with Chinese ingredients like Chinese Wax Sausages (Lap Cheong), Dried Soy Skin (Fu Juk), or any other traditional Chinese soy byproduct paraphernalia, Dried Lotus Bud. Do you know if there are any here in Seoul? Any hellp would be greatful. Thannks!

  2. Keith says:

    See #12 🙂 daerim central market 대림즁앙시장

  3. nD says:

    Love it!

    A friend of mine took me to Geumcheongyo Market before, and it’s really old school to the max!

    Can u guys do a topic about 포장마차? It’s quite difficult to locate one these days, thanks!

  4. Lili says:

    Perfect! I must go there, especially the fabric and textile market 🙂 thanks for the great suggestions.

  5. Daryl says:

    This site is a godsend, I’m moving to Korea later this year from the UK and Nakwon is most definitely getting a visit to soothe my musical burns.
    And you know I’m hunting you down for a soju session Keith, my man!

  6. Juanita says:

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    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!

  7. michelle says:

    hi! will be visiting korea end of next month for 8days. would love to visit & experience the locals daily live & places. Hope you can recommend me some ideas where to stay best. tqvm

    Michelle

  8. Ron says:

    I am looking for a wholesale leather shop. Years ago thee was a 4-6 floor bldg. I forget where. Jackets galore in tiny stalls. Can some direct me specifically?

  9. Chantal says:

    I love this website so much

  10. Chantal says:

    Good job for doing it

  11. Fatema says:

    Does the wholesale market sells only winter clothing in November? or i can find summer clothing as well?

  12. A says:

    Thank you for creating this. I was wondering if there is any real good market for shoemaking supplies and tools? I heard Seongsu was too tourist-y, is that true? Will I find high quality tools or do I have to go to Japan? I appreciate any information!

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  14. Michelle says:

    If you there for one day where would you recommend to go ?

  15. Joel says:

    Great article. I really think that traditional markets should be on everyone’s list of things to do when they visit a new country, especially somewhere like Korea. Thanks for giving so many great suggestions 🙂

  16. Lauren says:

    Thanks for the tips Keith! Korean traditional markets are always worth a visit.

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