Gwangjang Market Seoul: Your Essential Guide to Authentic Korean Food & Culture

(광장시장 입구, 광장시장 입구는 여러 곳이랍니다 Gwangjang Market Entrance, there are several entrances to Gwangjang Market.)

I live by the Han River in Seoul. Amidst the familiar landscape of towering skyscrapers and apartment complexes, there are places where Korea's tradition and history still breathe. And Gwangjang Market, which I visited yesterday, was one of those places where I could feel the pulse of Seoul most closely.

(을지로4가역, 광장시장은 을지로4가역에서 걸어 갈 수 있어요 Euljiro 4-ga Station, Gwangjang Market is within walking distance from Euljiro 4-ga Station.)

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Gwangjang Market: Past and Present

Gwangjang Market first opened in 1905, making it Korea's oldest permanent market. It was born from the desire of Koreans to protect their economic rights during the Japanese colonial period, a time when Japanese merchants were trying to take control. From its beginnings, Gwangjang Market has been a livelihood and a place of comfort for Seoul citizens for generations.

(광장시장의 또 다른 입구, '한국 최조 상설시장'이라는 설명이 붙어 있어요 Another Entrance to Gwangjang Market, there is a sign that says 'Korea's First Permanent Market'.)

(광장시장에서 볼수 있는 안내원들, 이분들께 궁금한 모든 것(화장실 등)을 물어 볼 수 있어요 Information Guides at Gwangjang Market, you can ask them anything you're curious about (like restrooms))

In recent years, Gwangjang Market has also become a must-visit spot for foreigners coming to Korea. It likely gained even more fame after being featured in the Seoul episode of the Netflix documentary, 'Street Food'. For international visitors, it's a special place to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Korean street food and the vibrant market atmosphere. Seeing the red-clad guides smiling brightly under the Gwangjang Market sign, I was reminded of how much this place is loved by so many.

                      
(광장시장 먹자 골목에 붐비는 사람들, 항상 사람들로 붐비는 곳입니다 Crowds in Gwangjang Market's Food Alley, it's always bustling with people.)

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Gwangjang Market: A Feast for the Senses

The moment you step into Gwangjang Market, it feels like you're traveling back in time. The sights that unfold before your eyes, the scents that waft through the air, and the lively sounds that tickle your ears—everything becomes a special experience.

An Endless Feast of Food

(유명한 빈대떡 가게 들, 오시면 꼭 드셔보세요 Famous Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancake) Restaurants, be sure to try them when you come.)

You can't talk about Gwangjang Market without mentioning its food. The savory smells wafting from the shops lining the bustling food alley stop you in your tracks. In particular, Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) is practically a symbol of Gwangjang Market. These thick, golden-brown pancakes are a fantastic match for makgeolli (rice wine). And the addictive Mayak Gimbap (drug gimbap), seasoned with a savory sauce, makes it impossible to stop at just one. You can taste the essence of Korean street food here, including chewy Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), warm Eomuk (fish cakes), and sweet and spicy Sundae (blood sausage). The refreshing and spicy Dae-gu Maeuntang (spicy codfish stew) also offers an unforgettable flavor.

Diverse Goods, Filled with Life Stories

(모든 물건을 파는 가게, 찬찬이 둘러보면 물건이 다양해서 깜짝 놀랄 겁니다 A Store Selling Everything, if you take your time to look around, you'll be surprised by the variety of goods.)

Gwangjang Market isn't just about food. Just a short walk from the food alleys, another world unfolds. From textile shops with their vibrant colors to Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) stores bustling with activity before holidays, fresh seafood at fish restaurants, and the healthy aura of red ginseng shops, it's like an everything-under-the-sun marketplace. In particular, stores like Hanguk Gimulsangsa, selling all sorts of goods, offered a glimpse into old Korean charm, and I was once again captivated by the beauty of our traditional crafts at the shimmering Najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware) workshop.

(유명한 홍삼 가게, 지인들께 선물할 홍삼을 구입 할 수 있습니다 A Famous Red Ginseng Store, you can buy red ginseng to gift to acquaintances.)

Here, you can catch glimpses of the lives of Koreans, passed down from our grandparents' generation to today. Many of the shop owners are elderly, their faces etched with years of experience. As you listen to their stories embedded in each item and the lively laughter of passersby, Gwangjang Market feels less like just a market and more like a living museum.

(시장내 사거리, 여러 골목이 합쳐져서 더 붐비는 모습을 볼 수 있어요 A Crossroads Inside the Market, you can see an even more crowded scene where several alleys meet.)

Seoul is a rapidly developing city. Yet, amidst this fast-changing landscape, Gwangjang Market remains a special place where you can feel the unchanging warmth and vibrancy of Korea. If you want to experience the true essence of Korea, be sure to visit Gwangjang Market. Like me, you'll fall completely in love with its charm!

(청계천 산책로, 시장과 바로 붙어 있는 청계천도 꼭 둘러 보세요. Cheonggyecheon Stream Walkway, be sure to also check out Cheonggyecheon Stream, which is located right next to the market.)