Seoul is an exciting place to visit filled with plenty to see and do, and places to eat too, of course! When visiting the city, it is a must to pay a visit to Seoul markets to get a taste of the culture and an insight into what makes the city tick.
Where’s an overview guide to the various Seoul markets that you should place on your list of places to visit while in Seoul. Any visit to see the markets will be a feast of the senses.
10 Seoul Markets That You Need to Know About & Visit
Namdaemun Market
This old traditional Korean market, founded in the early 1400s, can be found at Namdaemun, or the Great South Gate. If you enjoy bargaining, this is where you can put your skills to the test. The shops at the sprawling Namdaemun Market sell everything from souvenirs to leather goods to toys to clothes. Since it a traditional market, it is a great way to experience how the locals shop and live.
Food stalls are of an abundance too, making it a great place to try some street food like Japchae Hottteok Pancake, a speciality of Namdaemun Market.
Where: 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Namdaemun Market is a short walk from Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 5.
Dongdaemun Market
This is not a single market but refers to a large commercial shopping district in Seoul that offers a mix of both wholesalers and retailers around Dongdaemun Gate, or the Great East Gate. If you want to shop, there are 26 shopping malls and more than 30,000 speciality shops at the Dongdaemun Market area.
The Dongdaemun Market shopping district is roughly divided into two areas: the retail area and a wholesale / retail area.
Head to malls like Good Morning City and Freya for multi-level shopping. Many of the shops specialize in fashion of the youth and younger segment of shoppers.
When all the shopping stirs up the hunger pangs, head over to Mukja Golmok, Dongdaemun’s food street, to get some traditional Korean grub like chungmu gimbag and odeng (fish cake). Or try out of one of the many restaurants and eateries in the vicinity.
A landmarket at Dongdaemun Markett is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, known to locals as DDP. It stands out for its striking architecture, which has made a it favorite amongst those looking to feed their Instagram feed.
Where: Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there:
Take Subway Line 2, Line 4, or Line 5 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Exit 14); or
Take Subway Line 1 or Line 4 to Dongdaemun Station (Exit 8 or 9).
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market dates back to the turn of the 20th century in Seoul with more than 5,000 shops. It is also Korea’s first permanent market.
These are a mix of market produce stalls, everyday items on sale, as well as food outlets at Gwangjang Market. It was recently featured in the Netflix series on street food. However, it was always attracting people who wanted to seek out great food and at reasonable prices. Some of the foods you can try at Gwangjang Market include knife-cut noodles and the oil-fried mung bean pancake.
Where: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there:
Take the subway to Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1, Exit 7/8) and it is a 3 min walk from there; or
Take the subway to Euljiro 4-ga Station (Line 2/5, Exit 4) and it is a 5 min walk from there.
Myeongdong Night Market
This is a great place to visit in the evening and enjoy some street food. Besides the traditional street foods like ttoekbokki, look out for more contemporary fare like souffle cake and flamed lobster tail. As Myeongdong is a bit touristy, you can expect prices to be slightly higher than at other places. Besides the food stalls, there are souvenir stalls and many fashion and cosmetics shops that draw in shoppers.
Where: 83-9 Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tongin Market
This neighborhood market is a nice place to go on a food tour of your own making. Buy a lunchbox and receive a stack of traditional brass coins, tied together with a wire tie. Then go to different stalls to have your lunchbox filled up with food from different vendors. It is a fun concept for out-of-town visitors. Read more about the experience at Tongin Market.
Where: 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul Folk Flea Market
Antiques, second-hand household items and clothes are amongst the treasure that wait to be discovered at Seoul Folk Flea Market. This is where you can go thrifting and look for a diamond in the rough.
Where: 21, Cheonho-daero 4-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market
Located south of the Han River, the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is where seafood auctions take place. If you love fresh seafood, it won’t come any fresher than at this market. You can buy the seafood from the market stalls on the ground floor before taking it up one floor to have a restaurant cook it.
Where: 674 Nodeul-ro, Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Gyeongdong Market
This is the place to go if you are interested in picking up some herbs and spices. Gyeongdong Market has a never ending array of medicinal herbs, spices, ginseng and mushrooms. You will be able to smell the herbs once you have arrived. The market is also known for its fruit sellers who sell at low prices.
Where: 147, Wangsan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Yongsan Electronics Market
If wholesale electronics is your thing, plan a visit to the Yongsan Electronics Market. This large electronics district is made up of over 20 buildings with more than 5,000 stores. It is the place to go to seek out all sorts of electronic items, camera equipment, components and appliances. Some of the notable malls at Yongsan Electronics Market include The Terminal Mall, also known as PC market, and Electronics Land.
Where: 15-2 Hangangno 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Yangjae Flower Market
Be greeted by colorful flowers and the greenery of plants at Yangjae Flower Market, south of the river near Gangnam. One of the largest agricultural markets in South Korea, it is made up of a series of greenhouses. Originally a flower market, it has now expanded to include plants, trees and gardening equipment that will keep anyone with green fingers happy.
Where: 27 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
