Tucked away in a neighborhood to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul is Tongin Market. This street market is popular with locals who head down to experience the food and filling up a bento box with a set of brass coins that can be purchased from a Dosirak cafe.
Vising Tongin Market in Seoul
Tongin Market was set up by the Japanese in 1941 , during World War II, to serve Japanese residents living the neighborhood.
The small covered market is made up of a narrow passageway lined with stalls on both sides. There are roughy 70 to 80 vendors in the market.
Stepping inside, it reminded us of the type of Japanese covered markets that you can find in cities such as Kyoto. The roof covering make the narrow lane make it possible to shop in all types of weather – rain or shine.
Vendors within Tongin Market sell market produce like fresh meats and vegetables along with sundry goods.
Tongin Market Dosirak Cafe or Lunchbox Cafe
Around the middle of the market you will come across a little alcove.
Besides the market’s restrooms being found here, of more significance to the tourists visiting Tongin Market is a sign that directs them upstairs to the Coin Lunchbox Cafe, also known as the Dosirak Cafe.
Ascend the stairs and you will find the Coin Lunchbox Cafe where you can buy an empty plastic bento box along with some ancient-looking coins, bundled together with a wire tie.
Each coin is worth 500 won.
Creating Your Own DIY Lunchbox at Tongin Market
The coins can be used as tokens to purchase food from participating stalls and vendors along the market street below.
Participating stalls are marked out with either a sign on the counter or one that hangs from above.
Armed with the coins, you can venture out into the market in search of food to fill up the lunchbox.
The food on sale at Tongin Market is very similar to street food. You may wish to walk along the entire length of the market (which isn’t too long) to see what foods are on sale.
You can find tteokbokki, fish cake, gimbap and mandu (dumplings).
When we visited, we also came across vegetarian glutinous rice, wrapped in a lotus leaf. This can be found at the Tongin Chok stall, which also sells colorful rolls filled with vegetables.
Another interesting find was a salty red bean porridge with glutinous rice inside.
Each food item typically costs between two to four coins.
Once you have sufficiently filled up your bento box, you can return up to the Coin Lunchbox Cafe. Any unused coins can be refunded.
Dining the Dosirak Cafe at Tongin Market
The Coin Lunchbox Cafe or Dosirak Cafe is where you can take a seat and tuck into the food. Utensils are available at the cafe. Rice and drinks are available for sale too.
A hot Americano starts from 1,500 won and cold drinks range from 2,000 to 2,500 won.
If you really enjoyed the experience, there are also cute coin plushies that you can purchase to take home. These range in prices from 6,500 won to 16,000 won.
The Tongin Market’s brass coin lunchbox scheme is a bit touristy, but if you are a tourist and looking for a different way to check out a local market, this could be a fun experience for you.
Getting to Tongin Market
To get to Tongin Market, take the Subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station. Exit from Exit 2 and walk northwards along Jahamun-ro for around 520 metres.
Where: 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
