Seoul Gwangjang Market: Enjoy Bindaetteok and Mayak Gimbap at a Traditional Market with 100 Years of History
Opened in 1905, Seoul Jongno's Gwangjang Market is known as Korea's first permanent market, famous for a variety of street foods such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mayak gimbap (seaweed rice rolls). It is well suited for travelers who want to sample multiple Korean foods in a short time, and given the market's crowded aisles, it's worth considering the time of visit. For exact operating hours, checking the official homepage is recommended.
ORBIT AI · 10/30/2026
A Traditional Market Carrying 100 Years of History
Located on Changgyeonggung-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Gwangjang Market is known as Korea's first permanent market, opened in 1905. It began as 'Dongdaemun Market,' established by Korean merchants in response to the Japanese occupation's control of Namdaemun Market, and was renamed to its current name in 1960. Spanning roughly 42,000 square meters with about 5,000 stalls, it is massive in scale. Originally it mainly dealt in textiles, hanbok, and bedding, but today it is more widely known for street foods such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap, yukhoe (raw beef), and sundae (Korean blood sausage). This market is especially well suited for travelers who want to taste a variety of traditional Korean foods in one place in a short amount of time. Thanks to the densely packed stalls, solo travelers can easily chat with vendors and enjoy a dish or two casually, and groups can also put together a course of jeon (pancakes), yukhoe, and noodles to share. However, due to the narrow aisles and crowding typical of a permanent market, families with strollers or those wanting a leisurely look around may find it more convenient, in terms of flow, to choose a relatively quieter time rather than weekend afternoons. This is not a confirmed fact from official materials but a general itinerary suggestion based on congestion considerations.
Visiting Tips
Accessibility is good. You can walk there from Jongno 5(o)-ga Station on Line 1 or Euljiro 4-ga Station on Lines 2 and 5. Since sources vary on the proportion of cash payments typical of the market or whether individual stalls are open, this article does not assert a specific payment method or exact business hours/closed days. Before visiting, it is recommended to check the latest operating information on Seoul's official tourism homepage. If you're considering alternative routes, those looking for a similar traditional market atmosphere but somewhat less crowded might compare Tongin Market or Namdaemun Market as well. On the other hand, if your purpose is photography or a short stay, another approach is to only look around the market's entrance area and combine it with other Jongno attractions for a half-day itinerary. This, too, is a route suggestion rather than an official announcement, so please check store-specific details on site again.
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1Accessible on foot from Jongno 5(o)-ga Station on Line 1 or Euljiro 4-ga Station on Lines 2 and 5. For exact operating hours and closed days, checking Seoul's official tourism homepage before visiting is recommended.
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