Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean road meals market situated pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market gives quite a lot of conventional Korean road meals from Mungbean pancakes, mandu (Korean dumplings), and extra. If you wish to get conventional Korean meals in South Korea, that is the place to do it. In case you are new to Korea or simply touring it’s a must to add Gwangjang market to your locations to go to not less than as soon as in your lifetime.
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Gwangjang Market | What to eat in Seoul’s Conventional Market
This market is Seoul’s oldest conventional market to get conventional clothes, conventional road meals, and extra. Gwangjang Evening Market is when many of the motion occurs, however there are some staff that are available in to eat meals in the course of the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is also called Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the previous spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.
Why is Gwangjang Market Common?
Gwangjang market is a well-liked Seoul meals market as a result of it’s the oldest market in Seoul. It isn’t solely identified for its Gwangjang market road meals, however you may also get a whole lot of nice clothes gadgets on this space. It’s thought of to be certainly one of Korea’s largest markets and is situated within the coronary heart of Seoul. Right here you will discover quite a lot of issues from silk, custom-made hanboks, classic clothes, and conventional Korean road meals. In case you are wanting extra for garments, then I extremely recommend visiting Dongdaemun market.
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What to eat at Gwangjang Market | Common Korean Avenue Meals in Gwangjang market
There are such a lot of nice meals stalls at Gwangjang Market and it has at all times been well-liked amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nevertheless, it has lately turn out to be much more well-liked as a result of well-known Gwangjang Netflix collection on Korean Avenue Meals. In case you are planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean road meals it’s worthwhile to strive there. I’ve listed Gwangjang market well-known meals choices beneath.
In contrast to the meals market Myeongdong, the meals at Gwangjang market is extra conventional compared. Listed below are among the hottest issues to eat at Gwangjang market.
Unsure what to eat or really feel intimidated? Guide this Gwangjang Market meals tour!
Bindaetteok – Mungbean Pancakes – greatest meals at gwangjang market
Gwangjang market Meals is understood for these well-known and well-liked mung bean pancakes and all for good motive as effectively. You’ll go right here and have one and I’m positive you’ll crave one other and wish to return. This Gwangjang market pancake jogs my memory of potato pancakes and are heat and a bit crispy on the skin. It’s completely scrumptious and a should eat at Gwangjang market.
Kimbap or Gimbap
This well-liked Korean dish is greatest described as a Korean model of sushi. Nevertheless, as an alternative of uncooked fish, this dish is normally full of greens and meat together with carrots, cucumbers, pickled radishes, and meats like bulgogi (marinated beef), tuna, and extra. You may get quite a lot of various kinds of kimbap, though the smaller or mini ones referred to as Mayak kimbap additionally spelled Mayak gimbap are thought of to be extra favorable on this market.
Kalguksu
This Gwangjang market kalguksu conventional Korean soup is crammed with knife-cut Korean-style noodles. This soup is nice for holding you heat in the course of the chilly winter months and full of consolation and taste. There are various kinds of Kalguksu you may get from seafood to beef.
This soup is gentle in taste that means it isn’t spicy nonetheless like most Korean dishes is usually served with a facet of kimchi. Should you plan to go go to the Gwangjang Market Netflix girl, that is certainly one of her hottest dishes and probably the most well-liked knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is named the Netflix kalguksu girl.
Mandu
There are two typical kinds of mandu or dumplings which can be typical in Korea. There may be the normal taste crammed with minced meat and veggies and the kimchi mandu which is crammed with imply and kimchi. Kimchi mandu is barely widespread in Korea and it’s certainly one of my favorites to eat in Korea. They’re so scrumptious and you may’t go away this market with out consuming them.
Most Koreans eat it steamed or in a soup, nonetheless, there are locations that pan-fry them. I normally like them panfried, nonetheless, it actually relies on how they’re made and what they’re full of. The lady from the Netflix stand has each the normal and kimchi mandu and let me let you know, that kimchi mandu is one thing I wish to return for.
떡볶이 – Tteokbokki
This can be a well-liked Korean road meals at Gwangjang market that’s fabricated from cylinder-shaped rice muffins and lined in a candy and spicy sauce. You possibly can see the sort of road meals throughout South Korea and it’s probably the most well-liked road meals to get pleasure from. Should you haven’t had it or discovered different distributors in different places, make sure you have some right here.
육회 – Yuk-hoe or Steak Tartare
This market may be very well-liked for the steak tartare. They normally high it off with a uncooked yellow yolk that you just combine in with the steak tartare. Though I didn’t get an opportunity to strive it right here as a result of I used to be so full off of every thing else, it seemed completely scrumptious and I plan to return and have some. I actually get pleasure from beef tartare in South Korea as a result of it’s so flavorful and frivolously seasoned.
Soondae
Greatest generally known as blood sausages. This dish is for the adventurous as a result of it’s a bit chewy in texture and blood sausages are normally stuffed pig intestines. They’re fairly scrumptious however might be considerably bland as effectively. I believe the feel is what most individuals dislike about it.
Sannakji
Though you may get dwell octopus right here, I might recommend you wait and get it at one of many fish markets in Seoul or Jagalchi market in Busan. Should you don’t have an opportunity to go to these locations, then you could possibly strive it right here. It’s certainly one of my favourite dishes to eat in South Korea. It’s a freshly reduce octopus lined in sesame oil, sesame seeds and a bit little bit of salt. The octopus continues to be shifting on the plate and you could want to make use of your chopsticks to pry the shifting tentacles, however actually, don’t let that scare you away.
Soy Marinated Crab
Soy Marinated Crab at Gwangjang Market in Seoul is a must-try delicacy. This dish options crab marinated in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sweetness. The meat is tender, and the roe gives a wealthy, oceanic taste. It’s a hands-on consuming expertise that captures the essence of Korean road meals.
Different choices you’ll be able to eat at Gwangjang Market
- 비빔밥 – Bimbimbap – A spicy rice dish with veggies and meat
- 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup
- 족발 – Jokbal – Pigs toes
- 닭발 – Dalkbal – Hen toes
Desserts at Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
This well-liked road meals in Korea and normally served in the course of the winter months. I solely discovered a number of stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however if you happen to discover them it’s completely value trying out. It’s my favourite dessert road meals choice in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s normally full of brown sugar and typically sunflower seeds and nuts relying on the seller.
꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut
Proper subsequent to the hotteok stand I noticed contained in the Gwangjang market was a stall promoting Gwabaegi which is a well-liked Korean doughnut. This can be a extremely popular donut that’s fabricated from rice flour so it’s a bit stickier than common donuts. They’re normally scorching and contemporary with a purpose to be good and lined in sugar and typically cinnamon sugar. In case you are a donut lover like myself, you should strive certainly one of these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, it is a well-liked snack amongst many Asian children. It was my favourite rising up and if you happen to aren’t a giant fan of candy pink beans then I don’t recommend you order this. This can be a fish-shaped pastry full of sweetened pink bean paste. This well-liked dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and turn out to be a well-liked staple in Korean road meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are comprised of a smooth, cake-like batter that’s poured right into a walnut-shaped mildew. Inside, you’ll sometimes discover a filling of candy pink bean paste, and typically even a bit of walnut for that additional crunch. The mildew is then closed and baked till the skin turns a golden brown. The outcome? A heat, fluffy pastry with a gooey, candy heart.
Hodo Kwaja is a well-liked snack not only for vacationers but additionally for locals. It’s like a hug on your style buds—comforting, candy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they’re normally offered in little paper luggage, making them the proper on-the-go snack as you proceed to discover the wonders of Gwangjang Market.
The place to buy at Gwangjang Market
So the entire road meals distributors are sometimes on the primary ground. If you wish to search for materials, clothes, and extra, they’re totally on the second ground. There are a number of distributors on the primary ground down some alleyways as effectively. I might say that the extra prestigious ones are upstairs with greater high quality, nonetheless, I discover all of them to be fairly nice in design.
get to Gwangjang Market and Opening Hours
- Gwangjang Market Opening hours: Sometimes 8:30 am – 6 pm day by day however the eating places are normally 8:30 am to 11:00 pm, however I recommend you go within the afternoon or night although locations are opening within the morning, most of them are prepping the meals for the day. Some locations are closed on Sunday.
- Handle: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동)
- get there: Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will notice the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
- Costs: Okorean road meals costs differ, on the Netflix stall we paid 10,000 received (~$9USD) for a bowl of Kalguksu and Mandu. We shared the dish and it was fairly filling for two folks. The Bindaetteok was about 2 for 3,000 received (~$2.50). So actually, it relies on the place you go and what you get. Most locations are 1,500 received and up.
- Web site: www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr
Issues to do close to Gwangjang Market
There are a whole lot of issues to do close to Gwangjang Market. Moreover consuming foot at Gwangjang market, right here are some things I recommend you do whereas right here.
Buy a Hanbok
The Hanbok is a conventional Korean gown characterised by its vibrant colours and easy traces. The ladies’s model normally consists of a jeogori (shirt) and a chima (skirt), whereas the boys’s model has a jeogori and baji (pants). It’s an emblem of Korean tradition and heritage, typically worn on particular events and holidays.
Now, why must you purchase it at Gwangjang Market? Properly, my buddy, this market is sort of a treasure trove for genuine, high-quality Hanboks. In contrast to the mass-produced variations you would possibly discover elsewhere, the Hanboks right here are sometimes handmade, stitched collectively by artisans who’ve honed their craft over a long time. You possibly can really feel the love and custom in each thread. Plus, the variability is astounding—whether or not you need one thing conventional or a contemporary twist, you’ll discover it right here. And let’s not overlook, the costs are sometimes way more affordable in comparison with specialty boutiques.
Purchase Conventional Souviners
Gwangjang Market is sort of a treasure chest relating to conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on a bit digital procuring spree, lets?
- Korean Pottery: Whether or not it’s a celadon vase or a cute kimchi pot, Korean pottery is famend for its craftsmanship. These make for elegant items or residence decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers aren’t simply purposeful but additionally extremely lovely. They’re straightforward to pack and make for a captivating present.
- Conventional Masks: Often known as “Hahoe,” these masks are sometimes utilized in conventional Korean performs and dances. They make for distinctive wall decorations and are an awesome dialog starter.
- Korean Tea Units: Should you’re a tea lover, you’ll adore the normal Korean tea units. They typically include a teapot, cups, and a serving tray, all exquisitely designed.
- Korean Snacks: From dried seaweed to honey-filled “Yakgwa” cookies, Korean snacks are a tasty memento that received’t final lengthy however might be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: Should you’re into artwork or writing, a conventional Korean calligraphy set could possibly be a significant memento. It normally consists of brushes, ink, and paper—all it’s worthwhile to strive your hand at this historical artwork type.
- Jewellery: You could find lovely items fabricated from jade, a stone that holds particular significance in Korean tradition. It’s mentioned to carry good luck and prosperity.
- Silk Scarves: These are sometimes hand-painted and have conventional Korean patterns. They’re light-weight, making them straightforward to pack, they usually add a contact of magnificence to any outfit.
- Korean Ginseng: Identified for its well being advantages, Korean ginseng is a well-liked present. You could find it in varied varieties, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It isn’t situated indoors, nonetheless, it’s below a lined construction. It’s a big open area with roofing which prevents rain and different climate from ruining your possibilities of consuming at this classic market in Seoul.
The place is Gwangjang market situated?
It’s situated in Seoul, South Korea. The deal with is 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동).
Does Gwangjang market take card?
Not sometimes. This Korean meals market in Seoul is just about a cash-heavy space to seize low-cost and scrumptious meals. Myeongdong meals market is just about the identical as effectively.
What’s the kimbap Korean spelling?
김밥 is the Korean spelling for Gimbap or Kimbap.
What are the perfect meals in Gwangjang Market?
I’ve listed them above, however to be quick and concise, the highest selections are binddatteok, kimbap particularly mayak kimbap, Kalguksu, mandu, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, 육회 – Yuk-hoe or Steak Tartare, Soondae, Sannakji, 비빔밥 – Bimbimbap – A spicy rice dish with veggies and meat, 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup, 족발 – Jokbal – Pigs toes, 닭발 – Dalkbal – Hen toes, Hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, and 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang.
What are some halal meals at Gwangjang market?
Whereas I can’t assure any of the meat is halal, listed below are some halal choices you’ll be able to think about: Gohyang Kalguksu, hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, some mayak kimbap, and 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup.
go to Gwangjang market by subway
Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will notice the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
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