Korea market - Don't go here

In this post, we'll dive into the heart of the Seoul market.

The most popular market in Seoul, Korea is the Gwangjang Market. However, it has become commercialized, overpriced and unfriendly due to the large number of visitors. These days it has become a hot topic on YouTube and in the news.

So today, I'm going to take you on an exclusive tour of two different charming gems of Seoul's market scene that still retain the authentic Korean market vibe.

You'll also learn why you should visit them and some useful Korean phrases to use at the markets.

 

Why visit a Traditional Market?

Before we get to these secret spots, let's talk about why visiting a Korean market is a must on your travel list. Markets are where you see the real life of a city - what people eat, wear, and use. And it's a cultural immersion, people! For those of you who really want to understand Korea, there's no better place than a traditional market.

See why you should visit a Korean market?

Then let's go explore the market!

 

Famous for its delicious food, Mangwon Market

First up is MangWon Market, a foodie's paradise! This place isn't just about good food. Perfect for a date or a lazy day out. Let's dive into some of the must-try dishes.

 

Basak Macha

The 'Bacon Macha Donkatsu', crispy pork cutlet, a staple in Korean cuisine. I have the 'Quattro Cheese Rollkatsu', and it's incredible! Meat, and crunch! Freshly fried and so crisp! One bite, and it's a symphony of cheese, meat, and crunch! And don't even get me started on their marshmallow ice cream – they torch it right in front of you! Talk about service!

Each Only $4 (= 4,500 won)

 

Queues Dakgangjeong

Queues Dakgangjeong bite-sized chicken with various sauces - absolutely tender and crispy. Korean dakgangjeong is often a little bit hard, but the Queues dakgangjeong is crispy and soft, so I eat it in the original flavor every time when I visit here! 

Cup size is for $4 (= 4,500 won)

 

Song's Tteokkochi

A hidden menu item. It's skewered rice cakes that are fried and dipped in a delicious sauce. It has a different charm compared to the tteokbokki, so if you see a tteok skewer, be sure to try it!

Each  $1 (= 1,000 won)

 

Mangwon Tteokgalbi

It's grilled meat patties that are super tasty. Almost as popular as pork cutlet, tteokgalbi is a Korean favorite. Here, the meat is thick meat and cooked just right. The sauce that comes with it makes me want to eat it over and over again!

For 2 Tteokgalbi $6 (= 7,000 won)

 

Hunhun Hotteok

Probably the most famous Korean street food is probably hotteok. It's hard to go wrong with the hotteok here, as they serve up the basics and then add your favorite condiments. Even when we went on a weekday, there was already a line of people waiting! The most popular items are the Cheese Seasoned Hotteok and the Oreo Hotteok.

Each costs $2 (= 2,000 won)

 

Korean Poppers

Korean Poppers called Ppeongtwigi is a traditional Korean snack food. The rice that is fried under high temperature and pressure is the popping sound you hear at the market. If you're curious, ask around. The boss will give you one to try!

15 of them in a package $2 (= 2,000 won)

 

Fish Cakes

Fishcakes are made by mixing fish and flour, and are often eaten with tteokbokki. It's delicious in all four seasons of the year, but it's best eaten with a warm fishcake soup, especially in the winter.

Each is $1 (= 1,000 won)

 

That's all for now about Mangwon Market for now. There are many other delicious foods to try, so we hope you'll check them out!

If the Mangwon Market is most famous for its food, what's next?

 

The biggest market in Seoul, GyeongDong Market

Next up is GyeongDong Market, the largest traditional market in Seoul. This place has everything - fruits, vegetables, herbs, fish, meat, you name it. It's like a living museum of Korean culture!

The prices are so low that many customers come from far away to buy goods. It is also famous for its herbal medicines. They account for 70% of the total volume in Korea.

 

The best thing about Gyeongdong Market is Starbucks.

Gyeongdong Market is so big that it's easy to get tired from walking around, so we recommend going to Starbucks when you're tired. They have recently renovated an old theater in Gyeongdong Market. You can feel the atmosphere of the old Korean theater there. With Starbucks renovating the theater, Koreans are coming to Gyeongdong Market more often.

 

In fact, there are many markets in Korea.

I've only covered Mangwon Market and Gyeongdong Market today, but if you're interested in more, check out my post on the best 5 markets in Seoul by clicking the link below.

Click here to read!

 

Market Survival Tips

Here are a few survival tips to make your market tour a breeze.

1. Bring cash. Many places at the market do not accept credit cards. They only accept cash. Some places accept bank transfers, but the vendors don't speak much English, so you'll need cash.
2. Browse and buy items. If you want to buy something, don't buy it all at once. Look at more than one store and compare them. Even the same items can vary in quality and price
3. Most people don't speak English very well. It's a good idea to learn some Korean phrases in advance. You can use them with a translator in the marketplace. I'll teach you a simple and good marketplace phrase.

Don't worry, we'll give you some useful phrases to use in the marketplace.

 

Useful Korean phrases at the market place

The beauty of markets is bargaining, and it can be a great experience to bargain and buy things in a market. 

All you have to say is “조금만 싸게 해주세요” (Jogeumman ssage haejuseyo), which means “Please make it a little cheaper?”. When you say, “조금만 싸게 해주세요” (Jogeumman ssagehaejuseyo) with your big smile. It can be work.

However, it's better not to abuse it too much because there are times when the price can't get any lower.

 

That's it for our Seoul market tour.
The traditional Korean markets are a must if you're traveling in Korea. and you'll get a better sense of the country than if you went to a Korean department store or to Olive Young.

I'll be making more posts about Korea in the future. Check out more posts on how to enjoy Korea to the fullest.

See you in the next post!

 

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