Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean avenue meals market positioned pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market presents a wide range of conventional Korean avenue 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. If you’re new to Korea or simply touring it’s a must to add Gwangjang market to your locations to go to a minimum of 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 avenue meals, and extra. Gwangjang Night time Market is when many of the motion occurs, however there are some staff that are available to eat meals throughout the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is often known as Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the previous spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.
Why is Gwangjang Market Fashionable?
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 avenue meals, however you can too get a number of nice clothes gadgets on this space. It’s thought of to be one in every of Korea’s largest markets and is positioned within the coronary heart of Seoul. Right here you could find a wide range of issues from silk, custom-made hanboks, classic clothes, and conventional Korean avenue meals. If you’re trying extra for garments, then I extremely recommend visiting Dongdaemun market.
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What to eat at Gwangjang Market | Fashionable 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 common amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nevertheless, it has just lately grow to be much more common as a result of well-known Gwangjang Netflix sequence on Korean Avenue Meals. If you’re planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean avenue meals you have to attempt there. I’ve listed Gwangjang market well-known meals choices under.
Not like the meals market Myeongdong, the meals at Gwangjang market is extra conventional as compared. Listed here are a few of the hottest issues to eat at Gwangjang market.
Undecided what to eat or really feel intimidated? E-book this Gwangjang Market meals tour!
Bindaetteok – Mungbean Pancakes – finest meals at gwangjang market
Gwangjang market Meals is thought for these well-known and common mung bean pancakes and all for good purpose 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 little bit crispy on the surface. It’s completely scrumptious and a should eat at Gwangjang market.
Kimbap or Gimbap
This common Korean dish is finest described as a Korean model of sushi. Nevertheless, as a substitute of uncooked fish, this dish is normally filled with greens and meat together with carrots, cucumbers, pickled radishes, and meats like bulgogi (marinated beef), tuna, and extra. You may get a wide range of various kinds of kimbap, though the smaller or mini ones known 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 full of knife-cut Korean-style noodles. This soup is nice for preserving you heat throughout 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 delicate in taste which means it isn’t spicy nonetheless like most Korean dishes is usually served with a facet of kimchi. When you plan to go go to the Gwangjang Market Netflix woman, that is one in every of her hottest dishes and some of the common knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is named the Netflix kalguksu woman.
Mandu
There are two typical varieties of mandu or dumplings which can be typical in Korea. There may be the normal taste full of minced meat and veggies and the kimchi mandu which is full of imply and kimchi. Kimchi mandu is just frequent in Korea and it’s one in every of my favorites to eat in Korea. They’re so scrumptious and you may’t depart 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 truthfully relies on how they’re made and what they’re filled with. 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
It is a common Korean avenue meals at Gwangjang market that’s fabricated from cylinder-shaped rice desserts and coated in a candy and spicy sauce. You possibly can see this kind of avenue meals throughout South Korea and it’s some of the common avenue meals to take pleasure in. When you haven’t had it or discovered different distributors in different places, make sure to have some right here.
육회 – Yuk-hoe or Steak Tartare
This market may be very common 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 attempt it right here as a result of I used to be so full off of all the pieces else, it seemed completely scrumptious and I plan to return and have some. I actually take pleasure in beef tartare in South Korea as a result of it’s so flavorful and evenly seasoned.
Soondae
Greatest referred to 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 could be considerably bland as effectively. I feel 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. When you don’t have an opportunity to go to these locations, then you possibly can attempt it right here. It’s one in every of my favourite dishes to eat in South Korea. It’s a freshly reduce octopus coated in sesame oil, sesame seeds and a little bit little bit of salt. The octopus remains to be transferring on the plate and chances are you’ll want to make use of your chopsticks to pry the transferring tentacles, however truthfully, 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 presents a wealthy, oceanic taste. It’s a hands-on consuming expertise that captures the essence of Korean avenue meals.
Different choices you may eat at Gwangjang Market
- 비빔밥 – Bimbimbap – A spicy rice dish with veggies and meat
- 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup
- 족발 – Jokbal – Pigs ft
- 닭발 – Dalkbal – Rooster ft
Desserts at Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
This common avenue meals in Korea and normally served throughout the winter months. I solely discovered just a few stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however when you discover them it’s completely value trying out. It’s my favourite dessert avenue meals possibility in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s normally filled with brown sugar and generally 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. It is a very talked-about donut that’s fabricated from rice flour so it’s a little bit stickier than common donuts. They’re normally sizzling and contemporary as a way to be good and coated in sugar and generally cinnamon sugar. If you’re a donut lover like myself, you will need to attempt one in every of these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, this can be a common snack amongst many Asian children. It was my favourite rising up and when you aren’t a giant fan of candy purple beans then I don’t recommend you order this. It is a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweetened purple bean paste. This common dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and grow to be a well-liked staple in Korean avenue meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are created from a gentle, cake-like batter that’s poured right into a walnut-shaped mildew. Inside, you’ll usually discover a filling of candy purple bean paste, and generally even a bit of walnut for that further crunch. The mildew is then closed and baked till the surface turns a golden brown. The consequence? A heat, fluffy pastry with a gooey, candy middle.
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 baggage, making them the right on-the-go snack as you proceed to discover the wonders of Gwangjang Market.
The place to buy at Gwangjang Market
So the entire avenue meals distributors are usually on the primary flooring. If you wish to search for materials, clothes, and extra, they’re totally on the second flooring. There are just a few distributors on the primary flooring down some alleyways as effectively. I might say that the extra prestigious ones are upstairs with increased high quality, nonetheless, I discover all of them to be fairly nice in design. I extremely recommend taking one in every of Gwangjang Market’s day excursions in Seoul to get extra out of it.
Methods to get to Gwangjang Market and Opening Hours
- Gwangjang Market Opening hours: Usually 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 regardless that 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)
- Methods to get there: Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will note the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
- Costs: Okorean avenue meals costs fluctuate, on the Netflix stall we paid 10,000 gained (~$9USD) for a bowl of Kalguksu and Mandu. We shared the dish and it was fairly filling for two individuals. The Bindaetteok was about 2 for 3,000 gained (~$2.50). So truthfully, it relies on the place you go and what you get. Most locations are 1,500 gained and up.
- Web site: www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr
Issues to do close to Gwangjang Market
There are a number of issues to do close to Gwangjang Market. In addition to 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 costume 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 a logo 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. Not like 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 neglect, the costs are sometimes way more cheap in comparison with specialty boutiques.
Purchase Conventional Souviners
Gwangjang Market is sort of a treasure chest in the case of conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on a little bit digital buying spree, we could?
- 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 house decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers will not be simply practical but additionally extremely stunning. They’re straightforward to pack and make for a captivating reward.
- Conventional Masks: Referred to as “Hahoe,” these masks are sometimes utilized in conventional Korean performs and dances. They make for distinctive wall decorations and are a terrific dialog starter.
- Korean Tea Units: When 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 gained’t final lengthy however will likely be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: When you’re into artwork or writing, a conventional Korean calligraphy set may very well be a significant souvenir. It normally contains brushes, ink, and paper—all you have to attempt your hand at this historic artwork type.
- Jewellery: You’ll find stunning 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, and so they add a contact of class to any outfit.
- Korean Ginseng: Identified for its well being advantages, Korean ginseng is a well-liked reward. You’ll find it in varied kinds, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It isn’t positioned indoors, nonetheless, it’s below a coated construction. It’s a big open house 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 positioned?
It’s positioned in Seoul, South Korea. The tackle is 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동).
Does Gwangjang market take card?
Not usually. 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 one of the best meals in Gwangjang Market?
I’ve listed them above, however to be brief 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 ft, 닭발 – Dalkbal – Rooster ft, 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 here are some halal choices you may think about: Gohyang Kalguksu, hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, some mayak kimbap, and 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup.
Methods to go to Gwangjang market by subway
Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will note the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
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