Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean road meals market situated pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market presents a wide range 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. If you’re new to Korea or simply touring you must add Gwangjang market to your locations to go to at the very least 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 Night time Market is when a lot of the motion occurs, however there are some employees that are available to eat meals through the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is also referred to as Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the outdated spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.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’s not solely recognized for its Gwangjang market road meals, however you too can get a variety of nice clothes gadgets on this space. It’s thought of to be one in all Korea’s largest markets and is situated within the coronary heart of Seoul. Right here you will discover a wide range of issues from silk, custom-made hanboks, classic clothes, and conventional Korean road 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 | Common Korean Road Meals in Gwangjang market
There are such a lot of nice meals stalls at Gwangjang Market and it has all the time been standard amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nonetheless, it has not too long ago turn into much more standard as a result of well-known Gwangjang Netflix sequence on Korean Road Meals. If you’re planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean road meals it’s worthwhile 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 compared. Listed below are among the hottest issues to eat at Gwangjang market.
Unsure what to eat or really feel intimidated? E-book this Gwangjang Market meals tour!
Bindaetteok – Mungbean Pancakes – greatest meals at gwangjang market
Gwangjang market Meals is understood for these well-known and standard mung bean pancakes and all for good cause as nicely. You’ll go right here and have one and I’m certain you’ll crave one other and wish to return. This Gwangjang market pancake jogs my memory of potato pancakes and are heat and slightly crispy on the skin. It’s completely scrumptious and a should eat at Gwangjang market.
Kimbap or Gimbap
This standard Korean dish is greatest described as a Korean model of sushi. Nonetheless, as a substitute of uncooked fish, this dish is often 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 several types 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 stuffed with knife-cut Korean-style noodles. This soup is nice for conserving you heat through the chilly winter months and full of consolation and taste. There are several types 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 commonly served with a facet of kimchi. If you happen to plan to go go to the Gwangjang Market Netflix woman, that is one in all her hottest dishes and probably the most standard knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is named the Netflix kalguksu woman.
Mandu
There are two typical forms of mandu or dumplings which can be typical in Korea. There may be the normal taste stuffed with minced meat and veggies and the kimchi mandu which is stuffed with imply and kimchi. Kimchi mandu is barely widespread in Korea and it’s one in all 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 often like them panfried, nonetheless, it actually is dependent upon 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
This can be a standard Korean road meals at Gwangjang market that’s made from cylinder-shaped rice muffins and coated in a candy and spicy sauce. You may see any such road meals throughout South Korea and it’s probably the most standard road meals to take pleasure in. If you happen to 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 standard for the steak tartare. They often prime 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 every part else, it appeared 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 frivolously seasoned.
Soondae
Greatest often 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 often stuffed pig intestines. They’re fairly scrumptious however might be considerably bland as nicely. I believe the feel is what most individuals dislike about it.
Sannakji
Though you may get stay octopus right here, I might recommend you wait and get it at one of many fish markets in Seoul or Jagalchi market in Busan. If you happen to don’t have an opportunity to go to these locations, then you may attempt it right here. It’s one in all my favourite dishes to eat in South Korea. It’s a freshly reduce octopus coated in sesame oil, sesame seeds and slightly little bit of salt. The octopus remains to be transferring on the plate and it’s possible you’ll want to make use of your chopsticks to pry the transferring 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 presents 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 standard road meals in Korea and often served through the winter months. I solely discovered just a few stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however in case you discover them it’s completely price trying out. It’s my favourite dessert road meals possibility in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s often 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. This can be a very talked-about donut that’s made from rice flour so it’s slightly stickier than common donuts. They’re often sizzling and contemporary with a view to be good and coated in sugar and generally cinnamon sugar. If you’re a donut lover like myself, you need to attempt one in all these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, this can be a standard snack amongst many Asian children. It was my favourite rising up and in case you aren’t an enormous fan of candy crimson beans then I don’t recommend you order this. This can be a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweetened crimson bean paste. This standard dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and turn into a preferred staple in Korean road meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are comprised of a mushy, cake-like batter that’s poured right into a walnut-shaped mildew. Inside, you’ll usually discover a filling of candy crimson bean paste, and generally even a piece of walnut for that additional crunch. The mildew is then closed and baked till the skin 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 in addition for locals. It’s like a hug in your style buds—comforting, candy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they’re often offered in little paper baggage, 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 all the road 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 nicely. I might say that the extra prestigious ones are upstairs with larger high quality, nonetheless, I discover all of them to be fairly nice in design. I extremely recommend taking one in all Gwangjang Market’s day excursions in Seoul to get extra out of it.
The way to get to Gwangjang Market and Opening Hours
- Gwangjang Market Opening hours: Usually 8:30 am – 6 pm every day however the eating places are often 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)
- The way to 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 fluctuate, 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 is dependent upon 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 variety 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 gown characterised by its vibrant colours and easy strains. The ladies’s model often consists of a jeogori (shirt) and a chima (skirt), whereas the lads’s model has a jeogori and baji (pants). It’s an emblem of Korean tradition and heritage, usually worn on particular events and holidays.
Now, why must you purchase it at Gwangjang Market? Effectively, my buddy, this market is sort of a treasure trove for genuine, high-quality Hanboks. Not like the mass-produced variations you may discover elsewhere, the Hanboks right here are sometimes handmade, stitched collectively by artisans who’ve honed their craft over many years. You may really feel the love and custom in each thread. Plus, the range 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 far more cheap in comparison with specialty boutiques.
Purchase Conventional Souviners
Gwangjang Market is sort of a treasure chest on the subject of conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on slightly digital buying 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 house decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers should not simply useful but in addition extremely stunning. They’re straightforward to pack and make for a captivating reward.
- Conventional Masks: Often called “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: If you happen to’re a tea lover, you’ll adore the normal Korean tea units. They usually 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 will likely be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: If you happen to’re into artwork or writing, a conventional Korean calligraphy set may very well be a significant memento. It often contains brushes, ink, and paper—all it’s worthwhile to attempt your hand at this historical artwork kind.
- Jewellery: Yow will discover stunning items made from jade, a stone that holds particular significance in Korean tradition. It’s mentioned to deliver 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: Recognized for its well being advantages, Korean ginseng is a well-liked reward. Yow will discover it in varied varieties, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It’s not situated 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 probabilities of consuming at this classic market in Seoul.
The place is Gwangjang market situated?
It’s situated in Seoul, South Korea. The handle 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 nicely.
What’s the kimbap Korean spelling?
김밥 is the Korean spelling for Gimbap or Kimbap.
What are the most effective 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 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 contemplate: Gohyang Kalguksu, hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, some mayak kimbap, and 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup.
The way to 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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