Gwangjang Market
Seoul’s busy market has a huge choice of food and goods
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Gwangjang Market in Seoul is a sensory overload in the best way possible. This place isn’t just about food—it’s a full-on experience. The moment you step in, the scent of sizzling jeon (savory pancakes) and bubbling tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) hits you. There’s a buzz in the air, with vendors shouting, chopsticks clinking, and customers crammed shoulder to shoulder at tiny metal tables. It’s chaotic, but that’s part of the charm.
If you’re here to eat, which you absolutely should be, start with the bindaetteok, a crispy mung bean pancake that’s fried to golden perfection. Grab a seat at one of the stalls where elderly women have been making these for decades, and watch as they grind mung beans by hand. Pair it with makgeolli, a milky rice wine, and you’re officially doing it right. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the mayak kimbap—tiny seaweed rice rolls with a sweet mustard dipping sauce that’s weirdly addictive.
The best time to visit is in the late afternoon or early evening when the market is in full swing. Bring cash, expect to wait for a seat, and don’t be shy about squeezing in next to strangers.
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