Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean avenue meals market situated pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market gives 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 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 avenue meals, and extra. Gwangjang Night time Market is when a lot of the motion occurs, however there are some staff that are available in to eat meals through the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is also called Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the outdated spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.
Why is Gwangjang Market Widespread?
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 avenue meals, however you can even get plenty of nice clothes objects 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 yow will discover 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 counsel visiting Dongdaemun market.
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What to eat at Gwangjang Market | Widespread 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 widespread amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nonetheless, it has not too long ago change into much more widespread because of the well-known Gwangjang Netflix sequence on Korean Road Meals. If you’re planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean avenue meals you could attempt there. I’ve listed Gwangjang market well-known meals choices beneath.
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? Guide this Gwangjang Market meals tour!
Bindaetteok – Mungbean Pancakes – greatest meals at gwangjang market
Gwangjang market Meals is thought for these well-known and widespread mung bean pancakes and all for good cause as properly. 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 surface. It’s completely scrumptious and a should eat at Gwangjang market.
Kimbap or Gimbap
This widespread Korean dish is greatest described as a Korean model of sushi. Nonetheless, as a substitute of uncooked fish, this dish is often full of greens and meat together with carrots, cucumbers, pickled radishes, and meats like bulgogi (marinated beef), tuna, and extra. You will get a wide range of several types 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 full of knife-cut Korean-style noodles. This soup is nice for maintaining 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 gentle in taste that 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 certainly one of her hottest dishes and one of the vital widespread knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is named the Netflix kalguksu woman.
Mandu
There are two typical kinds of mandu or dumplings which are 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 barely widespread in Korea and it’s certainly one of my favorites to eat in Korea. They’re so scrumptious and you’ll’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 truthfully depends upon how they’re made and what they’re full of. The girl from the Netflix stand has each the normal and kimchi mandu and let me inform you, that kimchi mandu is one thing I wish to return for.
떡볶이 – Tteokbokki
This can be a widespread Korean avenue meals at Gwangjang market that’s made from cylinder-shaped rice truffles and lined in a candy and spicy sauce. You may see this kind of avenue meals throughout South Korea and it’s one of the vital widespread avenue meals to take pleasure in. When 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 could be very widespread for the steak tartare. They often 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 every little thing 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 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 could be considerably bland as properly. I believe the feel is what most individuals dislike about it.
Sannakji
Though you may get dwell octopus right here, I might counsel 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 may attempt 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 slightly little bit of salt. The octopus continues to be shifting on the plate and chances are you’ll want to make use of your chopsticks to pry the shifting 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 gives 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 toes
- 닭발 – Dalkbal – Rooster toes
Desserts at Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
This widespread avenue meals in Korea and often served through the winter months. I solely discovered a couple of stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however if you happen to discover them it’s completely value testing. It’s my favourite dessert avenue meals possibility in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s often full of 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 extremely popular donut that’s made from rice flour so it’s slightly stickier than common donuts. They’re often scorching and recent to be able to be good and lined in sugar and generally cinnamon sugar. If you’re a donut lover like myself, you have to attempt certainly one of these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, this can be a widespread snack amongst many Asian youngsters. It was my favourite rising up and if you happen to aren’t an enormous fan of candy purple beans then I don’t counsel you order this. This can be a fish-shaped pastry full of sweetened purple bean paste. This widespread dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and change into a preferred staple in Korean avenue meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are comprised of a smooth, cake-like batter that’s poured right into a walnut-shaped mould. Inside, you’ll usually discover a filling of candy purple bean paste, and generally even a bit of walnut for that further crunch. The mould is then closed and baked till the surface turns a golden brown. The outcome? 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 to your style buds—comforting, candy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they’re often bought 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 all the 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 a couple of distributors on the primary flooring down some alleyways as properly. 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 counsel taking certainly one of 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: Sometimes 8:30 am – 6 pm day by day however the eating places are often 8:30 am to 11:00 pm, however I counsel 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 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 depends upon 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 plenty of issues to do close to Gwangjang Market. In addition to consuming foot at Gwangjang market, right here are some things I counsel 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 often consists of a jeogori (shirt) and a chima (skirt), whereas the lads’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 good friend, 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 many years. You may 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 in relation to conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on slightly digital purchasing 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 dwelling decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers aren’t simply useful but additionally extremely lovely. They’re straightforward to pack and make for an enthralling reward.
- Conventional Masks: Generally known as “Hahoe,” these masks are sometimes utilized in conventional Korean performs and dances. They make for distinctive wall decorations and are an ideal 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 can be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: When you’re into artwork or writing, a conventional Korean calligraphy set could possibly be a significant souvenir. It often contains brushes, ink, and paper—all you could attempt your hand at this historic artwork kind.
- Jewellery: Yow will discover lovely items made from jade, a stone that holds particular significance in Korean tradition. It’s stated to convey 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 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 types, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It’s not situated indoors, nonetheless, it’s underneath a lined 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 deal with 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 properly.
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 decisions 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 – Rooster 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 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.
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 note the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
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