Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean road meals market positioned pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market provides 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. In case you are new to Korea or simply touring it’s a must to add Gwangjang market to your locations to go to not less than 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 many of the motion occurs, however there are some employees that are available in to eat meals in the course of the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is also called Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the previous spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.
Why is Gwangjang Market Standard?
Gwangjang market is a well-liked Seoul meals market as a result of it’s the oldest market in Seoul. It’s not solely identified for its Gwangjang market road meals, however you may also get numerous nice clothes gadgets on this space. It’s thought of to be one among Korea’s largest markets and is positioned 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 road meals. In case you are trying extra for garments, then I extremely counsel visiting Dongdaemun market.
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What to eat at Gwangjang Market | Standard 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 common amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nevertheless, it has just lately turn out to be much more common because of the well-known Gwangjang Netflix collection on Korean Road Meals. In case you are planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean road meals it’s essential to attempt there. I’ve listed Gwangjang market well-known meals choices beneath.
In contrast to the meals market Myeongdong, the meals at Gwangjang market is extra conventional compared. Listed here are a number of the hottest issues to eat at Gwangjang market.
Unsure what to eat or really feel intimidated? Ebook 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 nicely. 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 slightly 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 an alternative of uncooked fish, this dish is normally full of 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 in the course of the chilly winter months and full of consolation and taste. There are several types of Kalguksu you will get from seafood to beef.
This soup is gentle in taste which means it isn’t spicy nevertheless like most Korean dishes is commonly served with a aspect of kimchi. If you happen to plan to go go to the Gwangjang Market Netflix girl, that is one among her hottest dishes and one of the crucial common knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is called the Netflix kalguksu girl.
Mandu
There are two typical forms of mandu or dumplings which are typical in Korea. There’s the standard taste stuffed with minced meat and veggies and the kimchi mandu which is stuffed with imply and kimchi. Kimchi mandu is barely frequent in Korea and it’s one among my favorites to eat in Korea. They’re so scrumptious and you’ll’t depart this market with out consuming them.
Most Koreans eat it steamed or in a soup, nevertheless, there are locations that pan-fry them. I normally like them panfried, nevertheless, it truthfully will depend on how they’re made and what they’re full of. The lady from the Netflix stand has each the standard 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 common Korean road meals at Gwangjang market that’s manufactured from cylinder-shaped rice truffles and coated in a candy and spicy sauce. You possibly can see one of these road meals throughout South Korea and it’s one of the crucial common road meals to take pleasure in. If you happen to haven’t had it or discovered different distributors in different places, you should definitely 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 frivolously seasoned.
Soondae
Finest 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 may be considerably bland as nicely. I feel the feel is what most individuals dislike about it.
Sannakji
Though you will get dwell octopus right here, I’d counsel 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 can attempt it right here. It’s one among 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 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 provides a wealthy, oceanic taste. It’s a hands-on consuming expertise that captures the essence of Korean road meals.
Different choices you possibly can 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 – Hen ft
Desserts at Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
This common road meals in Korea and normally served in the course of the winter months. I solely discovered a number of stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however if you happen to discover them it’s completely price trying out. It’s my favourite dessert road meals choice in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s normally 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 manufactured from rice flour so it’s slightly stickier than common donuts. They’re normally sizzling and contemporary with the intention to be good and coated in sugar and generally cinnamon sugar. In case you are a donut lover like myself, it’s essential to attempt one among these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, it is a common snack amongst many Asian youngsters. It was my favourite rising up and if you happen to aren’t a giant 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 common dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and turn out to be a preferred staple in Korean road meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are constructed from a comfortable, 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 additional 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 heart.
Hodo Kwaja is a well-liked snack not only for vacationers but in addition for locals. It’s like a hug on your style buds—comforting, candy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they’re normally bought in little paper luggage, 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 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 a number of distributors on the primary flooring down some alleyways as nicely. I’d say that the extra prestigious ones are upstairs with larger high quality, nevertheless, I discover all of them to be fairly nice in design. I extremely counsel taking one among Gwangjang Market’s day excursions in Seoul to get extra out of it.
Easy 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 counsel you go within the afternoon or night although locations are opening within the morning, most of them are prepping the meals for the day. Some locations are closed on Sunday.
- Deal with: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동)
- Easy 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 aspect.
- Costs: Okayorean road meals costs range, 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 truthfully, it will depend on 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 numerous issues to do close to Gwangjang Market. Moreover consuming foot at Gwangjang market, right here are some things I counsel you do whereas right here.
Buy a Hanbok
The Hanbok is a standard 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 an emblem of Korean tradition and heritage, typically worn on particular events and holidays.
Now, why do you have to purchase it at Gwangjang Market? Properly, my good friend, this market is sort of a treasure trove for genuine, high-quality Hanboks. In contrast to 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 a long time. You possibly can 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 neglect, the costs are sometimes far more cheap in comparison with specialty boutiques.
Purchase Conventional Souviners
Gwangjang Market is sort of a treasure chest in terms of conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on slightly 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 residence decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers should not simply purposeful but in addition extremely stunning. They’re straightforward to pack and make for a captivating present.
- Conventional Masks: Often known as “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 standard 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 received’t final lengthy however might be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: If you happen to’re into artwork or writing, a standard Korean calligraphy set may very well be a significant souvenir. It normally contains brushes, ink, and paper—all it’s essential to attempt your hand at this historical artwork type.
- Jewellery: You could find stunning items manufactured 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, 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 present. You could find it in numerous varieties, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It’s not positioned indoors, nevertheless, it’s underneath 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 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 nicely.
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 ft, 닭발 – Dalkbal – Hen 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 below are some halal choices you possibly can take into account: Gohyang Kalguksu, hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, some mayak kimbap, and 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup.
Easy 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 aspect.
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