Korea famous market — 10 traditional, famous & best markets in Korea you should visit

March 11, 2023

South Korea is well known all over the world with gorgeous landscapes of tall mountains and calm bays, skyscrapers with luxurious and modern commercial centers, and shopping malls. Its image is as a tech-driven, futuristic nation. Away from the hustle and luxury, there are exciting places through traditional markets. So, are you finding some traditional markets in South Korea for food or grab some souvenirs? Let’s check out our suggested top 10 best markets in Korea and famous market in south Korea (Korea famous market) as follows to find out the answer!

Busan traditional market | best markets in korea

Experience in Dongdaemun market, Jeju | best markets in korea

Dongmun market, Jeju | best markets in korea

Traditional Hanbok Shop in Gwangchang Market | best markets in korea

Get a current tourism trend catch at changes from sightseeing to experiencing, exploration of Korean traditional markets will be a fascinating experience to help you learn more about Korean people’s life and culture. Immerse in the bustle of these markets, there have many chances to buy common stuff or unique products. Moreover, extra excitement is the delicious street food in the markets. Many diverse products at affordable prices are found to satisfy tourists’ interests.

How to get to South Korea?

Korean Air and Asiana are the two big Korean airlines, operating direct flights from several destinations around the world. Seoul increasingly features as a stopover on a round-the-world trip, and dozens of international carriers well serve the country. Fares increase in the springs, autumns, and holidays of the year due to peak tourist seasons.

Now, check out 10 best traditional markets in South Korea below.

Gwangjang Market (#best markets in korea)

Address: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2 2267 0291
Operating hours:

Main Market: 9:00–18:00 (Sunday off)
Food court: 9:00–23:00 daily
Shopping area: 10:00–19:00 (Sunday off)

Gwangjang Market in Seoul’s capital is situated between two bridges Gwangkyo and Janggyo. With a long history, Gwangjang Market was opened in 1905 by merchants in the Joseon Dynasty.

The food court is always crowded with locals and tourists | best markets in korea

The most prominent and popular products well known by a large number of tourists are Korean traditional eateries and a variety of extremely affordable snacks. Therefore, this is a place that attracts a lot of Korean food lovers. The market is always crowded from morning to evening, especially on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. Hence, a drop in the market on weekdays is made to get an easy exploration.

Odeng (fish cake) and Tteokbokki (rice rolls) | best markets in korea

Legendary live octopus and raw beef salad | best markets in korea

Some of the typical delicacies that are easy to find on Gwangjang Market are Bindaetteok (green bean pancakes), Sundae – a type of sausage, and Yukhoe (raw beef salad) and more. In addition, you can freely shop, and visit clothing stores, fabric stores, and many other items in the market.

Mangwon Market (#best markets in korea)

Address: 27 Poeun-Ro 6-Gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2 335 3591
Operating hours: 9:00–21:00

A corner of Mangwon market | korea famous market

Mangwon market is located nearby Mangwon station. This is a traditional but rather modern market in Seoul. You will not have to encounter situations as same as other traditional markets that are often very smelly and not clean.

Mangwon market is so clean and tidy.@shutterstock | korea famous market

On the contrary, with a modern style, the market is very clean and decorated, and the stalls are arranged scientifically. There are many unique and luxurious cafes and restaurants here. Furthermore, most of the stores and stalls are allowed to trade in credit card payments.

Dakgangjeong is deep-fried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce that some call Korea’s popcorn chicken but with a richer flavor | korea famous market

This classic Korean croquettes store has a history of 20 years | korea famous market

This is considered a culinary paradise for young people and numerous tourists, especially on weekends. Mangwon Market serves many delicious dishes such as chicken Dakgangjeong (fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce), Croquette with French fries, deep-fried shrimp, etc. With the best revenue, you must try these dishes when you come to Mangwon market.

Namdaemun Market (#korea famous market)

Address: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Phone: +82 2 753 2805
Hours: 11:00–18:00

Being a Korean traditional market with a long history dating back to the Joseon era operating since 1964, Namdaemun Market is located in Seoul. This is a miniature fashion and food paradise that you should not miss on your trip to South Korea.

The market has a large scale, with more than 10,000 shops and 50,000 traders. More than 1,700 essential items including food, groceries, clothing, kitchen tools, accessories, and more are sold here.

Namdaemun Market, Seoul | korea famous market

Namdaemun Market is always bustling, which will be an ideal place for your trips. Visitors can enjoy shopping for many items at low prices and learn more about Korean culture.

The unique gift collection is here for your free choice

Don’t forget to buy yourself a Hanbok to commemorate your trip or as a gift for your friends. And enjoy delicious specialties at Namdaemun market, especially the special stewed fish dish.

Seomyeon Market (#korea famous market)

Address: 56 Seomyeon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82 51 806 5025
Hours: 7:00–21:00

With a history of nearly 60 years, Seomyeon Market has become a prominent tourist attraction in Seomyeon. This place attracts many visitors to relax and enjoy a variety of street food such as Dwaeji Gukbap (pork soup), Nokdu Jeon (green bean pancakes), and snacks.

Seomyeon Dwaeji Gukbap Street in Seomyeon Market is packed with restaurants serving this soup, becoming Busan’s best-known specialty | famous market in south korea

Pojangmacha street food vendors serve food inside tents | famous market in south korea

Jagalchi Seafood Market (#famous market in south korea)

Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-Ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82 51 713 8000
Hours: 10:30–20:00 daily

Being famous throughout the port city of Busan, the Jagalchi seafood market is a distinctive symbol of this city. You can see many fresh seafood products such as whales and sea eels. Especially, you can watch interesting auctions.

Come to the Jagalchi fish market, you will enjoy delicious specialties in Busan, not to mention fresh seafood dishes that are cooked well.

Apart from the Jagalchi market, you also visit many famous tourist attractions nearby, such as Nampo-dong BIFF Street, Yongdusan Park, and Bupyeong Kkangtong night market.

Dongmun Market (#famous market in south korea)

Address: 20, Gwandeok-ro 14-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Phone: +82 64 752 3001
Hours: 8:00–23:00 daily

Dongmun Market is a place, which you should not miss out on during your trip to Jeju. It attracts both many locals and tourists. It is the oldest permanent traditional market, and also a famous seafood market on Jeju Island. You can buy newly caught fresh seafood.

After an exploration of the amazing landscapes of Jeju Island, bring your friends to Dongmun Market, and hand-pick fresh seafood dishes such as red shrimp, crab, tilapia, clams, oysters, and more to enjoy the delicious sea tastes.

A street stall with grilled food at Dongmun market | best food markets in korea

Delicious ice-cream | best food markets in korea

In addition, there will be more than 32 mobile stalls on a 150 m-long road section. They sell entirely delicious specialties including garlic-flavored Dakgangjeong chicken, black pork hamburger, Jeju carrot hot dog, Hallabong tangerine juice, Udo peanut ice cream, etc.

Onyang Hot Spring Market

Address: 102-11 Oncheon-dong, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Phone: +82 41 541 1189
Hours: 6:30–19:00 daily

The constant stream of both locals and travelers visiting the hot springs gave birth to Onyangoncheon Market.

Apart from the two fashion and food areas, they are almost as same as other traditional Korean markets. The hot spring area is a highlight of the market. With a more than 1,300-year history, the hot spring area is for customers to soak their feet outside at the entrance to the market.

Suncheon Aretjang Market

Address: 60, Jangpyeong-Ro, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do 57961 South Korea
Phone: +82 61 741 3334
Hours: 5:00–20:00 daily

This is the largest traditional market for locals and tourists to buy fresh agricultural products and seafood.

The market will be great during the day and even the night. During the daytime, the market area is bustling with vendors and buyers. At night, the area becomes more crowded and moves inside.

Part of the outside of Suncheon Aretjang Market

It serves a variety of traditional delicacies and snacks at mobile stalls. You can enjoy cheap delicacies such as grilled clams, duck steak, shrimp with chili cream sauce, and others served by young chefs.

A young chef is cooking his food with an actor’s attitude

Occasionally, you will see live music performances at the night market. Overall, the atmosphere is great and jovial.

Jukdo Seafood Market

Address: 13-1 Jukdosijang 13(sip sam)-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Phone: +82 54 247 3776
Hours: 5:00–21:00 daily

With more than 1,000 shops located on the seaside, the products at Jukdo market are typically fresh fish and seafood. You can hand-select live seafood dishes that the sellers proceed in place as your requirement. Therefore, the freshness and quality of the food are ensured.

Fresh and dried fish are various in this market

Silkworm larvae roasted in a big pot is a delicacy that not anyone can try

In addition, you can also enjoy typical Korean dishes here served in mobile kiosks, such as Kaljebi, Sujebi noodles, Mulhoe fish salad, Dakgangjeong fried chicken, Gomtang beef bone soup, etc. After visiting the market, you can visit the sights near Jukdo Seafood Market the North Sea, and Cape Homigot.

Nambu Market

Address: 19-3 Pungnammun 1-Gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Phone: +82 63 284 1344
Hours: 5:00–21:00 daily

Opened as a regular public market in 1905 at the site of the Joseon-era Nammunbakk Market, Nambu Market is located just outside the Southern gate to the city. Currently, the market is comprised of about 800 stores with 1,200 workers selling vegetables, fruits, food, dried fish, furniture, silk goods, and general goods.

The night market held on Fridays and Saturdays also draw in many visitors with a multitude of appetizing treats such as spring rolls, bacon rolls, octopus skewers, and also Vietnamese Pho.

Tips to visit Korean traditional markets

Traditional markets offer abundant local delicacies and a variety of products. Therefore, your necessity is the locals’ enthusiastic instructions.

Before buying, you should remember to make a bargain to get the best deal.

Markets have always been a gathering place where people engage with each other, whether it’s by trading tales or trading merchandise, and Korea’s markets remain a vibrant part of the social and commercial scene today. A visit to traditional markets reflects a part of Korean culture. Visitors might run into these markets, which offer an unsurpassed chance to mingle with the local scene and to get a glimpse into how the people live. Moreover, you can try unique delicacies and buy various products from South Korea to bring back to your home.

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