Top 5 Market in Seoul You Don’t Wanna Miss!
Seoul can’t be separated with shopping, night market, and traditional market as it’s one package with your travel in Seoul. Who doesn’t love street food? Street shopping and go to local market and feels living like a locals? In this article, we will share to you five best market in seoul that you can visit during your travel in South Korea while you stay in Seoul.
Seoul is a city that never sleeps and gets busier at night once the locals leave their offices. Market in Seoul provide a different experience and unique insight into the Korean way of life and becoming one of the simplest way to experience living like a locals.
Other than that, If you plan to have a really nice delicious korean street food, then the best place to get that with cheaper price is at a Seoul night market where the streets are lined with food stalls and the city is at its liveliest among youth and workers.
Even though modern skyscrapers and apartment dominate the city’s skyline, Seoul try to keep it’s root and remains deeply authentic by keep the palaces, tombs of kings, historical evidence, museum and traditional market. This is what makes Seoul outstanding compare to the other downtown in various country all around the world.
So let’s dive right to all of this five best market in Seoul that I believe you might be knew one or the other already if you are really love Korea and love to watch Korean Drama.
Gwangjang Market
Credit to @Inihaosaurus
Gwangjang Market is one of Korea’s largest traditional markets and is renowned for its quality silk goods, linen bedding and hand-made goods. These days, the vintage clothing arcade in the market has become a very popular attraction among young people and wholesalers searching for unique vintage fashion.
Gwangjang Market has over 100 years of history. The origin of the market can be traced back to the establishment of the Gwangjang Corporation in 1905 which was created with the purpose of reclaiming Korean sovereignty during the period of Japanese occupation. At that time, traditional Korean markets were only temporary marketplaces that were periodically held every few days.
Gwangjang Market was the first permanently established market that was open everyday. In 1962 the market was divided into Dongdaemun Market and Gwangjang Market and modern buildings were constructed.
The market continues to thrive today and is especially popular among young people for its vintage clothing arcade. The vintage arcade offers a variety of unusual, unique designs that attract many people including many famous Korean celebrities.
Gwangjang Market is also famous for its abundance of street food. If you have craving for authentic Korean street food, then look no further. As you step into this market, you could see that it contains a lot of stalls selling Bindaetteok, Jeon, Bibimbap, Hotteok, Tteokbokki, Yukhoe, and Sashimi.
Gwangjang Market is located near by another famous market called Dongdaemun Market, which is considered to be one of the best shopping areas in Seoul.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2 2267 0291
Opening Hours:
General stores: 08:30 – 18:00
Restaurants: 08:30 – 23:00
Clothing stores: 21.00 – 10.00
Address: 03195 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongo-gu, Seoul
Website
How to get here:
[Subway]
Jongno 5-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 8.
Euljiro 4-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 & 5), Exit 4
[Bus]
Jongno 5(o)-ga Station Bus Stop.
Green Bus: 111, 2014, 2112, 7212
Blue Bus: 101, 103, 106, 140, 143, 150, 160, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 273, 370, 720, 721, N15, N26, N62
Red Bus: 9301
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is a traditional Korean market operating daily from as early as 10 AM to as late as 3 AM. It’s name tells us that it’s located next to Namdaemun Gate (Great South Gate) and not so far from Seoul Station and Myeongdong areas.
The market first opened in 1964. It is the oldest and largest market in South Korea. Namdaemun Night Market is always filled with both locals and tourists shopping for clothes, housewares, glasses, kitchenware, fishing equipment, stationary, accessories, ginseng and traditional herbal teas during the day.
At night, Namdaemun market become Namdaemun night market, a great place to eat street food and grab a bargain from the various stalls. It’s really recommended if you want to searching for traditional souvenirs as some of the goods they sell were made by the market and store seller themselves.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2 753 2805
Address: 04529 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get here:
[Subway]
Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 5.
[Bus]
Namdaemun Market & Hoehyeon Station Bus Stop
Green Bus: 0013, 0014, 0015, 7011, 7013, 7017, 7022
Blue Bus: 130, 104, 152, 162, 163, 201, 202, 261, 406, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 701, 708
Red Bus: 2300, 2500, 9411
Airport Bus: 605-1
Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun is one among many top attractions in Seoul, which tells you that it always filled with people all around and crowded with locals as well as international visitors. The area used to be well-known for its massive ancient fortress gates, such as Dongdaemun (the East Grand Gate) and the Heunginjimun Gate.
Today, Dongdaemun is known for big shopping malls and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) that was designed by Zaha Hadid and becoming even more popular among youth and photographer as it looks beautiful both day and night. Even more, in more recent years, Dongdaemun has become a large shopping complex home to Seoul Fashion Week.
Dongdaemun Market consist of traditional markets and store that covers the entire area around Dongdaemun Gate, one of the landmark in Seoul. You can find all kinds of goods including silks, fabric, clothes, shoes, accessories and many others.
Other than that, Dongdaemun market is famous for its night market and store, however its open 24 hours a day but depending on every owner of its stores. In Dongdaemun Night Market, you will be able to taste delicious street food and get cheap fruit, clothes, shoes and bags here. If the market is not enough, you can head towards the department stores, which is shopping heaven for Korean fashion lovers.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2262 0114
Opening Hours: 10.00-19.00, Closed on Monday
Address: 04564 253, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to get here:
[Subway]
– Subway Line 4, Dongdaemun Station, Exit 8 (5 mins on foot)
– Subway Line 4, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Exits 1 & 14
Noryangjin Fish Market
Noryangjin Market is the largest marine products market in Seoul and is also the most popular with tourists due to that reason. Opened in 1927, it’s centrally located just south of Yeouido Island. The market was originally on Uiju-ro, a street near Seoul Station but was relocated to its current location in 1971.
The market handles 250 to 300 tons of marine products every single day. In the past few years it’s seen a pretty dramatic makeover from the older traditional Korean style of a market that was set up in 1971 into a new shiny bright white walled store.
Noryangjin is not the only fish market in Seoul, however, it’s the best fish market as they always sell fresh fish with the best price among the other.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82-2-2254-8000
Opening Hours:
– High Class Fish – Open 24 hr
– General Fish 01:30–22:00
– Frozen Fish 03:30–22:00
– Shellfish Market 01:00–22:000
– Dried Fish 23:00-19:00
– Jeotgal (Salted fish) 03:00-19:00
Address: 674, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 동작구 노들로 674
How to get here:
[Subway]
– Noryangjin Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 1.
Walk about 100 m over the bridge before arriving at destination.
[Bus]
– Noryangjin Market Bus Stop.
Bus No. 150, 152, 360, 462, 500, 504, 507, 605, 640, 641, 650, 751, 752, 5516, 5517, 5531, 5535, 5536, 6211, 6411, 6515, 9408
Myeongdong Night Market
Myeongdong is a really famous shopping district in Seoul, should be one of the heavens for shopaholic kinda person, if you’re one of them, i highly recommend you to visit this place as you’re seeking market and store for shopping in seoul.
In Myeongdong areas, you can easily find all the really popular and hot korean cosmetic brands in Myeongdong start from Innisfree, Nature republic, The face shop, the body shop, Skinfood, the Saem, Clio, Holika, Etude house, Tony Moly and Missha.
Other plus for Myeongdong is that in this areas, there is a lot of shop that offers you huge discount and offers such as buy 1 get 1 or buy 2 get 1 free with free samples to make sure you will not regret your purchase.
Myeongdong also having night market that operates daily from about 5 PM to 1 AM. You can find market stalls in the middle of the main streets here. It is different from the other traditional night markets as its stalls are filled with innovative food that you can’t get anywhere else in Seoul.
So if you aren’t really interested in shopping for beauty or fashion products, you still can enjoy your time here trying korean street food in Myeongdong, Seoul.
I believe that Myeongdong night market in Seoul is one of the best and must visit night market in Seoul. Anyway, you can also go to the picturesque Myeongdong Cathedral while enjoying some coffee and delicious toast you can purchase in Isaac toast and coffee right nearby Myeongdong cathedral.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2 120
Address: 04536 17 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get here:
[Subway]
Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (Seoul Subway line 2), Exits 5,6 & 7
– Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway line 4), Exits 5, 6, 7 & 8.
[Bus]
– Green Bus no.7017,7021,7022.
– Blue Bus no.100, 143, 151, 152, 202, 261, 405, 701, 702A, 702B.
– Express Bus no. 1005-1, 1150, 5000, 5005, 7900, 8800, 9000, 9001, 9003, 9007.
– Red Bus no. 2500, 9401, 9701, M4101, M4102, M4108, 5115.
Other Market in Seoul
Hongdae Free Market
Credit to @ginomempin
Hongdae is a neighborhood of youth filled with market and store in seoul. with romantic ambience, and surround with well designed cafe, accessory stores, fashion and clubs. If you are cafe hopper or beer lovers, night life party goers, dance clubber, then you must visit this place. as this place features many great cafe, and nightlife facilities.
Every Saturday from March to November, local artists, performers, and even musicians get together to form this unique Hongdae Free market, offering handmade arts and crafts and unique entertainment performances to the crowd. The best part about Hongdae Free market is the relaxed atmosphere that lets visitors engage with the local vendors and performers and get to know their stories and the background of their products.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2 325 8553
Address: 04041 19-3 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get here:
[Subway]
Hongik University Station (Seoul subway line 2), exit 8 or 9.
Insadong Street
Credit to @Sumi_chip_
Insadong is the best market and store in seoul when comes to find souvenir or traditional korean goods and fine art such as paintings to sculptures. There is about 100 galleries inside this area and a lot of market and store, including teahouses and restaurants accompany this galleries.
Insadong is a busy district of Seoul, Korea that has a long history as a market area. It is regarded as a place where the present and the past meet, and things to do in Insadong include a full list of attractions and activities.
The Insadong neighbourhood has historic buildings and temples as well as more modern constructions. The lively district has demonstrations and dances happening regularly.
Remember Insadong as your first option when you’re looking for market and store to buy souvenir to bring back to your country. Other than that, you can also enjoy parks and tea at the nearby tea shops and museums here.
Useful Informations:
Contact: +82 2 120
Address: 03145 39-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get here:
[Subway]
-Anguk Station (Seoul subway line 3), exit 6 then go 100m stratight then turn left.
– Jonggak Station (Seoul subway line 1), Exit 3 then go straight 300,, and turn left at the 4-way intersection, then go straight 100m and take left road toward Insadong-gil road.
[Bus]
-Get off at Anguk station, Jongno police office, or Insa-dong bus stop.
– Green bus: 7025
– Blue bus: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 601.
Have you ever visited one of this market in seoul? Which one you love the most? let us know in the comment section below!
Notes: in case you have no idea about what to do in Seoul, check this out.
