Final Up to date on 1st July 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau
This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Please take a look at my privateness coverage and disclosure for extra info.
Actually a feast for the senses! Gwangjang Market is a conventional, bustling and vibrant avenue market within the Jongon District of Seoul, South Korea. The primary and oldest everlasting market of the nation to exist, right this moment it’s dwelling to over 5,000 outlets and 20,000 staff. Right here’s your information on find out how to go to Gwangjang Market, 광장시장 and what to eat!
A historical past of Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market’s origins are strongly linked to what’s now referred to as South Korea’s largest market, Namdaemun Market, 남대문시장.
When the Gabo Reforms (a reform launched by Korea’s authorities) meant that loads of native store house owners and retailers misplaced enterprise, King Gojong gathered a gaggle and began a market referred to as Changnaejang (which might later change into Namdaemun Market).
Nevertheless, when Korea was below Japanese colonial occupation, Japan took management of Namdaemun market. So, in response to thism, a gaggle of personal Korean traders and rich retailers determined to create a market of their very own. Buying land for 100,000 gained, the foundations of Gwangjang Market had been laid.
The market was beforehand referred to as Dongdaemun Market, 동대문시장, a small conventional avenue market located within the Jongon District of Seoul in South Korea, it was first established in July 1905, as the primary avenue market to change into a everlasting fixture, opening each day.
In 1960 the market was renamed Gwangjang Market, 광장시장, which seems to have many doable meanings. The formal identify comes from the 2 bridges the market was constructed between, Gwangkyo (광교,”huge bridge”) and Jangkyo (장교, “lengthy bridge”).
Nevertheless, it’s additionally mentioned that Gwangjang interprets as “to assemble from afar and hold altogether”, which appears becoming.
Within the earlier years, the market completely bought agricultural and seafood merchandise and was a small buying and selling centre. Quickly rising over time, right this moment it is likely one of the largest markets in South Korea and sells an enormous array of issues from vegetables and fruit, meats, fish, baked items, textiles, handicrafts, souvenirs, and conventional Korean medicinal objects.
Recognition of the market notably grew after that includes in a number of common Netflix TV exhibits together with, ‘Operating Man’ and ‘Road Meals: Asia’. This full of life and bustling place is so common actually, that it’s been recorded roughly 65,000 folks go to the market every day!
When is one of the best time to go to?
If there’s one factor it’s best to know earlier than visiting Gwangjang Promote it’s that it’s all the time busy. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you go, it’s prone to be fairly crowded.
That being mentioned, if visiting for food and drinks, a go to within the morning may be the most effective methods to begin your day, choosing up contemporary produce! And, a go to through the night time gives a convivial environment.
Probably the most crowded instances to keep away from if you want a quieter go to are usually between 12 PM – 3 PM when it’s the lunch rush, and the market is very busy on Saturdays.
Meals to attempt at Gwangjang Market
In relation to selecting meals at Gwangjang Market you’re spoilt for alternative! A rush to the senses in sight, odor and sounds, it may be overwhelming to take all of it in. Learn on to see the most well-liked delicacies which might be generally bought by the meals distributors of the market.
Savoury meals to attempt on the market:
Probably the most well-known avenue meals snack that’s seemingly bought essentially the most throughout the stalls all through the market is Bindaetteok (see beneath).
- Bindaetteok – Mung bean pancakes, usually served with a spicy dipping sauce.
- Tteokbokki – Spicy rice muffins, it is a notably common Korean avenue meals!
- Gimbap – Korean seaweed rice roll, full of a wide range of tasty fillings.
- Gohyang Kalguksu – A light-weight and refreshing soup dish of handmade knife-cut-noodles, broth and different substances (that is usually thought-about a seasonal dish and is usually seen through the summer season months).
- Eomukguk – Fish cake soup, a sizzling and comforting broth which is likely one of the most traditional Korean avenue meals dishes.
- Sannakji – Reside octopus! This Korean delicacy is just not for the faint-hearted… referred to as a child octopus due to their dimension, this small octopus species known as nakji in Korean.
- Mayak Gimbap – Thought-about to be so addictive, the identify of this meals interprets to ‘narcotic rice rolls’, historically full of carrots, radish, and sautéed spinach.
- Mandu – Korean dumplings which may be eaten merely steamed, or accompanied in a broth or soup. The most well-liked fillings on the market are both minced pork or kimchi.
- Ssondae – Korean blood sausage, (just like that of black pudding or haggis) this sausage is comprised of pig’s blood blended with both rice or noodles.
- Buchimgae – These are savoury pancakes, fried, reduce up after which served with a dipping sauce. A preferred flavour is chive and kimchi!
- Gejang – Uncooked crab marinated in soy sauce.
- Korean Scorching Canine – Not too removed from the recent canine you in all probability know, Korean Scorching Canines are an excellent common quick meals, the place the sausage is wrapped and fried in panko crumbs.
- Rooster ft or pigs trotters – This may appear tremendous unusual, however is a very talked-about avenue snack in South Korea. Normally chopped up, marinated and coated in sesame seeds.
Candy meals to attempt on the market:
Many of the candy treats are dough-based, with sticky syrup generally used as the primary flavouring.
- Hotteok – Candy pancakes that originated in China and had been delivered to South Korea within the nineteenth century. They’re usually full of a candy syrup.
- Kkwabaegi – This pleasant dessert is understood in English as ‘twisted Korean doughnut’ because of its form. A deep-fried fritter of twisted dough coated in sugar.
- Hodugwaja – Generally translated as ‘walnut cookies’, this candy deal with originated from Cheonan, South Korea.
- Ppopgi/Dalgona – A Korean sweet, nearly the identical as honeycomb, this candy deal with is made with melted sugar and baking soda. It has been a well-liked avenue deal with because the Nineteen Sixties.
Drinks to attempt on the market:
In fact, there are additionally some attention-grabbing drinks you shouldn’t miss out on when visiting the market. One explicit stall to notice is Ilho Espresso, which boasts as the most effective espresso outlets not simply out there, however in all of Seoul!
- Smoothies / contemporary fruit juices – One of the vital tempting sorts of stalls within the market is the extremely vibrant and vibrant array of fruits on show, most of which is able to provide to mix and blitz them right into a refreshing smoothie!
- Boricha – Often known as Korean barely tea, this barely candy and nutty tea is comprised of roasted barley and water, it’s usually served through the colder months. Caffeine-free, Koreans additionally swear by the very fact it aids digestion and relieves constipation.
- Beer – Particularly if visiting for a late lunch or dinner, it’s an excellent alternative to pattern some native beer! Generally known as maekju in Korean, the 2 fundamental manufacturers that dominated the beer scene in South Korea are: Hite-Jinro and OB, however you’ll find smaller manufacturers too.
- Makgeolli – Regardless of its unassuming look, that is an alcoholic beverage (6-9% ABV) a milky off-white, barely glowing rice wine that has each a chalky look and mouth really feel.
- Soju – Soju means “burned liquid”, referring to the method through which it’s made. The Korean model of Russia’s vodka, this clear distilled spirit has a a lot decrease ABV (generally) various from about 12.5% to 53% ABV, and is usually comprised of rice.
Classic Procuring
Though it must be mentioned the market is most famed for its scrumptious meals (and also you’re prone to discover higher classic purchasing elsewhere!), it’s value taking a peek across the classic trend, retro furnishings and different treasures accessible on the market. There are additionally model new wares on the market.
When is the market open?
Gwangjang Market is formally open in its entirety each day from 8:30 AM – 6 PM, and the meals distributors will normally keep open till 11 PM (although this will range relying on what number of gross sales they’re making).
Nevertheless, stalls that don’t want the early hours of enterprise might open a little bit later than said. And, you might also discover that loads of stalls are closed on a Sunday or Monday, so if visiting on as of late you may need extra of a restricted choice/alternative.
Learn how to get to Gwangjang Market
To get to the market by public transport, you’ll be able to take the metro to both Jongno 5-ga Station (line 1) or Euljiro 4-ga Station (line 2 or 5) from every station it’s a really brief stroll to achieve Gwangjang Market. There are additionally a number of bus routes which is able to take you there.
Prime tip: Google Maps is just not optimised for South Korea, so that you gained’t have the ability to use it for strolling round. Whereas you need to use Maps for public transportation, there will probably be no strolling instructions. Due to this fact, you’ll need to obtain Naver Maps, which is the native maps app.
Loved studying about Gwangjang Market and find out how to go to? Pin this text now, and skim it once more later:
