Gwangjang Market — the food market
Gwangjang is Seoul's most famous traditional market for food, and one of the oldest markets in the city. It's the single best place to eat your way through Korean street food in one sitting — bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (bite-sized seaweed rice rolls), and a dense cluster of stalls specializing in raw fish and other traditional dishes. Go hungry and go with a small group so you can order more dishes to share.
Dongdaemun Market — the shopping and night market
A massive wholesale and retail district that's been Seoul's fashion manufacturing hub for decades, now spread across multiple towering shopping malls plus street-level stalls. Much of it operates late into the night, catering originally to wholesale buyers, which means it's one of the few places in the city where serious shopping is still happening at 2am. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a striking Zaha Hadid-designed building nearby, hosts markets, exhibitions, and events worth combining with a visit.
Namdaemun Market — the everyday market
Korea's oldest and largest traditional market, a short walk from Myeongdong, selling everything from clothing and kitchenware to street food, at generally lower prices than the more tourist-facing Myeongdong strip nearby. Less curated for visitors than Gwangjang, which is part of its appeal if you want a market that still primarily serves locals.
| Market | Go for | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Gwangjang | Street food | Lunch through early evening |
| Dongdaemun | Fashion, late-night shopping | Evening into the night |
| Namdaemun | Everyday goods, lower prices | Daytime |