Gwangjang Market, Traditional market in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Gwangjang Market is a covered marketplace in the Jongno district of Seoul, South Korea, selling food, textiles, clothing, and household goods across many stalls. Different sections of the building are dedicated to groceries, ready-to-eat dishes, fabric, and secondhand clothing.
The market was founded in 1905 by local investors who set up the Gwangjang Corporation to create a Korean-run trading space. It is considered one of the first large markets in Korea to be independently managed by Koreans rather than foreign interests.
The upper floors are known for their vendors selling silk and fabric for traditional Korean wedding garments. Many families return here for each major life event, making the place part of a continuing personal tradition.
The market is open daily and most vendors start early in the morning. Going in the first half of the day gives you more room to move and a better chance to eat without waiting long.
Mayak gimbap, the small rice rolls sold here, take their name from the Korean word for narcotics because they are said to be so good that people cannot stop eating them. Bindaetteok, the mung bean pancakes also prepared here, follow a recipe that vendors have been using and passing down since the market opened.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
