Gwangjang Market, Traditional market in Jongno District, South Korea.
Gwangjang Market is a large trading center in Jongno District containing thousands of shops that sell street food, textiles, handicrafts, and Korean products spread across multiple levels. The different sections are organized by type of goods, with food vendors on lower areas and specialty textile dealers on upper floors.
The market was founded in 1905 by Korean investors as an alternative to the Japanese-controlled Namdaemun Market and was originally called Dongdaemun Market. Its creation reflected efforts to maintain local economic independence during a period of foreign influence.
The upper level brings together vendors specializing in silk and bedding, where couples preparing for weddings choose traditional household textiles and wedding items. This section reflects local customs around marriage preparation that remain part of daily life here.
The market is conveniently located near Jongno 5-ga Station and is easily accessible by public transportation. Food vendors operate in the evening while clothing shops follow different hours, so planning your visit around what you want to see is helpful.
At many stalls, vendors prepare bindaetteok fresh by grinding mung beans right in front of customers before cooking them into pancakes. This traditional Korean dish comes together quickly and you can watch the entire process unfold.
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