Korea’s traditional markets have become must-see destinations thanks to the spread of Korean culture, food, and products across the world. You can buy cheap treats, stock up on Korean ginseng, bulk buy quality cosmetics, and relax with a bowl of something yummy in the surrounds of a bustling, active market. For a glimpse into the real life of a Korean city, you should definitely visit one of these markets.

The best thing about visiting a traditional market in Seoul or other cities is that you can find a wide variety of traditional and modern goods at lower prices than you’ll find in shops and department stores. If you’re a foodie, you can save a lot by eating out in places like Seoul’s Gwangjang Market and try incredible Korean dishes you’ve probably never even heard of but will fall in love with instantly.

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Top 10 Traditional Markets In Korea

Korea is a modern and forward-looking country with high-tech products and transport improving every year. However, it’s also a country that values its connections to the past and maintains traditional areas where people can experience a way of life that has been around for generations. One such place which highlights Korea’s past mixing with its present is at a Korean traditional market.

Korea’s traditional markets are great if you live in Korea as you can find cheap fruit and veg as well as cheap eats for when you’re hungry. For tourists, they’re a window into Korea’s past and an opportunity to go bargain hunting, try traditional Korean foods, and stock up on souvenirs, Korean goods, cosmetics, and lots more. They’re also interesting places to walk through to experience real Korean culture.

Here are the top 10 traditional markets in Korea I think you should visit:

1: Namdaemun Market In Seoul

Why visit this market: Namdaemun Market (남대문시장) is the largest traditional market in Korea, with thousands of stores selling everything from fresh produce and Korean street food to handicrafts and traditional medicines. With over 600-years of history, this is the perfect place to experience real Korean market life and to buy authentic Korean goods or souvenirs to take home.

What to buy: This traditional market in Seoul has it all, from fashion to foods, fabrics, face masks, and more. There are many zones in the market catering to different needs. If you want to pick up some healthy Korean ginseng, Namdaemun Market is the best place to find it at a good price. Worried about taking your purchases home? There’s even a suitcase section in case you need extra luggage.

As this is a traditional market for Seoulites, not just tourists, you’ll find plenty of common household goods and traditional foods and medicines, but these tend to be in the downstairs areas in the market. Tourist-friendly goods are on the street level, including Korean clothes and accessories, souvenirs, and tasty treats. I recommend heading into the downstairs markets as you’ll see interesting sights.

What to eat: Although nearby Myeongdong has some of Seoul’s best street food, you should definitely try the dishes available in Namdaemun Market. There’s all the street food favourites on offer, such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), and kkochi (skewers).

Make sure you try traditional Korean dishes such as kalguksu (칼국수), a hearty bowl of knife-cut noodles and one of my favourite traditional Korean dishes. You can also find galchi jorim (갈치조림) for sale in Namdaemun Market, which is a spicy braised cutlassfish stew.

Tip for this market: Haggling is accepted but expect the market vendors to drive a hard bargain. Take your time to shop around for the best prices and try not to accept the first price offered.

2: Gwangjang Market In Seoul

Why visit this market: Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is one of the most famous traditional markets in Seoul thanks to the Netflix show, ‘Street Food Asia‘, although it was popular long before then. This is the oldest permanent market in Korea, established in 1905, and one of the largest with over 5,000 stalls above and below ground. The best part about this market is definitely the food.

What to buy: Gwangjang Market is the place to go in Seoul if you want to buy your own hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing that you’ll see people wearing around the royal palaces in Seoul. There’s a wide selection of hanbok shops where you can get your own custom-made hanbok prepared for you to take home or sent to you by post. There are many traditional Korean clothes and crafts here.

What to eat: Without a doubt, Gwangjang Market is the number one place to go in Seoul if you want to experience eating Korean food at a traditional market. You’ll find dozens of vendors selling all sorts of foods, including sundae (blood sausage), bibimbap (mixed rice with veg), gimbap (rice roll), and mandu (dumplings). Just grab a seat and point to whatever you want to eat.

If you want a cosy dining experience, I recommend squeezing into one of the narrow restaurants opposite the main food stalls and ordering a plate of bindaetteok 빈대떡 (mung bean pancake) with a bowl of makgeolli 막걸리 (rice wine). The tables are squashed together and usually packed, you might be sharing a table with others, but the food and wine is so good you won’t even notice.

Tips for visiting this market: Sit down and get a meal of bindaetteok and makgeolli in the small restaurants around the centre of the market. Order the mixed pancake set to try the various flavours and get a bottle of makgeolli to wash it down. It’s a great combo.

3: Seoul Folk Flea Market In Seoul

Why visit this market: The Seoul Folk Flea Market (서울 풍물시장) is not your average Korean traditional market. This unique space is dedicated to folk items from across Korea and retro items you won’t find elsewhere. Modernised in 2008, this market was originally a collection of stalls by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, but is now housed in a new building with restaurants, goods, and more inside.

What to buy: The Seoul Folk Flea Market is like a labyrinth, with long aisles packed full of interesting and unique goods to pick up and wonder at. You’ll find retro and vintage goods (1F) along with more modern market goods (2F), souvenirs, traditional goods, and traditional foods.

Unlike other traditional markets in Korea, you can find real history inside that you can take home and show your friends. There’s also a load of junk, but one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. The Seoul Folk Flea Market has 7 different coloured zones to help you find what you’re looking for. They are:

What to eat: There are plenty of traditional Korean dishes available at all traditional markets in Korea, and the Seoul Folk Flea Market is no exception. Try a big bowl of mandu guk (dumpling soup), kalguksu, or juk (porridge) to warm you up on a cold day. They’re good any time of year though, so don’t pass up the chance to have a cheap and delicious traditional meal here.

Tips for visiting this market: There really is something for everyone, even those who are just looking to take a snapshot of Korean history. Go for the retro and vintage items, sample some delicious traditional foods, and maybe find a rare treasure to take home with you.

4: Noryangjin Fish Market In Seoul

Why visit this market: Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산물도매시장) is a working fish market and a great place to sample some of Korea’s best seafood, freshly caught and sold that day. Operating since 1927 near Seoul Station, but later moved to more modern facilities next to Noryangjin Station, this market provides 50% of Seoul’s seafood.

What to see: Opening from 1:30am, early birds can discover the hidden world of Seoul’s fish markets, including the early morning deliveries and sorting. The best time to visit is from 3:00am when the live fish auctions happen each day. These are a spectacle in themselves and you might be able to pick out what you want to eat for breakfast.

Wander down long aisles alive (literally) with fresh squid, octopus, shellfish, urchins, and all other kinds of seafood. You’ll be astounded by all the weird and wonderful sights that you probably didn’t know existed under the sea. I was certainly shocked the first time I visited a traditional Korean fish market.

What to eat: The seafood sold at the fish auctions at Noryangjin will find their way into various dishes, such as jjukkumi 쭈꾸미 (baby octopus), maeuntang 매운탕 (spicy fish broth), and haemul pajeon 해물 파전 (seafood and green onion pancake). There’s also crab, lobster, and hoe 회 (fresh raw fish) prepared in the market for your breakfast. A great start to the day and very healthy.

Tips for visiting this market: This bustling, stinky, wet, fresh market will provide a wonderfully unique experience during a stay in Seoul but getting there for the fish auctions can be hard. I recommend staying somewhere close, such as Hongdae, and then taking a taxi to the market in the morning.

5: Tongin Market In Seoul

Why visit this market: Seoul’s traditional markets have great food and Tongin Market (통인시장) is no exception, but the food here is served in a different way from the other markets. At Tongin Market you can buy a lunch box, or doshirak in Korean, to fill up with your favourite snacks from select vendors throughout the market. A lunch box costs ₩5,000 and is a great way to sample Seoul’s street food.

Tongin Market, which started in 1941, is famous for these lunch boxes as the area was previously home to Japanese residents who were used to buying bento boxes (Japanese lunch boxes). Decades later, the market is home to many restaurants and shops, dozens of them participating in the unique lunch box program. There are also market goods available to buy between the stalls.

What to buy: One of the main draws of this market is the lunch box program, which runs every day except Monday. Pay the cost of the lunch box and you’ll receive a plastic lunch box and a collection of gold coins to use to pay for foods throughout the market. Each item costs a number of coins and you can buy foods from participating stalls with signs saying “gamaengjom” (가맹점).

What to eat: With over 70 stalls to choose from, each selling a wide range of delicious Korean street food snacks or meals, there’s something for everyone. I recommend trying some mandu 만두 (dumplings), tteokbokki 떡볶이 (spicy stir-fried rice cakes), and flame cooked dakkochi 닭꼬치 (chicken skewers). After you’ve made your purchases, take a seat on the benches in the market.

Tips for visiting this market: This market is west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, but often overlooked as people head to Bukchon Hanok Village and other sights east of the palace. It’s not the first traditional market in Seoul you should see, but if you have enough time, add Tongin Market to your itinerary as well as the nearby Cheong Wa Dae (President’s Blue House).

6: Nambu Traditional Market In Jeonju

Why visit this market: There’s more to Jeonju than the historic Jeonju Hanok Village, which you can see on a day trip from Seoul, including Jeonju’s lively traditional market – Nambu Market (전주 남부시장). Nambu Market has existed for over 100 years, however, it wasn’t until 2011, and the addition of the Youth Mall, that Nambu Market really became a hot spot in the centre of Jeonju.

Other special features of this market are the weekly night markets, held on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:00pm to 11:00pm in winter (12:00am in summer). You’ll find many street food stalls and vendors catering to people who want to enjoy a night out in the town. It’s similar to Myeongdong’s night markets, but you can also see live performances and cultural shows around the market.

What to buy: You can find a range of typical goods for sale that you’d find in Seoul’s traditional markets, such as snacks, local produce, food, accessories, home goods, and lots more. However, for tourists, the Youth Mall section might offer more interesting shops and sights, including locally made handicrafts, souvenirs, and interesting knick-knacks that Koreans love to collect and display.

The Youth Mall is run by local young entrepreneurs and is housed in the previously abandoned second floor of the market. It adds youthful charm, design, and culture to this historic area and is now often compared with the likes of Hongdae in Seoul. You can find some great food, clothes, and creative goods in the Youth Market, as well as artistic displays on the walls and in shops.

What to eat: Jeonju is known as the food capital of Korea, just like Osaka is in Japan There are many wonderful foods you can try at this traditional market, such as sundae gukbap 순대국밥 (blood sausage soup with rice), kongnamul gukbap 콩나물 국밥 (bean sprout soup with rice) and pat kalguksu 팥칼국수 (red bean noodle soup). Check out the Youth Mall for more modern dining options and bars.

Tips for visiting this market: As Jeonju is home to Jeonju bibimbap 비빔밥 (mixed rice with vegetables), you certainly shouldn’t waste the chance to try one of Korea’s most famous traditional foods in the city that does it best.

7: Jagalchi Market In Busan

Why visit this market: Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장) is one of several traditional markets in the downtown Nampo area of Busan and one that will make you feel like the sea has come to you. This is Busan’s main fish market (and Korea’s biggest) and the best place to try fresh Korean seafood. Like Noryangjin Market in Seoul, you’ll find a wide selection of the sea’s harvest for sale here.

What to buy: The main thing for sale at this traditional market is of course seafood in all shapes and sizes. There’s everything from shrimp to squid, octopus to oysters, and all else that hangs around under the sea. You’ll find Korea’s seafood delicacies for sale in the market, as well as outside the market in the many seafood restaurants selling Busan’s best local dishes, such as octopus tentacles.

You can buy freshly sliced fish, usually served as thin slices to be dipped in soy sauce like Japanese sashimi, or you can buy seafood to take home and prepare there. If you don’t want to take it home, then you can get it prepared and served in one of the market’s restaurant instead. Or you could just visit one of the many seafood restaurants nearby and see what they have to offer.

What to eat: If you have the courage, why not try some nakji 낙지 (octopus tentacles) or even sannakji 산낙지 (raw / live octopus tentacles)? For those who are less brave, consider some maeuntang 매운탕 (spicy fish soup). You won’t find a shortage of places selling these nearby. Popular seafood offerings are mackerels, sea squirt, and lobster. There’s a seafood buffet if you’re really hungry, too.

Tips for visiting this market: For those who don’t much enjoy the taste of seafood (I understand you!), there are plenty of other markets and restaurants nearby. However, I’d still recommend checking out this sprawling market just for the unique sights, sounds, and, most overwhelmingly, the smells.

8: Gukje Market In Busan

Why visit this market: Situated in the same part of Busan as Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market (국제시장) offers visitors a more traditional Korean market experience with an international twist. This market is located close to many other popular sights in Busan, such as Bosu-dong Book Alley, BIFF Square, Busan Tower, and Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street, so you can see lots from here.

This is Busan’s largest traditional market and despite the typical sights like stalls full of Korean herbs and spices, clothes, and Korean dishes, you can also find a lot of international goods here. Gukje Market was established in the 1950s by Korean war refugees and has benefited from Busan’s status as a port city, which see many international sailors, travellers, and expats visiting the market.

What to buy: This market has a wide range of traditional Korean goods, such as foods, snacks, handicrafts, medicines, and everyday stuff Korean people need. There are many small boutique stalls squeezed in among the traditional goods where you can find interesting souvenirs, books, stationery, gifts, accessories, and sweet treats, Be sure to pick some up to take home with you.

What to eat: You can’t shop in Gukje Market without sampling some unique market foods! Gukje Market has some of Busan’s finest local dishes, such as bibim dangmyeon 비빔당면 (spicy glass noodles), yubu jeongol 유부 전골 (fried tofu stew), and ssiat hotteok 씨앗호떡 (seed-stuffed sweet pancake). This area is famous for eomuk (fish cakes), be sure to try those from the street food stalls, too.

Tips for visiting this market: Mix up a day exploring this historic area of Busan with a trip to the nearby Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Jeoryeong Coastal Walk, and an afternoon staring out at the sea from the Taejongdae Resort Park. Or visit those places first to avoid walking with shopping bags.

9: Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market On Jeju Island

Why visit this market: If you make your way down to Jeju, then you really should check out Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (서귀포매일 올레시장) in Jeju’s second largest city, Seogwipo. This market caters to Korean tourists more than international tourists, as well as locals, and you can find some of Jeju Island’s incredible delicacies here, including the large hallabong orange (and other citrus) during winter.

This market feels less touristy and isn’t as crowded as the markets in Seoul and Busan. If you want to take your time to stroll through the shops, buy some cute Jeju souvenirs, taste fresh seafood, citrus, and other local delights, then Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is the place for you. I love to stock up on foods from the market before travelling out of Seogwipo to hike or see the beaches of Jeju.

What to buy: Jeju Island is easily Korea’s most beautiful destination for nature lovers and thanks to the volcanic eruptions from Hallasan Mountain, it’s a place that’s very fertile and grows many delicious crops. Therefore, you should definitely pick up some fresh fruit while you’re at the market, such as hallabong orange, kiwis, avocados, passion fruit and even tropical dragon fruit.

Besides the fruits of the land, you’ll find many fruits of the sea for sale at Seogwipo Market, including freshly sliced raw fish, juicy shrimp, sea squirts, and octopus. For tourists, you’ll find the traditional markets are the best place to get great souvenirs of Jeju Island, such as chocolates with unique Jeju flavours (cactus, tangerine, green tea), local cosmetics, and the best green tea in Korea.

What to eat: If you want to try authentic Jeju Island street food, then buy a bag of dol hareubang manju 돌 하르방 만쥬 (small pastries shaped like the Jeju stone statues). Also known as Jeju Grandpas, these little cakes are delicious snacks filled with Jeju Island’s own hallabong 한라봉 (sweet tangerine). You’ll find stalls selling fresh hallabong juice with the bottle shaped like the iconic stone statues, too.

If you want something more filling, you can buy freshly caught fish and seafood that’s ready to eat. This is perfect if you want to have a quiet meal in your hotel or sitting down by the harbour watching the boats. There are other Jeju Island snacks here, too, such as black pork (흑돼지) buns and egg-wrapped gimbap, and the usual market foods like fried chicken, tteokbokki, and skewers.

Tips for visiting this market: There’s a really nice bar near the market called Jeju Beer Fountain (제주약수터) which sells locally brewed beers, including some very interesting tastes made with local products like a Jeju tangerine raddler. These beers are only available as takeout, which makes them perfect for drinking in your hotel room with some freshly sliced fish from the market.

10: Seomun Market In Daegu

Why visit this market: Last, but not least on this list of traditional markets in Korea is Seomun Market (서문시장) in Daegu. Steeped in history, this market has its roots as one of the three main markets during the Joseon Dynasty that ruled Korea for more than 500 years. These days, the market is as popular as ever and draws big crowds on the weekends for the Seomun Night Market.

Thanks to Seomun Market’s central location, you can explore the other sights of Daegu. such as to the Daegu Gyesan Catholic Church and the Missionary Houses to learn about Daegu’s tragic past. There’s also a tourist street through the city to the Hyangchong Cultural Centre, all about Korea’s recent history. This place is great for dressing up in classic Korean clothes of the early 20th Century.

What to buy: Seomun Market specialises in fabrics, including silk, satin, knitted goods, accessories, and clothes. However, you’ll also find a lot more to buy, such as fresh foods, jewellery, watches, and dried seafood. At Seomun Night Market, which opens until 11:30pm, you’ll find start-up shops for young designers, fusion food with unique takes on Korean food, and live music on certain nights.

What to eat: If you want a traditional food experience, you’ll love the sujebi 수제비 (hand-pulled dough soup) that is made right in front of you. There are also freshly cut bowls of kalguksu, mandu 만두 (dumplings) and a popular dish across Korea, the ubiquitous eomug guk 어묵국 (fish cake soup).

Tips for visiting this market: You can see many of Daegu’s central sights in one day and Seomun Market is the perfect place to start your adventure. Take a bus (#425 / #651) from Dong Daegu Station directly to the market and then walk back through the city’s historic areas on the way back to the station. There are several walking paths through the city and they’re well signposted.

Why Myeongdong Market Isn’t On This List

When people talk about traditional markets in Seoul they might think of Myeongdong Market, which is famous for its delicious street food, cheap accessory and fashion stalls, and shops selling Korean cosmetics like face masks. However, this isn’t really what a Korean traditional market is about and Myeongdong is really more of an outdoor market to cater to the tourists flocking to this area.

Even though Myeongdong Market doesn’t make it on my list of the best traditional markets in Seoul, it’s still a must-see place in Seoul for the hustle and bustle of the night markets, the food vendors, and the busy streets. If you want to stay in Seoul, booking a hotel in Myeongdong is a great option as it’s close to all the action of Myeongdong, as well as traditional markets like Namdaemun Market.

What’s The Best Traditional Market In Seoul?

If I had to choose just one traditional market in Seoul to recommend to travellers, I would probably choose Gwangjang Market for the simple fact that it has an incredible selection of street food and small restaurants to dine in. Seoul has many traditional markets besides the ones previously mentioned in this article, and they all offer an interesting look into local culture and products.

Namdaemun Market is slightly bigger and perhaps has a wider selection of goods available, but it’s also quite spread out with many small streets to explore and feels like you’re in a maze at times. In comparison, Gwangjang Market feels more compact, with a central area selling lots of different dishes and small streets leading off from there. It’s easier to explore and see everything without getting lost.

The best traditional market in Seoul changes for each person. If you’re a vintage lover, you’re sure to love Seoul Folk Flea Market’s retro goods. If you want fashion bargains and accessories, Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun’s markets and malls will leave you broke and with full bags of fashionable goods. There are also loads of smaller traditional markets throughout the city to discover.

Tours To Korea’s Traditional Markets

Not sure what to do at one of Korea’s traditional markets, what you should try, or need help finding the best things to eat and buy? Then why not book a tour to one of Korea’s traditional markets in Seoul or Busan and enjoy the experience without the worries. Here are a few market tours you might enjoy:

Seoul: Gwangjang Market Unique Food Tour: Experience Korean cuisine at Gwangjang Market, a historic and lively traditional market in Seoul. As one of Seoul’s top traditional markets, this tour offers a chance to try unique Korean dishes while surrounded by the market’s vibrant atmosphere.

Seoul: Traditional Market Walking Tour & Korean Cooking Class: Join a hands-on cooking class to create a delicious Korean home meal using ingredients from Gyeongdong & Yangnyeong Markets and gain insights into Korean food culture as you shop for fresh food and learn traditional recipes.

Seoul: Korean Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience: Visit Mangwon Market to select fresh ingredients and sample street food before learning to prepare a traditional Hanjeongsik, a full-course meal featuring over 10 dishes. You’ll even learn some useful Korean phrases on this tour.

Busan: Jagalchi Fish Market & Korean Food Market Tour with Local Chef: Explore the world of Korean cuisine through a walking tour of Busan’s iconic traditional markets, including Jagalchi Market & Gukje Market and try representative Busan delicacies, such as live octopus, dried seafood, and fish cakes.

Korean Market Food You Must Try

Whichever traditional market you choose in Seoul or Korea, be sure to try some of the delicious traditional Korean foods available – both street food snacks and full meals. These foods are usually cheaper in the markets than places like Myeongdong and even cheaper than most restaurants.

Here are 10 awesome Korean street foods to try at traditional markets in Korea. If you want to know more about each one, check out my article about Korean street foods.

For a more filling meal at a traditional market, check out these 10 mouth watering and stomach filling traditional Korean dishes. Again, to find out more about these dishes, be sure to read my article about the best Korean traditional dishes you must try in Korea:

My tip – don’t be put off by the appearance of Korean food. It might look strange to you, but hiding underneath an unusual exterior, there’s a whole world of new tastes waiting for you to discover. And if something is red, watch out as it’s probably spicy!

How To Pay In Korea’s Traditional Markets

Korea strongly favours credit and debit cards to make payments, as well as mobile payments and bank transfers. Cash isn’t as commonly used these days, but one place you will most likely spend cash in Korea is in a traditional market or street market in Seoul. However, there are recent changes that encourage market vendors to accept cards in Seoul’s market, including 300 stalls in Myeongdong.

The easiest way to pay for goods in Korea’s markets is with cash. Korean money (Korean won) can be confusing as the numbers are very large compared to currencies such as the USD, SGD, or EUR. A street food snack might cost around 3,000 to 5,000 Korean won and a meal anywhere from 10,000 won and up. If in doubt, search for the exchange rate on Google to see how much things cost.

Learn more about how to pay for goods and services while you’re travelling in Korea with my essential guide to paying in Korea, which covers what cards are accepted and where, if you need cash, how to pay for public transport, and lots more. You’ll also find lots of money saving tips for visiting Korea.

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This article introduces the best street food in Seoul and where to try it. Discover why travellers flock to Myeongdong Street Food Alley, Hongdae’s food scene, Gwangjang Market, and other hot spots for street food in Seoul. There are some useful Korean phrases to help you order street food, too.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

The 30 Best Korean Street Food In Seoul

Not sure what street food snack to try first when you arrive in Seoul? Well, take a look at this list of the 30 best Korean street foods you’ll find in Seoul and take a note. The best thing – most of these street foods are really cheap, easy to find, and you can try snack on them as you explore Seoul’s streets.

Here are the 30 best Korean street foods in Seoul:

Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
Spicy Stir Fried Rice Cakes

The most famous of all Korean street food, tteokbokki is a must-try when you visit Seoul. Tteokbokki is a simple dish, but full of flavour and textures that are so rewarding together, especially on a cold day. It’s basically a big pot of sweet and spicy sauce with chewy rice cakes and a few slices of fish cake. Each tteokbokki stall has their own recipe, making their dish spicier or sweeter as their customers like it. Definitely grab a bowlful of tteokbokki and sample this classic Korean street food.

Gyeran-Ppang (계란빵)
Egg Bread

Gyeran-ppang is an iconic Korean street food that you’ll find in Myeongdong Street Food Alley and many other places. These eggy-delights are very straightforward – it’s an oval-shaped piece of bread with an egg dropped on top that’s baked on a hot plate. Gyeran-ppang are cheap and make a good breakfast or late-night snack when you’re out in Seoul. Just be careful when you eat them as the yellowy egg yolk is often runny.

Bungeo-Ppang (붕어빵)
Red Bean Goldfish Pastry

Bungeo-ppang are red bean filled pastries cooked in a special fish-shaped pan to give them an adorable look. This cute street food can be found all over Seoul’s street corners during the winter months when people need a sweet treat to heat them up. These are literally called ‘carp bread’ in Korean as it’s shaped like a carp. These street food snacks are cheap and can be snapped up for 2,000 won or less.

Gamja Hot Dogs (감자핫도그)
Korean-style Hot Dogs

A Korean street food classic that’s made waves around the world, gamja hot dogs (potato hot dogs) are a guilty pleasure for many in Seoul. Gamja hot dogs are based on corn dogs, but have taken them to a new level. Korean hot dogs have sausage and cheese inside and are coated in crispy breadcrumbs (panko). The hot dogs are deep fried until they’re crispy, then coated in sugar and tomato ketchup to give a sweet and savoury taste that’s irresistible.

Bindaetteok (빈대떡)
Mung Bean Pancakes

Bindaetteok are a Korean street food that are usually found in Seoul’s traditional markets, especially Gwangjang Market. These deceptively delicious pancakes are made with crushed mung beans that have added vegetables and sometimes meat. Bindaetteok are best when eaten fresh from the hot plate, dipped in a bowl of soy sauce, and accompanied with a bowl of plain makgeolli rice wine. It’s a real Korean experience you have to try.

Dakgangjeong (닭강정)
Sweet-Crispy Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken (the other KFC), is a popular indulgence on the weekend with a few cold beers and you’ll see many places serving chi-maek (chicken with beer) in Seoul. If you want to sample Korean fried chicken when you explore Myeongdong or Hongdae, try out a bowl (or bucket) of dakgangjeong. Discover amazing deep-fried chicken that’s covered in a uniquely Korean sweet-spicy-sticky sauce that’s finger-licking good!

Gilgeori Toast (길거리토스트)
Korean Street Toast

Gilgeori toast, which literally means ‘street vendor toast’ certainly doesn’t seem to be a traditional Korean snack, but it’s been around since the 1960s and remains incredibly popular as it’s cheap and filling. This street food snack is made with two slices of buttered bread that’s toasted until golden brown and then stuffed full with a variety of fillings, such as slices of ham, cheese, egg (scrambled), sliced veg, and even sweetcorn, all dressed in an unhealthy amount of sauce.

Dak-Kkochi (닭꼬치)
Skewered Chicken

There are several popular Korean street food snacks in Seoul that come on a skewer (kkochi), with the best of these being dak-kkochi. Dak-kkochi are typically made of alternating slices of chicken meat (dak) and spring onions (scallions). The dak-kkochi vendors put on the best performances among Seoul’s street food sellers, dancing with their handheld flame throwers while torching the chicken meat in front of you so it’s crispy and smoky.

So-Tteok So-Tteok (소떡소떡)
Sausage & Rice Cake Skewers

A plain yet delicious street food that’s popular with all ages in Korea is so-tteok so-tteok, which is a skewered snack made of chewy rice cakes (tteok) and mini Vienna sausages that are grilled and covered in various sauces. The rice cakes are the same as you get in tteokbokki, but they’re crispier as they’re grilled and not in a sauce, which is one of the best ways to eat them. So-tteok so-tteok make for a great snack in the morning or evening.

Eomuk / Odeng (어묵)
Fish Cakes Slices

An old-school Korean street food favourite that’s still popular all over Seoul with locals and tourists, eomuk is simply a thick-cut fish cake stuck on a long metal or wooden skewer. Eomuk are boiled in a salty broth that keeps them fresh and juicy and you usually get a cup of the broth to drink with the fish cake. These are also called ‘odeng’, based on the Japanese food ‘oden’, but Koreans are moving away from that name now.

Ramyeon (라면)
Instant Noodles

Ramyeon noodles are the go-to meal for students and budget travellers who want to try Korean street food in Seoul without breaking the bank. Street food vendors in Seoul often serve ramyeon in golden metal bowls and give you a portion of kimchi or cheese to add to it. You’ll find these places in traditional markets. A bowl of instant ramyeon can be added to many different traditional Korean meals, including tteokbokki, but is just as good by itself.

Grilled Cheese Lobster Tails
(치즈폭탄 랍스터 구이)

This is the most expensive street food in Seoul, but one that’s certainly worth trying if you’re hungry and visiting Myeongdong Street Food Alley. The soft, buttery lobster meat is cooked in the red lobster tail and stuffed with cheese. It’s flame-grilled by the street food vendors with a fiery torch that leaves the cheese crispy and the insides gooey and ready to eat. Scoop out the insides after posing for a photo with the most insta-worth street food in Seoul.

Sundae (순대)
Korean Sausage

Not to be confused with an ice cream sundae, Korean sundae (pronounced soon-dae) is a blood sausage that’s usually served in slices with a dipping salt. Sundae is a filling, meaty street food that’s perfect as a late night snack with a beer or a budget lunch. The main ingredients usually include pork, cellophane noodles, and rice, but regional variations might also include barley, kimchi, bean sprouts and perilla leaves. This is a salty dish, so make sure you have something to drink with it.

Hweori Gamja (회오리 감자)
Tornado Fries

Hweori Gamja, also called twisted potatoes or tornado fries, are a popular Korean street food that you’ll find in areas where young Koreans hang out like Myeongdong and Hongdae. Tornado fries were invented in Korea by Jeong Eun Suk and include a whole potato cut in a spiral and cooked on a skewer. You can add seasonings to the tornado fries, such as cheese, onion, or honey. They’re fun to eat as you walk around Seoul.

Twigim (튀김)
Korean Deep Fried Snacks

Twigim is the Korean word for ‘deep frying’ and this term relates to a collection of deep-fried foods coated in batter that are similar to Japanese tempura. In Korea, twigim street foods can include deep fried shrimp, pumpkin slices, peppers, perilla leaves, sweet potatoes, rice, and variety of other vegetables, fish and meat. When you get twigim as street food, you can pick your favourite deep-fried foods or order a mixed set called ‘modeum twigim’.

Gimbap (김밥)
Seaweed-wrapped Rice Roll

A classic Korean street food that provides millions of people in Korea with a cheap and filling street food snack or meal, gimbap is a dish made of filled rice wrapped in seaweed. There are dozens of varieties of gimbap, including tuna-mayo, battered shrimp, pork cutlet, beef, vegetables, scrambled eggs, fish cakes, and lots more. Gimbap, also called kimbap, are served in long rolls cut into slices or as small rolls that you eat individually (these are ggoma gimbap – little gimbap).

Guwun Garaetteok (구운 가래떡)
Korean Baked Rice Cake Bar

Rice cakes are found in many Korean street foods in Seoul, including tteokbokki and so-tteok so-tteok, but they are just as delicious when eaten by themselves, which is what you can do when you try guwun garaetteok. Garaetteok are long, cylindrical rice cakes that are soft and squidgy until they’re baked (guwun). Once baked, the garaetteok become crispy on the outside and chewy inside, making them a tasty treat that’s also healthy.

Mandu (만두)
Korean Dumplings

Mandu are Korean-style dumplings that are served steamed or fried and come with a range of fillings, including meat, kimchi, and shrimp. You can find mandu in Korean street food stalls in Myeongdong and Hongdae, as well as in traditional markets and you get around 5 mandu per portion. Steamed mandu shops are easily spotted due to the large clouds of steam billowing out from the front of the shop as mandu are being steamed and served.

Tanghuru (탕후루)
Sugar-Coated Fruits

A favourite of children in Seoul, tanghuru is a sweet Korean street food of fruits coated in rock sugar that give a crunchy bite of goodness. Various fruits can be used for tanghuru, but you’ll usually find bright red strawberries as they are the perfect size for skewering and snacking. The sugary coating is crunchy, not soft and sticky, which can be surprising when you first bite it. You’ll often find tanghuru stalls near the entrance to popular family-friendly attractions in Seoul.

Hotteok (호떡)
Korean Sweet Pancakes

Hotteok are crispy pancakes that are packed with ingredients that can include honey, seeds, nuts, and cinnamon. They’re the perfect winter Korean street food snack as the warm, gooey honey and other fillings heat you up instantly. The hotteok vendors stuff a ball of dough with the sweet filling, then fry it an on oily hot plate until it’s flat and crispy before folding it up and squeezing it into a paper cup to serve. Make sure to ask for a fresh hotteok so the insides are runny and hot.

Gun-Bam (군밤)
Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts, a popular street food snack in autumn and winter, are cooked in a large metal pan or spun in a metal oven until their shells crack, allowing you to eat the soft, smoky chestnuts inside. Roasted foods like this are common in Korea when it’s cold and provide a cheap snack for people who want a nutritious bite to eat, which you might need if you’ve only been eating tteokbokki for the rest of the time.

Gun-Goguma (군고구마)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Another roasted Korean street food that’s healthy, cheap, and filling is gun-goguma, or roasted sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are more common in Korea than regular potatoes and you’ll find vendors and convenience stores roasting these fresh. You can find them by following your nose to the smoky rocks that these sweet potatoes are roasted on. Peel away the skin and enjoy the soft insides.

Hodu-Gwaja (호두과자)
Walnut Cakes

Hodu-gwaja are bite-sized baked goodies that are made with crushed walnuts in the flour to give them a lovely, nutty texture. These walnut cakes are filled with the ever-popular red bean paste that’s at the centre of so many delicious Korean sweet treats. You’ll find these in Seoul in street corner carts where you can buy a bag with a dozen or more hodu-gwaja inside. Hodu-gwaja are perfect for snacking at any time.

Dalgona (달고나)
Korean Sugar Candy

Dalgona is a Korean sugar candy that was made famous internationally by the first season of Squid Game, but has been beloved in Korea for generations. You can buy this sugary snack from street food vendors who make it fresh and then print cute designs as it’s cooling. Dalgona used to be very cheap (1,000 KRW), but after the success of Squid Game, prices jumped and can be quite expensive (3,000 KRW+), especially in touristy areas.

Jjinppang (찐빵)
Korean Steamed Buns

Jjinppang, also known as hoppang, is a steamed bun that’s filled with sweet red bean paste and bits of broken up beans and best eaten fresh from the steamer where they’re kept warm. These white buns can also be filled with chocolate, cheese, meats, and more, but are most commonly filled with red beans. Jjinppang is a traditional Korean street food that’s similar to Chinese bao buns and these days are most commonly found inside convenience stores than on the street.

Kkwabaegi (꽈배기)
Twisted Korean Doughnuts

An old-school Korean street food that has long provided Korean children with a sweet, filling snack during their tough days of studying, kkwabaegi are similar to fried doughnuts but are long and twisted instead of round. Kkwabaegi are made from wheat or rice flour dough with melted butter, deep-fried in oil, and then dipped into trays of powdered sugar and cinnamon to give them a sweet coating. They’re one of the cheapest street foods in Seoul and go really well with a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Gukhwa-Ppang (국화빵)
Chrysanthemum Bread

Sweet red bean paste is found in many traditional Korean street food snacks, especially in baked goods. Gukhwa-ppang, or chrysanthemum bread due to their flowery design, is a flower-shaped bread that’s bursting with red bean paste and is a great winter warmer. Like a waffle, this snack is baked in a flower-shaped mould, trapping in and heating the red bean paste in the centre, waiting for you to discover it when you bite into it.

Kkul-Tarae (꿀타래)
Dragon’s Beard Candy

Dragon’s beard candy, known as kkul-tarae in Korea (honey-stein) or Korean court cake, is one of the most unique looking street foods in Seoul. The silky, hair-thin strands of honey-based candy that wrap the chewy insides are said to resemble a dragon’s beard when they get caught on your chin while eating these sweet snacks. These desserts aren’t that common in Seoul, but you can still find some vendors in the artistic Insadong area.

Ppeongtwigi (뻥튀기)
Korean Puffed Rice

Ppeongtwigi is a puffed grain snack that’s usually made from rice and corn and formed into round disks for snacking. Originally from the USA, the method of making puffed grains eventually ended up in Korea and became very popular in the early 20th Century. Puffed rice cakes are healthy snacks and you can buy big packets of them for a low price and in some places you can see them being shot out of the machine into a basket, ready to eat.

Beondegi (번데기)
Silkworm Pupae

Beondegi is a weird Korean food that will probably make tourists in Seoul curious or even squeamish. This smelly street food is simply boiled or steamed silkworm pupae scooped up into a paper cup and eaten with a toothpick. Koreans don’t eat many insects, but thanks to the health benefits from the high-quality, low-fat protein found in beondegi, these have remained popular. Be warned, the smell of these boiling bugs is quite strong and not that easy to digest.

Best Places To Try Korean Street Food In Seoul

There are many places to try Korean street food in Seoul, such as at traditional markets, food stalls, food markets, riverside parks, and outside popular attractions. You can find street food in every corner of Seoul, but the most convenient places are usually in touristy areas or in older parts of Seoul.

Street food vendors in Seoul work almost every day in traditional markets and street food stalls, but there are also weekend-only spots where food trucks descend in busy areas to feed hungry Seoulites. During festivals, such as spring cherry blossom festivals, you’ll also find temporary street food stalls.

Here are some of the best places to find street food in Seoul:

Myeongdong Street Food Alley & Night Markets

The most popular place to try Korean street food in Seoul has to be Myeongdong Street Food Alley. This wide street in central Seoul is lined with food stalls selling all kinds of traditional and modern street foods, including cheesy lobster tails, tornado fries, gyeran-ppang, and tteokbokki. The entrance to Myeongdong Street Food Alley is opposite the Lotte Department Store. Myeongdong’s markets spread across many streets and include street foods, souvenirs, cosmetics, and more.

Hongdae Shopping Street

Hongdae Shopping Street, which runs from Hongik University through the heart of Hongdae, is a great place to try modern Korean street food and enjoy the cool culture that this area is famous for. Munch on some fried chicken or hotteok while watching street performances in the evening, or get some tanghuru to go with your morning coffee. There are plenty of sweet treats to try in this area and it’s a great area to stay in Seoul.

Gwangjang Traditional Market

Gwangjang Traditional Market is Seoul’s most famous market for street food and was the star of the Netflix show Street Food. In the Seoul episode it showed bindaetteok from Gwangjang Market, which is definitely the best place in Seoul to try this satisfying street food. There’s a load of other delectable traditional street foods in Gwangjang Market, including sundae, mandu, ramyeon, and more. Don’t miss it.

Bukhansan National Park

If you plan to hike Seoul’s Bukhansan National Park, make sure you top up on some delicious street food snacks before you go to give you energy, including hotteok and garaetteok. You’ll find vendors selling freshly made gimbap at the park’s entrance, too, which is perfect to put in your backpack and bring with you and eat as you reach Baegundae Peak. There’s also tteokbokki and other traditional Korean street foods to try at the main park entrance.

Namdaemun Market

Another traditional market in Seoul with street food is Namdaemun Market, which opens from late morning until late at night. Namdaemun Market is often mistaken as Myeongdong Market as it’s very close and can be accessed from Hoehyeon Station, which is one stop before Myeongdong Station. This market is a bit more traditional than Myeongdong, so expect to find classic street foods such as hotteok, beondegi, kkwabaegi, and tteokbokki.

Insadong Art Street

Insadong Art Street is a fun area in central Seoul that’s close to several royal palaces, Jogyesa Temple, and other historic sights. The side streets in this area are full of traditional Korean restaurants and old wooden tea houses. However, the main street is a unique blend of Korean and international, with street food vendors selling dragon’s beard candy, Turkish ice creams, tteokbokki, and rice cakes.

Euljiro Neighbourhood

Euljiro, an area north of Myeongdong and around Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul, is packed with street food stalls, bars, and restaurants that are popular with locals and tourists alike. Head to Jonggak Avenue of Youth near Jonggak Station for a lively bar scene with street food vendors in the main street, or wander outside Euljiro 3-ga Station to see Euljiro Pojangmacha Street, full of street food stalls where you can sit and eat under covers.

Mangwon Market

Mangwon Market, close to Mangwon Station, is less touristy than Hongdae, Namdemun, and Myeongdong markets and you will find more traditional Korean street foods and restaurants here. This market near Hongdae is perfect for stocking up before visiting the nearby Han River parks or snacking as you explore the side streets and back alleys of Mangwon. There are lots of nice cafes and bakeries in this area for lunch, as well as famous Korean fried chicken restaurants where you can experience a night-time food tour.

Seoul’s Night Markets

If you’re visiting Seoul from late spring to autumn, you’ll find lots of yummy Korean street food stalls at Seoul’s summer night markets, including the Goblin Night Markets that run at various times and in various locations in popular night-time spots, including Yeouido Hangang River Park, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza. You’ll find the best street food trucks selling traditional, modern, and fusion food at these markets.

Street Food Trucks In Seoul

Seoul’s street food trucks offer an impressive array of dining options, from traditional tteokbokki to flame-grilled chop-steak, foreign foods with a Korean twist, and lots more. You can find street food trucks in many locations in Seoul, including the Han River Parks (especially Yeouido), near Seoul Forest, Olympic Park, night markets, Seokchon Lake, weekend markets, festivals, and parades. You can usually find them on weekends and holidays, as well as in spring and autumn.

Fun Korean Food Tours In Seoul

Want to try traditional Korean food in Seoul but not sure where to go and which one of the many options you should try? Why not book a street food tour or Seoul food tour and discover the best bites, make friends, and have fun exploring Seoul’s day or night dining scene.

Here are some of the best food tours available in Seoul:

Seoul Night Food Tour

Discover Seoul’s lively night scene in Euljiro in this evening tour of Seoul. Meet your local guide and walk, talk, and eat your way around the bustling streets and traditional markets while experiencing ‘hansik’ – Korean traditional meals and snacks. See where BTS visited and took a photoshoot, pass by Cheonggyecheon Stream, and even try some Korean cocktails.

Tour Details

The 10 Tastings of Seoul

Eat your way through Seoul’s most popular traditional markets on this 3-hour private Korean food tour that’s perfect for travellers looking to skip the tourist trap restaurants and eat like a local. Experience 10 Korean street food dishes and local cuisine that’s been hand-picked by a local guide who’s passionate about Korean food. Eat and learn about local culture at the same time.

Tour Details

Chicken & Beer Experience

Explore the authentic chicken restaurants of downtown Mangwon, home to some of Seoul’s best establishments and loved by locals. This chicken and beer experience will take you to 3 different chicken restaurants, introducing you to 90s style Korean fried chicken, country-style barbecue chicken, and sizzling boneless fried chicken in a unique WWII setting. The tour includes all drinks and food and will show you areas of Seoul you might not normally visit as a tourist.

Tour Details

Noryangjin Fish Market Tour

If you want to try fresh fishy street food, then this tour of the Noryangjin Fish Market could be right up your alley. This is the best place to eat fresh seafood in Seoul and offers some of the best prices, too – better than you’ll find in restaurants. This tour of Noryangjin Fish Market will allow you to try various seasonal fish and seafood dishes while your guide tells you what each unusual sea creature is.

Tour Details

Korean Phrases To Buy Street Food In Seoul

Korean is a unique language and hard to learn, especially for travellers from English-speaking countries. Fortunately, there are a few simple Korean phrases you can use to help you order food in Korea, ask for prices, and give compliments. Using these will impress Seoul’s street food vendors.

Besides speaking Korean, which will definitely impress the locals, there are a few Korean etiquette rules that you might want to be aware of. Did you know you shouldn’t tip when you buy food or drinks? Also, remember to take off your shoes inside traditional restaurants and don’t cross your legs.

Here are 12 useful phrases to use when ordering street food in Seoul. If you’d like to learn more phrases, check out my guide to phrases for eating out in Korea, which covers dietary requirements, ordering out, eating in a restaurant, and lots of useful Korean cultural and language insights.

If this article has whetted your appetite, be sure to check out my other Korean food-based articles, including the best Korean side dishes and the best traditional Korean dishes. There are lots of delightful and unique foods to try when you travel to Korea. Be brave, try them all.

Korean Street Food FAQs

Finally, here are a few FAQs about Korean street food in Seoul, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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