The 6 Best Markets in Seoul: Which Ones I Loved (And What to Eat There)

One thing I’ll never get tired of in Asia is the markets. You visit the tiniest village and somehow there’s an auntie frying something incredible, selling clothes off a rack, or yelling prices at no one in particular. After spending a full year bouncing around Asia, I was so ready for Seoul and all the Korean food I’d been dreaming about.

But once I started researching, I kept seeing the same warning over and over. “Too touristy.” “Overhyped.” “Not worth it anymore.” Especially when it came to the big-name markets like Gwangjang, thanks to Netflix sending everyone to the exact same stall. The thing is, I’m still a tourist. I wanted to see the famous markets, eat the iconic foods, and also figure out which ones are actually worth your time.

So I went to all of them. The popular markets, the local ones, and the surprisingly chill ones. This guide breaks down the best markets in Seoul based on my actual experience, what each market is best for, and exactly what you should eat when you go.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Seoul South Korea

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel 28 Myeongdong- Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Royal Hotel Seoul – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Hanok Hotel Daam Seoul – Click here for rates & availability

The 6 Best Markets in Seoul: Which Ones I Loved (And What to Eat There)

The Best Markets in Seoul – My Experience

Seoul is an absolute dynamite of a city. I fell in love pretty much the second I landed. The coffee shops are cool, the shopping is elite, and it always feels like something is happening no matter what day or time it is.

Before my trip, I had Myeongdong Night Market and Gwangjang Market locked in as must-visits, but what I didn’t realize is that almost every neighborhood has its own market. And honestly? They are all worth your time. Tourist trap or not, I had an absolute blast at every single one and ate some of the best food of my entire trip.

Now, I’ll be real. At some of the more local markets, I had no idea what was going on. Live octopuses swimming in tanks, locals yelling prices, people lining up for things I couldn’t identify… it was slightly intimidating but it was an adventure to say the least. That’s where the more tourist-friendly markets came in clutch. English menus, places to sit, and food that was maybe a dollar or two more expensive. Personally, I think doing both is the move.

I was lucky enough to have six full days in Seoul, which meant I could hop around to multiple markets. I know not everyone has that kind of time, so this guide is here to make things easier.

I’ll break down my favorite markets in Seoul, what each one is best for, and exactly what to eat when you’re there. From the stickiest Korean fried chicken to my new obsession with Korean pancakes stuffed with brown cinnamon sugar and seeds (actual heaven), the markets ended up being one of the biggest highlights of my entire Seoul itinerary.

My Favorite Foods & What You Should Try at the Top Markets in Seoul

Here’s your quick Seoul night market food 101, because once you’re actually there, it can be a little overwhelming.

So here is a quick guide of my favorite things I ate at Seoul’s markets and the must-try classics you should keep an eye out for.

Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

You’ll see this everywhere, especially at Myeongdong and Gwangjang. Thick, chewy rice cakes swimming in a spicy-sweet red sauce, often with fish cakes and boiled eggs. It’s comforting, a little spicy, and very addictive. This is Olivers favorite market dish!

Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes)

This was one of my favorite discoveries. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with melted brown sugar, cinnamon, and seeds. Some stalls do versions with nuts or honey, but the classic cinnamon sugar one is elite.

Korean Fried Chicken

This hits different from restaurant fried chicken. It’s extra crispy, often tossed in a sticky sweet-spicy sauce, and sometimes comes in wild flavors.

Korean Corn Dogs

These are not your average corn dogs. Think mozzarella pulls, sugar-dusted batter, potato-coated exteriors, and every sauce imaginable. Sweet, savory, and crunchy.

Gimbap (Market-Style Rolls)

Simple but so good. Seaweed rice rolls filled with egg, veggies, and sometimes tuna or beef. They’re easy to eat, not too heavy, and great when you want something a little lighter.

Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Steamed or pan-fried, usually stuffed with pork, chives, and veggies. I had some of the best kimchi mandu at Namdaemun Market. Some stalls sell them in big portions, so it’s better to share if you’re trying multiple things.

Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)

A Gwangjang Market specialty. Crispy, oily, savory pancakes made with mung beans, kimchi, and veggies. Extremely satisfying, especially with a beer.

Fish Bread (Bungeoppang)

Fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean or Nutella (the Nutella ones changed my life). You’ll usually find these in the evenings, especially in winter. Absolute comfort dessert.

Odeng / Eomuk (Fish Cake Skewers)

Fish cakes on sticks sitting in hot broth. You grab a skewer, sip the broth, and repeat. Simple, salty, warming, and perfect when it’s cold out.

Tornado Potato

A whole potato spiral-cut, deep-fried, and seasoned to perfection

If you want to try all the best street food in Seoul without stressing over what to order or where to go, joining this food tour is honestly one of the easiest ways to do it. You get to hit multiple markets, try the must-eat dishes, and learn what you’re actually eating from a local who knows the scene. It’s a great option if you’re short on time or just want to eat really, really well.

6 Seoul Markets You Have to Visit

Seoul’s markets are loud, chaotic, and absolutely incredible. Every Seoul neighborhood has its own, and each one feels totally different, from late-night street food to local markets where you’re very clearly the only tourist.

If you want to eat well, shop cheap, and actually experience the city beyond cafes and malls, these are the Seoul markets you can’t skip.

Namdaemun Market // Biggest Market in Seoul

Opening Hours: 9am-5pm, Closed on Sunday
Location

Namdaemun Market was the first market we visited in Seoul, and it’s an easy one to add to your day since it’s close to Namsan Park and Myeongdong. Oliver and I loved it because it felt busy but not overwhelming, with a good mix of locals and tourists.

Its one of the original traditional markets in Seoul and it is huge, with an underground section and tons of stalls selling everything from clothes to pots and pans, all for really cheap prices. If you need socks or small souvenirs, this is the place. There are also a few streets with food stalls, and even though it’s not a hardcore foodie market, the food was solid. I had some of the best kimchi dumplings here, plus the best hotteok of the whole trip.

The only thing I didn’t really like is that some stalls require minimum orders, like ten dumplings at once, which we skipped since we wanted to try multiple things. Overall, Namdaemun is perfect for a quick snack, cheap shopping, and a casual wander rather than a full-on food crawl.

Mangwon Market // Our Favorite Local Market in Seoul

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm
Location

Because we stayed in Mangwon for a few nights, we ended up coming to Mangwon Market every single day. It’s honestly one of the best markets on this list if you’re looking for something really local and authentic. It’s not insanely huge, which I appreciated, but it still has a ton of stalls to choose from.

Prices here are super fair, and the food is so good. I had two standout spots. The first was a fried chicken stall with like ten different flavors, and all of them looked insanely good. Keep in mind, you have to eat your food right in front of the stall you bought it from and throw away your container there. You’re not allowed to eat food from one stall in front of another stall, I don’t know why, it’s just what it is.

My second spot is a restaurant inside the market that sells these amazing deep-fried peppers. We had them on our first night in the city and oh my god. With a beer and the spicy fried chicken, this meal was impeccable. You can either order to go or grab a number and wait to eat inside, but either way, this is a must-eat at Mangwon Market.

Mangwon is a little bit out of the city, but the neighborhood itself is super cool, with lots of vintage shops and hipster cafes. I recommend spending a slow morning here and making sure you stop by the market.

Gwangjang Market // Best Street Food Market in Seoul

Opening Hours: 9am-10:30pm
Location

Gwangjang Market is definitely the most popular market in Seoul, and a lot of people will tell you it’s too touristy, overpriced, blah blah blah. Netflix famously featured one of the food stalls here, and since then the market has blown up even more than it already was.

But honestly? I’d still recommend coming here. Yes, the food is a little more expensive compared to more local markets, but it was still such a fun experience. This was actually the last market Oliver and I visited in Seoul, and it ended up being one of my favorites. Most of the stalls sell similar dishes, but what I loved is how easy it all is. There are little benches right in front of the aunties’ stalls where you can sit down, grab a menu, and order without stress. It’s easily the most straightforward market if it’s your first time.

We grabbed some beers, chatted with other travelers sitting around us, and tried a bunch of different dishes. The vibe felt social and lively without being overwhelming. There are also a few clothing and home goods shops mixed in, plus some dessert stalls. We grabbed a warm garlic bread from Garlic Boy and it was delicious.

So yes, Gwangjang is popular, but if you’re a newer traveler or visiting Seoul for the first time, I think it’s a great place to go, eat well, and just have a really good time.

Myeongdong Night Market // Best Market in Seoul for Food

Opening Hours: 5pm-1am
Location

Every night, one of the main streets in Myeongdong closes to cars and turns into rows and rows of food stalls, and I absolutely love it. The Myeongdong Night Market is one of the most popular markets in Seoul, and yeah, the whole area is very crowded with tourists. But while a lot of markets close earlier in the evening, this one is perfect for late-night snacks.

Oliver and I actually moved hotels for our last couple of nights and stayed right in the heart of Myeongdong, and honestly, it was amazing. Every night I’d head out and grab a Nutella-filled fish bread for dessert before bed and wow… life was good.

They have everything here. Korean corn dogs, kimbap, fried chicken, soups, you name it. It’s such a fun way to spend an evening. Grab some food, wander around, do a little shopping, then circle back for more food because somehow you’re hungry again.

I’ve met a few people who will tell you it’s not worth it, and I honestly just don’t agree. You don’t need to go out of your way to come to the Myeongdong Night Market, but it’s super easy to spend an afternoon shopping and wandering the walking streets, then naturally roll straight into the evening once the night market starts.

Noryangjin Fish Market // Best Market in Seoul for Seafood

Opening Hours: 24 hours
Location

Unfortunately, Oliver and I didn’t go here. He’s allergic to shellfish, and there is literally shellfish everywhere… so yeah, hard pass for us 😂 But I still wanted to include it because if you love seafood, this looks like such a cool market and experience.

The bottom level is packed with vendors selling fresh fish, and some of it is even still alive. You walk around, compare prices, and once you pick out your fish, octopus, or whatever you’re feeling, you take it upstairs to one of the restaurants. They’ll cook it however you want for a small service charge.

Honestly, it sounds amazing. It also seems cheaper than most seafood restaurants and about as fresh as it gets. Just know it’s a lot of food, so I’d definitely recommend coming with a group if you can.

Dongmyo Flea Market Seoul // The Market with the Best Shopping in Seoul

Opening Hours: 9am-8pm
Location

Dongmyo Flea Market is a totally different experience compared to the food markets in Seoul, but I’m really glad we went. This market is all about vintage, secondhand goods, and random treasures you didn’t know you needed to search for. You’ll find everything from old jackets and jeans to hats, bags, shoes, and honestly some things you would never need.

A lot of the shopping happens right on the street or on blankets laid out on the ground, which makes it feel very local. Prices are cheap, you can haggle a bit, and it’s just fun to wander and see what you’ll stumble upon. I definitely recommend going during the week if you can, because the weekends get super crowded and it can be a bit overwhelming. If you’re into thrifting, vintage fashion, or just want to see a different side of Seoul, this one is worth adding to your list.

Final Thoughts on the Best Markets in Seoul

After spending six days eating and wandering my way through Seoul, I can confidently say the markets were one of the biggest highlights of the trip. Each one had its own vibe and really added to the experience.

If you’re short on time, I’d mix one classic market like Gwangjang or Myeongdong Night Market with a more local spot like Mangwon Market. That way you get the iconic experience and a peek into everyday Seoul life. Whether you’re hunting for the best traditional Korean street food, cheap souvenirs, vintage finds, or just want to soak up the energy of the city, Seoul’s markets deliver every time.

You don’t need to hit every single one like I did, but I do think carving out time for at least one or two will make your trip feel fuller, tastier, and way more fun.

FAQ: Seoul Markets

What is the best market to visit in Seoul?

This really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a classic, easy, first-time market experience with lots of food and seating, Gwangjang Market is a great choice. For something more local and less touristy, Mangwon Market was my personal favorite, while Myeongdong Night Market is perfect if you want street food paired with shopping and a lively nighttime vibe.

Is it better to go to Gwangjang Market in the morning or at night?

Night, 100%. The atmosphere is way better in the evening when more stalls are open, people are sitting down with beers, and the market feels alive. During the day it’s still interesting, but it really shines once dinner time hits.

Is it worth going to Gwangjang Market?

Yes, even with all the “it’s too touristy” talk. The food is good, the setup is super straightforward, and it’s one of the easiest places in Seoul to try a bunch of traditional dishes in one spot. Especially for first-time visitors, it’s absolutely worth it.

What is the most famous street food market in Seoul?

Myeongdong Night Market is easily the most famous street food market. It’s iconic, packed every night, and loaded with Korean street food classics like corn dogs, hotteok, fish bread, and fried chicken. It’s busy and touristy, but still a really fun experience.