All it takes is a day in Seoul to realize that the capital of South Korea is no ordinary city. And I think this holds especially true when you decide to peruse some of the best night markets in Seoul!
I can’t think of a more compelling reason to visit South Korea’s capital city than to experience its gastronomic delights. And among the easiest places I’ve found to do it are these bustling marketplaces, opening in the late evening and (in some cases) rockin’ on until the wee hours of the morning.
Ready to embark on a quest to find Seoul’s finest soul food? Own the evening with this quick & easy guide to my favourite Seoul night markets…
Dongdaemun Night Market
One of the city’s most famous shopping areas, Dongdaemun Night Market lives true to Seoul night market form, surging to life long after most of the city shutters for the day.
When I’ve visited on my weekend jaunts to Seoul, I’ve found that most of the shops at Dongdaemun Night Market don’t start pumpin’ until after 10 pm. And, keeping with the city’s reputation for sleepless nights, I was able to shop here until as late (or early?) as 5 am.
(Okay, I’ll be honest: I didn’t quite make it that late.)
Looking to fill your backpack? We can find just about everything we’d ever need for our Korea trip itinerary—whether it’s clothing, fashion accessories, toys, or souvenirs.
The bulk of Dongdaemun Market is holed up in the multi-story buildings and tents around Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. And although the market caters mostly to fashionistas and bargain-hunters, I’ve got another brilliant reason to spend your night hangin’ out here: Seoul street food.
Dongdaemun Night Market’s reputation for offering tasty Korean treats is well-known to Seoulites and visitors alike. In fact, it’s one of my favorite spots to visit when I can no longer handle my Korean food cravings. (Even if I had only one day in Seoul, I’d make an effort to get out to this one.)
For the tastiest street food in the market, I’d suggest searching out Mukja Golmok (“Let’s Eat Alley”), a small alley off the food street of Jong-ro 40-gil. The area specializes in grilled fish and whole chicken soup, but other Korean favourites like hotteok (Korean rice flour donuts) and tteokbokki (Korean rice rolls) are also available.
Getting there: Both the Dongdaemun Station and the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station will put us in the vicinity of the Dongdaemun Night Market. Use exit #4 of the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station for the open market. For Mukja Golmok, I’d suggest popping out at exit #8 of Dongdaemun Station.
Namdaemun Night Market
Part of Seoul’s most famous 24-hour market, Namdaemun Night Market wheels and deals from late evening until the sun comes up. As one of my favorite places to find a bargain when I’m visiting Seoul, this bustling night market will keep you on your toes, perfecting your haggling skills with Seoul’s most skilled vendors.
Walking around Namdaemun Night Market on my weekend trips to Seoul, I’ve stumbled upon just about anything you’d ever want, from household goods to clothing. The real excuse for dropping in at night, though, is (surprise, surprise!) a chance to sample the market’s gastronomical goodness.
While just about all the tastiest Seoul street food delicacies will be at your fingertips here, I learned on my visits that Namdaemun Night Market is especially famous for two:
- galchi jorim (braised hairtail fish)
- kalguksu (hand-cut Korean noodles)
Each of these unique Korean dishes has its own alleyway in Namdaemun Market. Each alleyway is lined with restaurants serving up some of South Korea’s finest samples of these dishes.
We can find Galchi Jorim Alley in the northern part of the market. It’s located just southeast of Gate 2 on the first alleyway south of Namdaemunsijang-gil. On the other hand, we can access Kalguksu Alley north of Gate 6 on the first alleyway to the left of Namdaemungsijang 4-gil.
Getting there: Take subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station. Use Exit 5 to enter the market through Gate 6, close to Kalguksu Alley and a large concentration of excellent food stalls.
Gwangjang Market
As the oldest market in the city, Gwangjang Market draws upon over a century of tradition to deliver one of the most authentic night market experiences I’ve found in Seoul. The market is most famous for its textiles and is a great place to buy traditional Korean clothing (hanbok).
I think Gwangjang Market’s true worth, however, shines through the taste buds. On the ground floor of Gwangjang Market, foodies will relish the chance to sample some of Seoul’s tastiest Korean street food. While exploring the market on my first trip to Seoul, I spotted all the city’s favourite snacks here, including bibimbap, gimbap, hotteok, and tteokbokki.
What Gwangjang Market is especially famous for, though, is its bindaetteok. These traditional Korean pancakes are unlike any “pancakes” I’ve ever tasted. (And that includes okonomiyaki, Japan’s addition to the savoury pancake world, which I love!)
Bindaetteok are made from mung beans rather than wheat flour and are packed with flavour. Recipes vary, but most feature kimchi, ground pork, sesame oil, scallions, and other savoury ingredients for a powerful taste profile.
Getting there: Take Subway Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga Station. Exit 8 is closest to the market.
Bamdokkaebi Night Market
Originally starting off in Yeouido, the popular Bamdokkaebi Night Market is distinctive among Seoul night markets. Unlike the others, Bambokkaebi is spread over several locations around the city. In my experience visiting a couple of them, each market gives off its own unique vibe and specializes in different goods.
Yeouido World Night Market
The original Yeouido location of the Bamdokkaebi is still one of Seoul’s most exciting night markets. Set upon the shores of the Han River, the Yeouido World Night Market drew me in with international performances, handicrafts, and foods for a worldly experience.
Getting there: Take Subway Line 5 to Yeouinaru Station. Take Exit 2 and walk about 600 metres northwest along Yeouidong-ro to the market.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza Youth Runaway Market
From my experience, the trendiest night market in Seoul is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza Youth Runaway Market. Each week, this bustling area drops the bass with music performances and fashion shows flaunting all the newest Korean styles.
At Dongdaemun Design Plaza Youth Runaway Market, I’ve also found a killer selection of street food and handmade goods popular among Seoul’s younger denizens.
Getting there: Hop on Subway Line 2/4/5 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Exit 1 or 2 will put you just outside the market.
Cheonggyecheon Time Slip Market
With a funky name like Cheonggyecheon Time Slip Market, I wasn’t surprised to see some interesting stuff here. Some of the city’s most atmospheric evening scenes unfold here as the Cheonggyecheon Stream is lit up with dokkaebi lights (goblin lights).
On the north side of the stream, you’ll get a chance to sample some of Bamdokkaebi Night Market’s tastiest street food at one of the many food trucks parked here.
On the south side, more active pursuits and a chill-out zone await. In this zone, you can admire the Cheonggyecheon Stream under the faint glow of Seoul’s city lights. (After several weekend trips to Seoul, I think it’s one of the coolest spots in the city center.)
Getting there: Take Subway Line 1 to Jonggak Station. Exit 5 is about 80 metres north of the market.
Banpo Romantic Moonlight Market
Bring your main squeeze down to the Banpo Romantic Moonlight Market. I’ve heard from locals that this Seoul night market is every bit as lovely as it sounds!
With the market’s fantastic riverside location, I can see how there’d be a whole lot for couples to rejoice over at Banpo Romantic Moonlight Market. Treat your better half to a delicious selection of international food or soft acoustic guitar and jazz performances for a truly memorable evening.
Getting there: Take Line 3/7/9 to Express Bus Terminal Station. From Exit 8-1 or 8-2, it’s about 10 minutes on foot to the market via Sinbanpo-ro and Banpo-daero.
Myeongdong Night Market
One of Seoul’s most famous night markets, Myeongdong Night Market is in a league of its own when carving out evening plans. When I first visited, I didn’t find it as traditional as places like Dongdaemun Market or Namdaemun Market, but it dominates discussions of things to see & do in Seoul with the same vigour.
Although it’s more famous as one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul by day (and filled with some of my favorite hotels in Seoul), Myeongdong continued to impress me as the sun dips below the city.
Even more than during the day, I love visiting Myeongdong from about 5 pm onward, when the area’s main street fills up with food stalls. I’ve easily found all my favourite Korean fixings here, from tteokbokki and fried Korean chicken to gyerangbbang (Korean egg bread) and the less traditional “tornado potato.”
Getting here: Grab a train on Subway Line 4 to Myeong-dong Station. Exits 6 & 7 are closest to Myeongdong Shopping Street, where you can start to dig into all my favorite Myeongdong attractions.
Noryangjin Fish Market
Yes, I’m aware: Not everyone will get on board with a visit to Noryangjin Fish Market. But if you can stomach the strong smells and sight of sometimes oddly disturbing sea creatures, I think that visiting this traditional market will be one of the most memorable experiences in your South Korea itinerary.
Not just a night market, Noryangjin Fish Market operates 24 hours a day, with activity buzzing at all hours of the day. One of my recommended times to visit the market is in the wee morning hours. Before the crack of dawn, a fish auction draws a group of over-caffeinated wholesalers who try their luck at getting their hands on the day’s finest catches.
At whatever time of day you visit Noryangjin Fish Market, all the world’s edible (and, if you ask me, not-so-edible) marine life makes an appearance. You’ll see everything here: shrimp, crab, squid, stingray, octopus, mackerel, tuna, lobster, clams, mussels, and more.
Got an instant hankering for fresh seafood? Buy something that catches your eye and head to the second floor. Many restaurants here will prepare you a fresh meal with your newest catch.
Getting there: Take Subway Line 1 to Noryangjin Station. Follow the signs for Exit 1 and walk over the tracks (about 100 metres) using the bridge. Go downstairs to enter the fish market.
