Korea’s traditional culture, Korea’s traditional market

Park chaeeun

Have you ever thought about getting to know Korean culture well while you’re in Seoul? Especially if you want to immerse yourself in traditional Korean culture, there’s a place I’d like to recommend: the traditional markets. Traditional markets are among the best-preserved places showcasing Korea’s traditions, and Seoul has many traditional markets where you can enjoy diverse flavors and atmospheres. Here are brief introductions to a few representative traditional markets:

1.Namdaemunl Market:

Namdaemun Traditional Market is one of the oldest traditional markets in Seoul, offering a wide variety of products such as clothing, goods, and food. You can enjoy traditional Korean foods like tteokbokki, mandu, and gimbap. Namdaemun Traditional Market is not only a central market in Seoul but also a representative market for all of Korea. Located in the heart of Seoul, it attracts around 400,000 people daily, including foreign tourists. With over 1,700 types of items available, it provides diverse food options, and notable sections include the alleyways specializing in dishes like grilled hairtail fish and knife-cut noodles.

2. Dongdaemun Market:

Adjacent to the 24-hour Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), this traditional market offers a variety of products, including clothing, textiles, and fashion items. Most shops open in the afternoon and operate until late at night. Observing shopkeepers buying and selling clothes is a common sight, and in the early morning, you might witness the bustling activity of people as if it were daytime. Dongdaemun Traditional Market also features vendors selling inexpensive clothes on blankets. This creates a unique scene, and if you discover good items among the piles of clothes, you might find unexpected bargains.

3. Gwangjang Traditional Market:

A traditional market where you can experience traditional Korean food and the atmosphere of a traditional marketplace. Traditional foods, especially those paired with makgeolli (Korean rice wine), are popular here. Additionally, you can purchase traditional Korean clothing, known as ‘hanbok,’ in this market. Gwangjang Traditional Market is particularly famous for its food offerings, including jeon (Korean pancakes), oil tteokbokki, bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), yukhoe (Korean-style beef tartare), and twisted doughnuts (kkwabaegi).

In addition to these, there are other traditional markets in areas like the traditional market in Bukchon Hanok Village and the antique furniture street in Itaewon. Exploring these traditional markets in Seoul allows you to experience local specialties and immerse yourself in traditional atmospheres. How about visiting and truly experiencing Korea’s traditional culture?