Gwangjang Market Food Guide: What to Eat and How to Order

Short answer: at Gwangjang Market, go straight for three classics: bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap (tiny seaweed rice rolls with mustard dip) and, if you eat raw meat, yukhoe (seasoned raw beef). Ordering is simple: point at what you want, sit on the bench at the stall, eat, then pay the same vendor before you leave. Go a little before the lunch or dinner rush and bring some cash as a backup.

Gwangjang Market in Jongno, central Seoul, is one of the oldest traditional markets in Korea, dating back to the early 1900s. Fabric and hanbok shops fill much of the building, but most visitors come for the food alleys in the middle, where rows of stalls cook in front of you. Here is what to eat and how to order without stress.

What to eat at Gwangjang Market

Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake)

This is the market's signature dish. Ground mung beans are mixed with vegetables and sometimes pork, then fried in oil until the edges are crunchy. You will see vendors grinding beans with stone mills right at the counter. One pancake is big enough to share between two people. It comes with a soy-onion dipping sauce.

Mayak gimbap

"Mayak" is a joke name meaning the rolls are addictive. They are small, simple gimbap with rice, carrot and pickled radish, brushed with sesame oil and served with a sharp mustard-soy dip. Light, cheap and easy to eat while you look around.

Yukhoe (seasoned raw beef)

Gwangjang has a whole cluster of yukhoe restaurants. Thin strips of raw beef are mixed with sesame oil and pear, often topped with an egg yolk. It is a local favourite, but only order it if you are comfortable eating raw meat.

Kalguksu and mandu

For something warm, look for stalls with steaming pots of kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and baskets of mandu (dumplings). These are good on cold days and a filling option if you are not into fried food.

Tteokbokki, sundae and sweet snacks

You will also find spicy rice cakes, Korean blood sausage (sundae) and sweet things like hotteok in some corners. If you want a full guide to these, see our Korean street food guide.

How to order at a stall

1. Check the price board. Most stalls show a menu with prices. Look before you sit so there are no surprises.
2. Point and say the dish name. "Bindaetteok hana juseyo" means "One bindaetteok, please." Holding up fingers for the number works fine too.
3. Sit at the stall's own bench. Seats belong to the stall you order from. If you want food from two stalls, it is more polite to eat at one, then move to the next.
4. Pay when you finish. Usually you pay the vendor after eating. Many stalls take cards now, but carry some cash in case a small stall prefers it.
5. Takeaway is fine. Say "pojang" (to go) and many stalls will pack food for you.

A few Korean words go a long way here. Our 30 basic Korean phrases for travel covers greetings, numbers and "how much is this?".

Getting there and when to go

The market sits between two subway stations: Jongno 5-ga (Line 1) and Euljiro 4-ga (Lines 2 and 5). Both are a short walk. Weekday afternoons are calmer than weekend evenings, which can get very crowded. Some shops in the market close on certain days and hours vary by stall, so check the official Seoul tourism information or the market's posted hours before you plan a special trip.

Prices and fair-price tips

Gwangjang is still one of the more affordable places to eat in central Seoul, but prices have risen over the years and vary by stall. Do not rely on old blog prices. Read the menu board, confirm portion sizes if you are unsure, and keep your receipt or note what you ordered. If something feels wrong, it is fine to ask politely, "Eolmayeyo?" (How much is it?).

LUMI from POPORO CITY says: "Share a bindaetteok first, then decide what's next. Your stomach will thank you."

Quick tips

• Share dishes so you can try more stalls.
• Bring a little cash plus a card.
• Go before noon or mid-afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
• Wear clothes you don't mind smelling of frying oil.
• Skip yukhoe if you are pregnant or avoid raw food.

FAQ

What is Gwangjang Market famous for?

It is best known for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap and yukhoe (raw beef), served at stalls in the central food alleys.

Do Gwangjang Market stalls accept credit cards?

Many do, but not every stall. Carrying some Korean won in cash is the safest plan.

Is Gwangjang Market good for vegetarians?

There are options such as mayak gimbap, some vegetable pancakes and hotteok, but many dishes contain meat or fish stock. Ask "gogi isseoyo?" (Is there meat?) before ordering.

How much time do I need?

About one to two hours is enough to eat a few dishes and walk through the food alleys.

Which subway station is closest?

Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1) and Euljiro 4-ga Station (Lines 2 and 5) are both a short walk away.