5 food markets worth the trip across South Korea, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All South Korea guides.
Gwangjang Market ★ 4.8 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Gwangjang Market, established in 1905, is the oldest continuous daily market in Korea and the city's most essential food destination for visitors.
Noryangjin Fish Market ★ 4.7 · Seoul
Dongjak-gu · 674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
Noryangjin is Seoul's wholesale fish market and its most dramatic food experience: buy live seafood at the auction, take it upstairs to be cooked on the spot.
Namdaemun Market ★ 4.5 · Seoul
Jung-gu and Myeongdong · 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Namdaemun is the largest traditional market in Korea, adjacent to Sungnyemun Gate, with hotteok stalls, kalguksu counters and 24-hour food lanes.
Tongin Market ★ 4.4 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tongin Market: buy a dosirak tray and brass yeopjeon coins, fill the tray from banchan stalls across the market, then eat in the communal hall at the back.
Mangwon Market ★ 4.3 · Seoul
Hongdae and Yeonnam · 2 Mangwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Mangwon is the neighbourhood market for Mapo-gu, a covered traditional market that serves the residential community between Hongdae and Yeouido.