Every Street Food I Ate At Gwangjang Market
Come with me to Gwangjang Market, one of Korea’s oldest, and most iconic traditional market for some authentic Korean street foods, from Tteokbokki to Hotteok. We even got to try hand cut noodles that were previously featured on Netflix! Every store is cooking up a storm. The overwhelming smells, sights, and sounds makes me want to try everything. So, here’s every single street foods I got to try at Gwangjang Market!
How To Get To GwangJang Market
Gwangjang Market is located in the Jongno District, a historic district in Central Seoul. Located in a busy urban area, the market is super accessible by public transportation, either by bus or subway. However, the subway is the most convenient.
To get to Gwangjang Market, you can take the subway by Line 1 to Jongno-5 Station, or to Euljiro 4-ga Station if you take line 2 or 5. Both stations are within a 5 minute walking distance to the Market. You won’t miss it!
Everything I Ate At Gwangjang Market
It’s my first time in Seoul, South Korea, and we’ve been exploring everywhere from Gangnam to Seongsu for cafe, shopping, and traditional Korean eats. Today, we’re heading to Gwangjang Market. Yes I know, some people think this place is a tourist trap. But honestly, you can trap me in here all day, any day.
Gwangjang Market is packed with all kinds of mouthwatering traditional Korean foods from the moment you walk in. You’re immediately surrounded by the smells and sounds of sizzling food. After a day here, my stomach was full, and my heart even fuller. Everyone in the market was kind and warm. Next time I visit South Korea, I’ll have to come back for a round 2!
Bindaetteok – Mung Bean Pancakes (8/10)
When you’re at Gwangjang Market, there’s no shortage of Bindaetteok – or mung bean pancakes. These were the first thing on my list – and they’re everywhere. We picked one of the many stalls to tried this iconic treat, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! You can see the employees constantly grinding mung bean paste, mixing batter, and frying pancakes nonstop. Most stalls offer an original mung bean one and a pork version for about 5000 won. If you take it to go like us, you get it cut in half, served in a little paper cup.
Inside the batter, they mixed in fresh bean sprouts as well, giving an extra layer of crunch. Then they fry it fresh with all sorts of filling options until golden and crispy on the edges. It’s all made fresh right in front of you, and watching that pancake sizzle made me so hungry. Despite the frying, they didn’t taste too greasy at all! The portions are HUGE, so make sure to order to share. These pancake were so, so satisfying!
Cho Yoonsun’s Gohyang Kalguksu Knife Cut Noodles (8.5/10)
We then visited the Netflix-famous Choo Yoonsun’s Gohyan Kalguksu 고향칼국수. Featured in Seoul’s episode on Street Foods: Asia, this little stall serves bowls of steaming hand-cut noodles at a super affordable price. Shockingly, there was no line at all! The stall is piled high with handmade mandu, while noodles are being kneaded, rolled, and sliced by hand on the spot. It’s mesmerizing to watch the aunties churn out bowls after bowls of noodles.
We ordered the noodle soup with dumplings, which comes out to about 7000 won each. The pork bone broth has that deep, pure flavor you only get from hours of simmering. It’s warm, delicate, and seriously felt like a warm hug in a bowl. The hand-made noodles are simple and bouncy, and you can taste her love in that chew. Paired with their kimchi, it was chef’s kiss!
I had to bring my mom here on our latest trip as well, and the best part is, we only waited 10 minutes! I highly recommend starting this as your base before exploring the rest of the market.
Twisted Donuts (10/10)
I have to talk about these twisted donuts, because they are actually life changing. You’re not going to miss the long lines to this twisted donut shop. It’s so busy, you’re always guaranteed to get it fresh.You can choose from 4 different flavors: Original sweet rice, red bean, black rice, and sweet potatoes at about 1000-1500 won.
These donuts are made with glutinous rice flour, giving it that super chewy texture but still keeps the dough super light. They’re deep fried, then rolled in cinnamon sugar. One bite, and I knew I had to go back for seconds. It has a little more of a chew to it from the sticky rice compared to normal donuts. That sugary, but balanced flavor was so simple – but addicting. In fact, we ran back to the line right before we left the market. It’s 100% worth the hype!
Korean Style Sashimi
We kept the food train going by trying Korean style sashimi. Korea serves a different variety than the Japanese variety that’s more common elsewhere. Gwangjang Market is a great spot to try fresh, raw foods, even including raw beef and live octopus. This time, we’re here for their super fresh Sashimi Assortment, which comes with 6 different types: salmon, octopus, conch, eel, flounder, and sea squirt.
This assorted plate was 25000 won for 2 person. Each serving comes with gochujang, soy sauce with wasabi, and a plate full of perilla leaves, garlic, and chili. Every type of fish was so fresh and delicious, especially when you wrap it in perilla leaves and dab on some spicy gochujang dip.
Hotteok Jjang
Of course, we had to try Hotteok, Korea’s favorite pancake. Here at Hotteok Jjang, they’re churning out these hot, melty pancakes at an astonishing rate. Ranging from 2000-3500 won, they also offer unique flavors such as injeolmi (soy bean powder), savory cheese, choco Oreo, and Nutella. They even have hotteok combos with marshmallow ice cream!
A bite of these warm, gooey pancakes, and I honestly thought I was in heaven. Each of these pancakes are filled with crushed nuts, cinnamon, and brown sugar that oozes out with each bite. It’s perfectly sweet and caramelized. The hot syrup warms up the crushed nuts inside and makes it extra fragrant. It’s a must try!
Tteobokki and Sundae
If we’re in Gwangjang Market, I can’t miss tteokbokki and sundae, the classic combo. Here at Gwangjang market, you can see a bunch of aunties stirring large pots of bright red rice cakes. Tteokbokki is rice cakes cooked in a thick, red spicy sauce. Sundae, on the other hand, is Korean blood sausage. It’s filled with glass noodles or rice and steamed, giving it a squishy, but still light texture.
It’s my first time trying blood sausage, and I love that rich, earthy flavor it adds. In contrast with that sweet, spicy tteokbokki sauce, it actually pairs perfectly well. The plate also comes with some steamed liver, adding to the meaty, earthy flavors of this meal.
Fresh Grape Juice – Daebong Sanghoe 대복상회
After such exciting flavors, we needed a refreshing drink to cut down on the spiciness. Fresh fruit juice has been super popular in Gwangjang market, so there’s tons of options. This fresh grape smoothie at Daebong Sanghoe 대복상회 was the perfect palette cleaner after spicy sauces and fried treats.
This little fruit juice shop is lined with cups of cut fruit ready to become the freshest juices or smoothies, ranging from 5000-6000 Won. Everything at this stall is 100% natural fruit juices, with no added sugars. They also have a juice press where they’re making freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink to pair with all your snacks, this is an instant refresh.
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