Songjeong Station 1913 Market
Head to Songjeong Station Market for a traditional market experience with a modern twist. Opened in 1913, the Songjeong Station Market was the place for essential items and groceries. Therefore, in efforts to draw the crowds back again, the entire Songjeong market was redesigned around the theme of time.
During the weekends, the hip, young crowd of Gwangju flock to the market, which is also a very Instagram-worthy location. The unique characteristic of this market would be its motto of “change to preserve”, where it has managed to keep its traditional value despite its modernisation.
Tongin Market
Located just a few minutes away from the Gyeongbokgung Palace, this market is a good place to fill your stomach after you are toured the historical palace. Tongin Market is the unique lunch experience that you can get at the Dosirak Cafe.
If you have a hard time to decide on what to eat and want to try a little bit of everything from different vendors, at this market you actually can. Grab a lunchbox and fill it with whatever you like from stalls involved in the cafe’s lunchbox programme. Participating stalls have signs that say Gamaengjom (가맹점), and food is purchased with Yeopjeon that you can exchange for with cash.
Gukje Market
The Gukje Market is one of Korea’s largest markets, and is comparable to the renowned Namdaemun Market in Seoul. Refugees who fled to Busan following the Korean War set up various stalls to earn a livelihood, and that paved the way for the modern-day Gukje Market.
Containing about 690 stalls, the market sells a wide variety of products. Apart from food and clothes, you can also purchase kitchen appliances and electronics here. The must-try foods at this market include Yubu-Jeongol (fried tofu stew), Ssiat-Hotteok (sweet Korean pancake stuffed with seeds) and Bibim-dangmyeon (spicy glass noodles). Do note that the market is closed on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Seoul Folk Flea Market
Housed in a two-story building along Cheonggyecheon Stream, the Seoul Folk Flea Market (also referred to as Seoul Pungmul Market) offers folk souvenirs, regional specialties, clothing, food, and miscellaneous items. The Seoul Folk Flea Market originated from the flea market in the Hwanghak-dong area, where many street shops and vendors gathered around Cheonggyecheon Steam before it was restored and modernized into its current state.
There are countless shops selling everything under the sun, from everyday apparel to vintage items. The market is well organized into several sections such as food court, sundry goods, clothes, antiques, and regional goods.
Garak Market
Garak Market is made up of separate buildings for fruits, vegetables, seafood, dried food, and meat. Run by the Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation, the market is where agricultural and marine products from around the nation are gathered for distribution and standard pricing. Throughout the night, the market receives lines of freight trucks filled with fresh produce.
Although the market is primarily a wholesale market, merchants also sell in retail quantities. Walking around the compound, one can see sacks of potatoes, boxes of fruits, and plastic barrels overflowing with side dishes. Even if you are not in the market to buy anything, simply experiencing the sights and sounds is remarkable.