Gwangjang Traditional Market
Korea’s oldest permanent street market (established 1905) and the definitive destination for authentic street food including bindaetteok and yukhoe.
Hours & Closures
Tickets & Admission
Contact & Website
Transit Access
🚗 No dedicated parking; subway is by far the easiest and fastest access.
History & Heritage
Established in 1905 by patriotic merchants seeking to protect Korean commerce during colonial incursions, Gwangjang Market is a living 120-year-old culinary and textile institution known worldwide for its vibrant food alleys.
In response to colonial retail takeovers, Korean merchants pooled capital to register the Gwangjang Corporation in 1905, guaranteeing an independent marketplace for Korean vendors.
Over the decades, it evolved into an epicenter of working-class culinary innovation, pioneering stone-ground bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancakes) and freshly seasoned yukhoe beef.
⏳ Historical Milestones
What to See & Highlights
Bindaetteok Mung Bean Pancake Stalls
광장시장 빈대떡Bustling vendors frying thick, crunchy golden mung bean pancakes freshly stone-ground on site.
Yukhoe (Beef Tartare) & Mayak Gimbap Alley
광장시장 육회 골목Legendary lane serving seasoned Korean beef tartare paired with crisp pear and addictive mini gimbap rolls dipped in mustard sauce.
Photo & Heritage Gallery
Visit Planning & Advice
1 to 2 hours
Between 17:00 and 20:00 for the peak lively evening atmosphere and dinner.
- Having some cash (KRW) is handy for quick purchases at crowded stalls, though credit cards and T-money are widely accepted.
- Prices are transparently posted in Korean and English at authorized stalls under municipal guidelines.
