A Foodie's Guide to Gwangjang Market: From Twisted Donuts to Hidden Gems
Hello!
Today, I'm excited to introduce you to Gwangjang Market, located at Jongno 5-ga Station in Seoul.
Gwangjang Market
Address: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours:
- General Market: 9 AM - 6 PM (Closed on Sundays)
- Food Alley: 9 AM - 11 PM (Open year-round)
- Vintage Clothing Section: 10 AM - 7 PM (Closed on Sundays, Open on Public Holidays)
Parking: Cheonggye Roadside Public Parking (Cheonggye 4-ga, Cheonggye 3-ga)
First up, let's talk about the famous Gwangjang Market Chapssal Kkwabaegi (Glutinous Rice Twisted Donut). Even from afar, you can see the long line of people waiting. It was popular when I visited a few years ago, and it seems it's still a renowned hot spot. It has even been featured on TV shows and praised by food critics.
They even have a sign indicating where to line up for the twisted donuts.
You can watch them making the glutinous rice twisted donuts on the spot and frying them fresh. This ensures cleanliness and the chance to enjoy warm, crispy donuts – a definite advantage!
Menu:
- Glutinous Rice Twisted Donut: ₩1,000
- Red Bean Donut: ₩1,500
- Black Rice Glutinous Donut: ₩1,000
- Sweet Potato Glutinous Donut: ₩1,500
I ordered the glutinous rice twisted donut and the black rice glutinous donut.
My Review:
While it wasn't the *most* amazing donut I've ever had (there are so many great donut places!), it's still a worthy snack to try when visiting Gwangjang Market, especially for foreigners. Where else can you get something for ₩1,000 these days? It's a great value! The location is convenient, right outside Jongno 5-ga Station, and the line moves quickly, so you can expect to wait less than 5 minutes.
Many people enjoy yukhoe (raw beef) and savory pancakes at Gwangjang Market, so these donuts are perfect for a little dessert afterwards.
Other Foods Near East Gate A:
The following food stalls are located near the rotary of Gwangjang Market, on the left side as you walk around the circle.
East Gate A, No. 23: Heart Hotteok
I couldn't find the exact address or information for this stall.
At Heart Hotteok, they were selling a lot of watermelon juice, but I was craving something even cooler, so I opted for a papaya slush. It was a hot summer day and there's no air conditioning inside the market, and it was very hot near the grills. The slush was a refreshing treat!
East Gate A, No. 17: Daewon Original Mini Gimbap
Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes): ₩3,000
Gimbap (Seaweed Rice Rolls): ₩4,000
Again, I couldn't find the exact location on a map.
It's located near the rotary of Gwangjang Market, on the left side as you walk around the circle.
I just sat down at a random snack bar I came across while walking around the market. The tteokbokki was incredibly chewy, sweet and spicy, and just perfect! The texture of the rice cakes was amazing. It was the best market tteokbokki I've had in a while. Sometimes, the most familiar flavors are the best.
I also ordered mini gimbap to go. It was delicious even without dipping it in mustard sauce. It's filled with perilla leaves and pickled radish, but it's so addictive!
East Gate A, No. 24: Kkaennip Gimbap Oppane (Perilla Leaf Gimbap, Oppa's Place)
Iced Sikhye (Sweet Rice Drink): ₩2,500
The sikhye was served with ice chunks, making it refreshing and perfect for quenching my thirst.
Overall Review:
Gwangjang Market is a must-visit traditional market and tourist attraction in Korea. It's crowded with both locals and foreign tourists. It's the most famous market in Seoul, so it's worth visiting at least once.
However, it's always crowded and there are many large and famous markets in Seoul. As a Korean, it's not necessarily somewhere I'd go with high expectations.
I recommend it to:
- People who don't visit Seoul often: A place worth visiting ✔️
- Foreign tourists: A great experience for Korean street food ✔️
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