Dongdaemun Jonghap Market

동대문종합시장

A covered market for fabric and haberdashery, and the one with the most stalls of any traditional market in Seoul — 3,400 registered units inside 61,475 square metres, with each floor given to different goods.

Language

A fabric shop in Dongdaemun Jonghap Market: bolts of cloth stacked and draped like a wall inside a narrow unit — plain white cotton, black, stripes, florals and embroidered pieces layered by colour, with yellow, blue and pink rolls stored above.

Place information

Korean name: 동대문종합시장
Address: 266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Jongno 6-ga 289-42)
Admission: No entry fee — you pay each vendor

Nearby

Heunginjimun Gate

The eastern gate of the walled city, designated a Treasure in 1963. A crescent-shaped barbican wraps its outer face — the only one of the four main gates built with one.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

It closes three days a year and otherwise runs 10:00 to 20:00, but that figure covers the site, not what is inside it — each hall keeps its own hours according to whatever exhibition is running. Check the programme, not the building.

Gwangjang Market

Go with several small dishes in mind and compare posted prices before ordering; individual stalls keep their own hours and closing days.

Jongmyo Shrine

Plan around the admission system: weekday access may be limited to timed guided groups, while self-guided entry is offered on designated days.

Stories about this place

Seoul Wholesale and Specialist Markets: Garak Auctions and Three More
Four Seoul markets used mainly by the trades and local shoppers rather than visitors — the Garak produce and seafood wholesale market, Dongdaemun Jonghap for fabric and haberdashery, Majang for meat, and Seoul Jungang, a neighbourhood market — compared on what each deals in, who it suits and what time to go. Garak's auctions start at a different hour for each commodity, and those shift by season and by wholesaler.

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