Gwangjang Market
광장시장
Go with several small dishes in mind and compare posted prices before ordering; individual stalls keep their own hours and closing days.
Language
Place information
- Korean name
- 광장시장
- Address
- 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Nearest station
- Jongno 5(o)-ga Station (종로5가역, Line 1) (Exit 8), Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station (을지로4가역, Lines 2 and 5) (Exit 4)
- Opening hours
- Otherwise 09:00–18:00 Gwangjang Market Food Alley 09:00–23:00 varies by shop
- Closed
- Every Sun
- Hours notes
- The food alley stays open when the general market is closed.
- Admission
- No entry fee — you pay each vendor
History
1904
The Gwangjang Corporation was founded
A company was incorporated to run the market. The name comes from its position between the Gwanggyo and Janggyo bridges on the Cheonggyecheon — 광장(廣藏), not the 광장 meaning a public square.
1905
The market opened in Yeji-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul Metropolitan Government, mediahub — Gwangjang Market (location, getting there, hours) ·
Nearby
Gwangjang Market Food Alley
The alley inside Gwangjang Market that trades five hours later than the market does, and stays open on the Sunday the general stalls take off.
Woo Lae Oak
A Pyongyang-style naengmyeon house open since 1946, known for a clear, light broth.
Sewoon Sangga
A mixed-use arcade, floors of electronics and lighting shops, with an elevated walkway running to its neighbours.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What should I eat at Gwangjang Market?
Bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake) is the signature. Mayak gimbap, yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) and knife-cut kalguksu noodles are the other three worth ordering.
Do stalls take cards?
Many do not. Bring cash in small bills, and check the price at the stall before ordering.
How do I get there?
Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1) Exit 8, or Euljiro 4-ga Station (Lines 2 and 5) Exit 4 — about three minutes on foot from either.
When is it least crowded?
Morning and early afternoon. The alley fills from early evening onward, and the queues at the best-known stalls build with it.
Is Gwangjang Market only a food market?
No. The food alley is the most visible visitor area, but the market also has fabric, clothing, bedding and traditional-goods sections.
What time should I visit?
Go in the morning or early afternoon for shopping. Visit around a meal period for the food alley, expecting heavier crowds.
Stories about this place
- Six Seoul Traditional Markets, Compared: Food, Opening Days and Tips
Gwangjang, Noryangjin, Namdaemun, Tongin, Gyeongdong and Mangwon compared on what to eat and buy, Sunday opening, and whether you need cash.
- Seoul in a Day: Gyeongbokgung to Dongdaemun, 4.1 km on Foot
The day of the week decides this one — Tuesday shuts Gyeongbokgung, Sunday shuts half of Gwangjang Market. Six stops, 4.1 km west to east.
Nearby Food
- Five Seoul Korean Barbecue Restaurants: Hanwoo, Galbi, Bulgogi and Pork Belly
- What the broth is made of — eight Seoul houses, seven different bases
- Northern Korean Food in Seoul: Naengmyeon, Eobok-jaengban, Mandu and Kongbiji
- Seven Seoul houses that open for breakfast — before eight in the morning
- Six Seoul houses that make the noodle by hand — kalguksu, guksi, sujebi
- Enjoying Seoul's Cafe Culture
Travel Guides
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