One of the great things about Seoul is that for such a metropolitan area, you still see remnants of traditional culture pretty much in every neighborhood, such as palaces, gates, or fortress walls. Markets also serve as a great example; aside from the heavily touristic markets such as Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market, we've still got tiny little ghetto-ish traditional markets that local residents frequent for groceries and street snacks. To be honest, most of the foods (fruits and vegetables) sold in such markets aren't regulated, so you have no way of knowing where they come from. But let's be real: they're much cheaper, you get to help boost the local economy, and life's too short to worry about every little detail in our foods anyway.
Tongin Market is another well-known market that seems to be more famous locally than to international visitors and expats, although I did see quite a few foreigners. This market has a unique system called the 도시락카페, or Dosirak (lunch box) Cafe, which allows you to sample different foods sold within the market and even provides a cafeteria set with tables and utensils for you to better enjoy your meal. It's a super fun way to try different Korean foods.
The market has different entrances, but the easiest way is to go straight from Gyeongbokgung Station exit 2 until you see the main entrance. Once you enter, keep walking until you get to the other end, and you will see a stack of plastic lunch boxes and someone selling yeopjeon, traditional Korean currency, but more like play money in this case. Price is 5,000 won for a bundle of coins and a lunch box.
Then you walk around the market looking for places that indicate that they accept these play coins instead of actual money.
Usually, a sample size of a dish or meal will cost about one or two coins. The market is filled with a bunch of traditional foods as well as modern street foods, and I've realized that one time is definitely not enough to try all the foods that caught my interest.
Once you're done buying all your food, make your way to the customer service center located in the middle of the market. If you go up to the second floor, you'll see tables, as well as a corner that sells drinks, rice, and Korean soup of the day for 1,000 won. Utensils are free, as is water and microwave use. All that's left is to sit down and enjoy!
It was a fun experience and a chance for me to try different Korean homemade foods. I noticed a lot of families and young children as well, perhaps because I visited on a weekend. It's also right in the city center, and close to the palaces, Insadong, the Museum of History, and a bunch of other cafes and shops to hang out at. It was my first time visiting although I'd been living quite close by for about a decade now. Huge recommendation for anyone looking for some good authentic Korean food, especially if you can't decide what exactly you want to eat!!!
Tongin Market is another well-known market that seems to be more famous locally than to international visitors and expats, although I did see quite a few foreigners. This market has a unique system called the 도시락카페, or Dosirak (lunch box) Cafe, which allows you to sample different foods sold within the market and even provides a cafeteria set with tables and utensils for you to better enjoy your meal. It's a super fun way to try different Korean foods.
The market has different entrances, but the easiest way is to go straight from Gyeongbokgung Station exit 2 until you see the main entrance. Once you enter, keep walking until you get to the other end, and you will see a stack of plastic lunch boxes and someone selling yeopjeon, traditional Korean currency, but more like play money in this case. Price is 5,000 won for a bundle of coins and a lunch box.
Then you walk around the market looking for places that indicate that they accept these play coins instead of actual money.
Usually, a sample size of a dish or meal will cost about one or two coins. The market is filled with a bunch of traditional foods as well as modern street foods, and I've realized that one time is definitely not enough to try all the foods that caught my interest.
Once you're done buying all your food, make your way to the customer service center located in the middle of the market. If you go up to the second floor, you'll see tables, as well as a corner that sells drinks, rice, and Korean soup of the day for 1,000 won. Utensils are free, as is water and microwave use. All that's left is to sit down and enjoy!
It was a fun experience and a chance for me to try different Korean homemade foods. I noticed a lot of families and young children as well, perhaps because I visited on a weekend. It's also right in the city center, and close to the palaces, Insadong, the Museum of History, and a bunch of other cafes and shops to hang out at. It was my first time visiting although I'd been living quite close by for about a decade now. Huge recommendation for anyone looking for some good authentic Korean food, especially if you can't decide what exactly you want to eat!!!
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