Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

2.4Km 2024-07-08

88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0291

Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The name Gwangjang means "to gather from afar and keep altogether." The market began as a small trading center that brought in goods from nearby regions, but has now grown into a large wholesale market selling a variety of goods, including upholstery, imported goods, groceries, dried fish, traditional goods, and more. The most popular section of the market is the food street connected to the East Gate, North Gate 2, and South Gate 1. The food street caters to a wide range of patrons due to the plethora of menus available. It is also one of the most recommended tourist attraction for international travelers.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

2.4Km 2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

2.4Km 2025-05-20

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

Myth Jokbal Myeongdong (미쓰족발명동)

2.4Km 2024-10-15

21, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-8799

This restaurant specializes in Jokbal (Braised pigs' feet) and Bossam (Napa wraps with pork), both of which are served with vegetable wraps and salad. Jokbal (Braised pigs’ feet) is prepared by braising pigs' feet in spiced stock, a process that removes excess fat, enhances the flavor, and gives the meat a chewier texture. Each order of Jokbal (Braised pigs' feet) is accompanied by Kongnamulkimchiguk (Bean sprout and kimchi soup), to which Kalguksumyeon (Noodles) are added. For those who find the dishes too spicy, the restaurant offers a self-serve Jumeokbap (Riceball), featuring laver flakes, pickled radish, and mayonnaise to cool the palate.

Eun&Jeong Myeongdong Dakgalbi (은앤정명동닭갈비)

2.4Km 2024-03-11

2FL, 19, Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-1988

Situated on Myeongdong Street, Eun&Jeong Myeongdong Dakgalbi specializes in dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken). They have a variety of menu options such as spicy stir-fried chicken and cheese and stir-fried chicken with garlic and soy sauce, so patrons can choose according to their preferences. In addition, rice cakes, sweet potatoes, noodles, and fried rice can be cooked together for a richer experience. In addition, customers have the option to other delectable dishes including budae jjigae (sausage jjigae), makguksu (buckwheat noodles), and samgye tang (ginseng chicken soup).

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.4Km 2025-07-11

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

2.4Km 2024-10-29

129, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1330

The alley that connects from Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station, Exit 4 is full of people eating dried young pollack and drinking beers at tables along the street every night. Under the bright lamp lights, plastic tables filled with customers can be seen. The first Nogari pub, Eulji OB Bear, opened in November 1980 to form what is now the Euljiro Nogari Alley. Euljiro also has the largest Printing Alley in the nation, providing printing for almost all books and printed materials across the country. The shift workers would stop by the pub for dried young pollack and cold beer before heading home after work, leading to more restaurants opening nearby until the alley was formed. In the beginning dried young pollack was cooked over a briquet fire and served with red pepper paste, but now, the alley is full of pubs and restaurants serving various types of food, but nothing beats nogari and cold draft beer.

Soonheenae Bindaetteok (순희네빈대떡)

2.4Km 2024-03-20

5 Jong-ro 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2264-5057

Soonheenae Bindaetteok is a stall located in Gwangjang Market known for its mung bean pancakes and meatballs. Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) is a dish made by grinding mung beans and mixing them with kimchi, bracken, and ground pork, then flattening and frying the mixture. Here, they grind mung beans on a millstone and fry the bindaetteok on the spot, resulting in a crispy and savory taste. The secret soy sauce dip complements the bindaetteok perfectly. Situated within the traditional market, the atmosphere is lively.

Hadongkwan (Main Store) (하동관(본점))

2.4Km 2024-03-04

12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-776-5656

Hadongkwan has maintained its reputation as a famous gomtang (beef bone soup) restaurant in Myeongdong since 1939, renowned for its consistent flavor. It has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide. One of its distinctive features is the generous serving of various cuts of beef, including brisket, intestines, and tripe, in a single bowl of beef soup. During lunch hours, it's common to wait in line due to its popularity. Once the daily supply runs out, the restaurant closes for the day, and payment is made in advance.

Wondang Gamjatang Myeongdong (원당감자탕 명동)

2.4Km 2024-03-11

1F, 35, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-7612

Located in Myeongdong, a central and tourist area of Seoul, Wondang Gamjatang offers gamja tang (pork backbone stew) as their signature dish. Patrons have the option to other delectable menu such as bulgogi, jokbal bossam (kimchi cabbage wraps with braised pigs' feet). It's popular with both Koreans and foreigners. As it's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, one can visit anytime.

Gwangjang Market (광장시장) - Area information - Korea travel information