Being Korea's biggest traditional market, Namdaemun Market is definitely worth a visit for those interested in exploring the locals' market. There are markets in Singapore, what we call 巴刹 or Pasar in Malay, but nothing quite as big as Namdaemun Market. The variety of goods sold will amaze you I promise!
Address: 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 남대문시장4길 21 (남창동)
How to get there: Hoehyeon Station (Subway line 4, exit 5)
Closed every Sunday
Before you even step into the buildings, the maze of shops outside will leave you dumbfounded, and not knowing where to start. I, for once, decided to get lost in the rows and alleys of shops, and just explore. The market sells food products, baby goods, clothes, shoes, bags, daily necessities, household goods, accessories, pet accessories, etc, and the variety just goes on.
Military clothes
Hiking wear
Clothes for pets
Pretty hats
Shoes for kids
One thing I'm still amazed about the Koreans - how they can drive into cracks and cervices. I salute their driving skills.
Underground section of the market
Shops selling imported goods
Clothes section
Kitchenware
Household products
Cute Sanrio household products
Traditional folk items
Victorian style decorative items at the household section
Vintage items I really wanted to bring home!
Mobile charms of my favourite kpop idols!
And of course, no traditional market will be complete without.. local food!! Along one of the streets, you can find a whole stretch of stalls selling street food - Ddeokbokki, kimchi pancakes, sundae, steamed buns, deep fried fishcakes, hot ddeok, etc! You will be spoilt for choice!
One characteristic that I find similar in Koreans and Singaporeans - they love to queue! Haha! And, being the typical Singaporean in Korea, I just had to find out how nice the buns were to deserve a long queue.
Handmade king mandu (왕만두) - One for 600 krw. I bought one to try while the others bought in dozens. It was not bad, but nothing compared to the ones I've tried in Taiwan.
In my opinion, THIS is the kind of street food to be tried in Korea. Deep-fried fishcake with sausage and crabsticks. Horrible for your diet, but satisfying for your tummy.
The fishcake sticks were made on the spot!
3,000krw for 1 stick, and that was my dinner for the day!
Namdaemun Market is probably too big to explore in a day, so go early, and do targeted shopping! Things are really cheap there since it's also a wholesale market, so most of the time I don't bother to bargain any further. Have fun!
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