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Korean Food Tour: Famous Markets and Food Streets

Famous Korean food markets and streets and what to eat there, with 5 Korean phrases for ordering, with audio and a quick quiz.

  • Songjeong-dong Tteokgalbi Street (광주 송정동 떡갈비 골목)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Gwangju · Gwangsan-gu

    Songjeong-dong Tteokgalbi Street

    광주 송정동 떡갈비 골목

    A street of around 20 restaurants serving tteokgalbi, grilled patties of minced galbi. Unlike most places that use only beef, Songjeong-dong mixes beef and pork, a change made in the 1990s to keep prices the same in hard times. Meals come with a bone broth slow-cooked from pork bones, kelp and radish.

    Hours and closed days vary by restaurant.

  • Gwangju Yangdong Market (광주 양동시장)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Gwangju · Seo-gu

    Gwangju Yangdong Market

    광주 양동시장

    It began in the 1910s as a market held on days ending in 2 and 7, on the sandy riverbank under Gwangjugyo Bridge. During the May 18 Democratic Uprising, its merchants gave food, drinks and medicine to the citizens and joined the movement. Today it is one of Korea's best-known traditional markets, selling fruit, vegetables, skate, chicken and much more.

    Open 07:00-21:00 (varies by store). Closed on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month.

  • Namgwangju Market (남광주시장)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Gwangju · Dong-gu

    Namgwangju Market

    남광주시장

    A market that grew up around the old Namgwangju Station in Gwangju. The station has closed, but the market is still famous for fresh fish, which arrives every morning between 2 and 5 a.m., so the raw-fish restaurants around it serve very fresh fish at affordable prices.

    Closed the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month; shop hours vary. Parking and restrooms are available. Come early in the morning for the freshest fish.

  • 1913 Songjeong Station Market (1913송정역시장)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Gwangju · Gwangsan-gu

    1913 Songjeong Station Market

    1913송정역시장

    A market that opened in 1913 together with Songjeong Station and was redesigned around the theme of time when it reopened in 2016. It sits right across the street from Gwangju-Songjeong KTX Station, and its shop signs tell each shop's history. Stop by for classic market snacks before or after a train ride.

    Open 11:00-22:00 (Mon-Thu) and 11:00-23:00 (Fri-Sun). Closed on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Public parking nearby.

Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사), via TourAPI. Photos are shown as provided, uncropped. Facts are checked against VisitKorea and official festival sites, and the descriptions are our own. Dates can change, so check the official site before you travel.