2 Must-Visit Markets in Seoul: With a Super Popular Vending Machine Café and a Street Buffet

▲A highlight of Seoul’s Tongin Market: exchanging ancient coins for lunchboxes. (Photo/Reported by Cao Yuehua)

▲Seoul’s traditional markets aren’t just foodie paradises—they’re also becoming hotspots for social media influencers. Delicious food, great photo ops, and fun all in one place. (Photo/Reported by Cao Yuehua, same below.)

Reported and photographed by Cao Yuehua / Seoul, South Korea

Korean travel is booming—don’t miss out on thistraditional market adventureto experience the unique culture of Korean markets. Out of over 1,000 markets across South Korea, Seoul alone has more than 700. Though some have faded with time, the remaining 500 each offer their own charm—from hidden pastel-hued cafes to delightfully quirky lunchbox markets—perfect for satisfying both your food cravings and your Instagram aesthetic.

▲Seoul is home to over 500 markets, each with its own distinct character, and they’re bustling with crowds at noon.

Currently, around 370,000 people in Seoul make a living through markets. We’ve picked two standout markets to introduce—next time you visit Seoul, don’t just stick to Gwangjang Market. Also, a tip for travelers: unlike Taiwan’s early-opening markets, Seoul’s typically warm up around 9 AM, with the fullest variety appearing closer to noon.

▲Yeouido Market’s most famous fried chicken.

▲The market coexists peacefully with a supermarket, avoiding competition and instead highlighting each other’s uniqueness.

1. Yeouido Market

Yeouido Market is locatednear Exit 2 of Yeouido Station on the subway, not far from Hongdae. The market stretches about 250 meters and houses roughly 80 stalls.Established in the 1970s as the population around Seoul grew, Yeouido Market has since evolved to stay relevant, now appealing to younger crowds with artworks from Hongdae sold here. It’s also a prime example of a market that blends tradition with modernity by integrating a supermarket—rather than competing, they support each other. For instance, the supermarket doesn’t sell the market’s specialty items, and when the supermarket is closed, the market sells its goods at half price. This approach attracts crowds while maintaining a unique identity.

▲Zapangi is a recently popular café, beloved for its pastel aesthetic and its vending-machine-style door, which makes for great photos.

Step into this market, and you’ll find a dazzling array of seafood and produce. Locals highly recommend the Korean fried chicken here—it’s sweeter than Taiwan’s saltier version, offering a refreshing twist. The market also hidesKorea’s trendy vending-machine café “Zapangi,”which charms visitors with its pastel palette anda door that resembles a magical portal, along with an interior designed in a hipster style, decorated with plants to create a park-like vibe.It’s incredibly relaxing.

Yeouido Market
Phone: +82 2-335-3591
Hours: 10:00–21:00

Zapangi
Address: 400-2 Yeouido-dong
Phone: +82 2-325-8185
Hours: 11:00–23:00

▲Tongin Market is best known for exchanging ancient coins for lunchboxes.

2. Tongin Market

Locatednear Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on the subway, close to Gwanghwamun, Tongin Market isn’t very large—just about 300 meters in a straight line—but it has a captivating charm. Unlike conventional markets, it launched a lunchbox market on January 6, 2012, akin to a street buffet where visitors can exchange ancient bronze coins for their desired lunchbox items, turning the experience into a playful “food-themed adventure.”

▲Stalls marked with the character “통” (meaning “pass”) are part of the event.

▲Ancient bronze coins and black lunchboxes.

For 5,000 KRW, you get a string of 10 coins and a black lunchbox. Customers can then visit any stall marked with “통” to exchange their coins for food.Out of the market’s 80+ stalls, around 20 offer this service, with each dish costing between 1 to 4 coins. After shopping, you can dine in the three-story building in the market’s center, which also sells rice and hot soup. Unused coins can be exchanged for cash or taken home as souvenirs.

▲A wide variety of dishes, all authentic Korean cuisine.

What kind of dishes are available? Classic Korean fare, such as fried rice cakes, kimchi, egg rolls, kimbap, and blood sausage stir-fry. If you prefer something simpler, you can also pay with cash—but hunting for your lunchbox ingredients through the market is a delightful experience you won’t want to miss.

Lunchbox Market
Phone: +82-2-722-0911
Hours: 11:00–17:00 (Closed Mondays)