A local's honest review of Gwangjang Market in 2025. Avoid the 'Assorted Jeon' scam, learn the survival protocol, and find better alternatives like Ma
Let’s be honest. You watched "Street Food Fighter" or that Netflix lady eating knife-cut noodles, and you thought, “Wow, authentic Seoul vibes! I must go there.”
Stop right there. Put down your itinerary. ๐
As a local living in Seoul for over 10 years, I need to burst your bubble. Gwangjang Market is no longer the "heart of Seoul." It has become a theme park for tourists—a crowded, overpriced, greasy theme park where the ride is getting yelled at by an angry lady because you didn't pay in cash.
If you are expecting a peaceful culinary journey, you are walking into a nightmare. Here is the unfiltered truth about the "Netflix Market" and why you might want to skip it (or how to survive if you are stubborn enough to go anyway).
The "Netflix Effect" is a Curse, Not a Blessing
Here is a story from last week. I took my American friend, Mike, to Gwangjang because he insisted. He wanted that "famous" Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). ๐
We arrived at 11:30 AM. The line was already wrapping around the block. We waited for 45 minutes in the humidity, smelling car exhaust and sewage from the nearby drain. When we finally sat down on the cramped bench, we were literally shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. I’m talking skin contact.
Mike tried to take a photo. The lady serving the noodles slapped the table and shouted, "Order first! Order!" We hadn't even settled in.
The noodles? They were... fine. Just fine. But were they worth sweating for an hour and being treated like cattle on a conveyor belt? Absolutely not. ๐ ♂️
The Reality Check:
The Crowd: It’s not "bustling." It is suffocating. You cannot walk; you shuffle. If you are claustrophobic, do not even go near Exit 8 of Jongno 5-ga. ๐ถ♂️๐จ
The Hygiene: Let's keep it real. I saw a rat the size of a small cat casually strolling near the drain last summer. Open-air markets are never sterile, but the sheer volume of trash piling up in Gwangjang these days is next level. ๐
The "Assorted Jeon" Scam (Please Read This)
If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: ⚠️ DO NOT ORDER THE "ASSORTED JEON (๋ชจ๋ฌ์ )."
This is the number one complaint on Reddit right now. You sit down at a stall, and the lady suggests the "Mix Platter" for 15,000 KRW to 20,000 KRW ($11~$15 USD). You think, “Great, I can try everything!”
What you actually get is a mountain of the cheapest items: flour-heavy pancakes, imitation crab sticks, and maybe one tiny piece of meat hidden at the bottom. It is a pile of greasy disappointment. They pre-fry these stacks hours ago and just heat them up in a microwave or a lukewarm pan when you order. It tastes like oil and regret. ๐คข
Real Failure Story (from Reddit user u/SeoulSearching99): "I felt so scammed. The lady refused to sell me a single Mungbean pancake (which is cheap) and forced the 'Set Menu' on me. It was cold in the middle. I paid $15 for cold flour."
The "Cash Only" Tax Evasion
"Card machine broken." "Cash only for small orders." "Discount for cash."
Lies. All lies. ๐ณ❌
In 2025, even my grandmother sells sweet potatoes on the street with a bank transfer QR code. These stalls make thousands of dollars a day, yet they act like they can't process a credit card. They just don't want to pay taxes. If you don't have cash, they will look at you with disgust. Prepare to run to an ATM with grease on your fingers., ๐ธ
Okay, Dudu... So, Where Should I Go Instead?
I'm not just here to complain. I want you to have good food. If you want the actual market vibe without the "Tourist Tax," go here:
Alternative: Mangwon Market (๋ง์์์ฅ) ✨
Vibe: Young, hip, mostly locals, and clean.
Food: Deep-fried chili peppers, Marshmallow ice cream, and actual good Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken).
Location: Mapo-gu (Near Hongdae).
Why it's better: You can actually walk. The sellers smile. You can use your card.
Alternative: Tongin Market (ํต์ธ์์ฅ) ๐ช
Vibe: Fun and interactive.
Food: Oil Tteokbokki (It's polarizing, but famous).
Uniqueness: They have a "Yeopjeon (Brass Coin)" system where you buy coins and build your own lunch box from different stalls. It’s a gimmick, but a fun one.
"I Don't Care, Dudu. I Still Want to Go to Gwangjang."
Fine. You are stubborn. I respect that. If you must go, you need a battle plan. Do not wander aimlessly, or you will be eaten alive (financially). ๐ก️
The Survival Protocol:
The "No-Eye-Contact" Rule: When you walk down the main aisle, the aunties (Ajummas) will wave menus in your face and try to usher you to their bench. Do not make eye contact. Keep walking. If you sit at a random stall in the middle aisle, you lose. ๐ ♀️
The Only Thing Worth Eating: Ignore the dumplings. Ignore the Kimbap (it's called "Drug Kimbap," but honestly, it's just MSG and sesame oil). Go for Yukhoe (Raw Beef). There is a specific alley for Raw Beef. It is separated from the chaotic street food section. ๐ฅฉ
Target: Buchon Yukhoe (Michelin Guide listed). Yes, there is a line, but it moves fast, and because it's a proper restaurant, it's clean, and they accept cards. ๐งพ
The Route (Don't Get Lost):
Start: Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8.
The Trap: You will see a massive line blocking the entrance. That is the famous Twisted Donut line. Skip it. It’s just dough and sugar. You can get this anywhere in Korea. ๐ฉ
The Move: Walk past the donut line. Enter the North Gate 2. Walk straight until you see the intersection.
The Turn: Turn LEFT into the fabric section if you want to see the vintage clothing (2nd floor). Turn RIGHT and look for the signs with RED and YELLOW neon lights. You will see tanks with live octopuses outside. That is the entrance to Yukhoe Alley to find the Yukhoe shops. ๐
Final Verdict
Is Gwangjang Market iconic? Yes. Is it a good place to have dinner? No.
It’s a place to go for 20 minutes, take one photo for your Instagram to prove you were there, realize your shoes are sticky, and then leave to eat real food somewhere else. Don't let the Netflix edit fool you. Seoul has better food than cold pancakes served by a grumpy lady. ๐ธ๐
Next time, I’ll tell you about the "Han River Picnic" reality vs. expectation. (Spoiler: It involves delivery bike accidents and mosquito swarms). ๐ฆ๐ด♂️
❓ Dudu’s Question: Have you ever been scammed at a tourist trap? Tell me your horror story in the comments. Let's vent together.
See you in the streets, Dudu
COMMENTS