Ready for the ultimate food coma? Dudu takes you through Gwangjang Market to find the best Bindaetteok, Mayak Kimbap, and the famous Netflix Lady! ๐
It was 2:15 PM on a Tuesday, and I was crying in public.
Not the "cute movie" cry. I’m talking about the "total system failure" cry—snot running, ears ringing, and eyes leaking like a broken faucet. My crime? Trusting a tourist friend’s dare to try the "Dark Maroon Tteokbokki" at Gwangjang Market.
In Korea, we have a saying: If the sauce looks like purple blood, run. I didn't run. I took a massive bite.
Since the stall didn't sell milk, I did the only logical thing a local would do: I grabbed a bottle of ice-cold Makgeolli (Rice Wine). Ten minutes later, I was slightly tipsy, physically traumatized, but spiritually enlightened.
Welcome to Gwangjang Market—the "Food Cathedral" of Seoul, where your diet goes to die, and your soul comes to life.
The "I’m Not Leaving Without These" Checklist
If you survive the spice, you owe it to yourself to hit the legendary trio. Forget fancy tables; here, we practice the "Butt-room" etiquette. You find a heated wooden bench, you scooch over to make room for a stranger, and you eat like family.
1. Bindaetteok (The Crispy MVP) ๐ฅ Imagine a pancake made of mung beans, ground on a stone mill right before your eyes, and deep-fried until it’s crunchy enough to be heard from space.
The Pro Move: Do not eat it plain. Dip it in the onion-soy sauce and eat one crunchy onion with every single bite. It cuts through the grease like a dream.
2. Mayak Kimbap (The "Narcotic" Roll) ๐ Don't worry, the police won't arrest you. They call it "Mayak" (drug) because it’s dangerously addictive. It’s just simple carrot, radish, and spinach, but the mustard dipping sauce is a spiritual experience. Without the sauce, it’s a snack. With it? It’s a revelation.
3. Yukhoe (The Brave Choice) ๐ฅฉ Yes, it’s raw beef. Yes, there’s a raw egg on top. But Gwangjang has a dedicated "Yukhoe Alley" for a reason. Go to Buchon Yukhoe (the one with the Michelin sticker). It’s sweet, fresh, and served with crisp Korean pear. It’s the ultimate test of a "local" palate.
⚠️ The DuDu Survival Scale: How Brave Are You?
Forget standard ratings. This is the Gwangjang Difficulty Scale for your next visit:
Level: Total Newbie ๐ข – Bindaetteok & Kimbap. Safe, fried, and universally loved. Even your pickiest friend will ask for seconds.
Level: Foodie Explorer ๐ก – Kalguksu (Hand-cut Noodles). You’ll be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, dodging steam and flying flour. Look for the "Netflix Lady" in the pink jacket—she’s the real deal.
Level: Absolute Legend ๐ด – Sannakji & Yukhoe. Wriggling octopus tentacles and raw beef. This is the "Main Character" move.
๐บ️ DuDu’s "Efficient Eater" Route
Start: Enter via North Gate 2.
Appetizer: Grab a Kimbap immediately to hold while walking.
Main Event: Find a Bindaetteok sit-down spot in the center crossing.
Dessert: Exit towards Cheonggyecheon Stream and grab a twisted donut (Kkwabaegi).....
๐ฐ The "Full Belly" Budget Breakdown
How much cash should you bring? Here is my receipt from yesterday:
| Item | Price (KRW) | Price (USD) |
| Bindaetteok | ₩5,000 | ~$3.80 |
| Mayak Kimbap | ₩4,000 | ~$3.00 |
| Makgeolli | ₩4,000 | ~$3.00 |
| Total | ₩13,000 | ~$9.80 |
| Verdict: Under $10 for a food coma? Yes, please. | |
๐ก DuDu’s "Know Before You Go" Secrets
Before you jump on Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga Station (Exit 8), keep these in mind:
Cash is King (Sort of): While many stalls now take cards, having 10,000 or 20,000 won in cash makes the "sit-eat-dash" workflow much smoother.
Solo Friendly? 100%. I go alone all the time (especially when I need a solo Makgeolli session). No one judges a person eating noodles alone in the steam.
The "Freshness" Factor: People ask if street food is clean. Listen, the turnover here is so high that the food doesn't have time to get old. It’s arguably fresher than a quiet sit-down restaurant!
Bottom line: Gwangjang is loud, it’s crowded, and it smells like fried heaven. It’s the heartbeat of Seoul. Just... please, for the love of everything holy, watch out for the dark maroon sauce.
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