Top 10 Street Foods in Seoul (Including Markets) – 2025 Must-Visit Spots for Travelers
Whenever you come to Seoul, you can’t help but get excited about the foods you can only taste in local markets and alleys. At first, I used to think, “Market food? It’s probably just cheap and simple, right?” But honestly, on those blazing hot summer days, when sweat’s dripping down my face and I duck into a market alley, I suddenly feel so much more relaxed.
All around, you hear the familiar sound of stall owners shouting in their Seoul dialect, the cheerful clang of metal spatulas stirring up spicy tteokbokki—“Here’s another bowl!”—the sizzle of savory pancakes, and that sweet, syrupy scent rising from a hotteok someone just bit into. Seoul’s markets aren’t just a place to eat—they’re one giant street food festival.
Of course, when you travel, you always want to know the details: menu, price, hours, and where to find a place.
But for market food, what really matters is the local story. You find yourself asking, “Where’s the real hidden gem? Why is there such a long line at that stall? Can I park anywhere nearby?”
So instead of just reading reviews online, I braved the heat, wandered the alleys, chatted with locals, and found places that really matched my own taste.
Sometimes I’d end up sharing a donut and a few laughs with another traveler at a scruffy little cart, or get advice from a local elder: “You haven’t really tried this place until you finish all the tteokbokki sauce!”
These experiences made me realize I wasn’t just introducing food, but the entire atmosphere and memories that come with Seoul’s street markets.
So for these 4 spots, I’m sharing absolutely everything:
Operating hours and location
Inside and outside features
Parking information
The actual recommended menus for summer 2025
Four signature dishes for each place—with detailed descriptions and prices
I want you to feel as if you’re wandering the market with me, every little detail covered.
Every line of this post is packed with the nostalgia you can only get from Seoul’s markets, and the warmth of the people you meet there. Take your time, find the menu that makes your mouth water, and get ready to plan your own foodie adventure.
And when you finally make it to Seoul, even if you visit just one of these spots, I promise you’ll get a real taste of the city—something I recommend with confidence, both as a traveler and as a Seoul local.
🌙 Myeong‑dong Night Market Street Eats
Hours: Evening to late night (often 5pm–1am)
Location: Myeong‑dong shopping streets, Jung-gu
Top 4 Recommended Dishes for 2025
Tornado Potato – ~₩4,000
A visually striking spiral of potato threaded on a stick and deep-fried until crisp. Seasoned with everything from garlic‑cheese to spicy chili, it delivers a crunchy exterior and tender interior in every bite—like French‑fries met a potato chip. It’s not just a snack, it's street food theater, especially when pulled apart at the end like a potato accordion.
Egg Bread (Gyeran‑ppang) – ~₩2,000
Imagine a fluffy, sweet dough pill-shaped like a muffin, with a whole egg cracked right into the middle before cooking. The result is warm, slightly sweet with a savory touch—often topped with cheese, parsley or even ham. It's both visually pleasing and deeply satisfying. Born in the ’80s behind Inha University, it's become one of Korea’s most beloved street snacks.
Hotteok – ₩2,000–3,000
Thick discs of dough curled over sweet or savory fillings—usually brown sugar mixed with nuts, sometimes cinnamon or honey. Cooked flat until golden, the outside crisps up while the inside oozes warm, syrupy sweetness. A go-to winter snack that still shines year-round.
Skewered Meats (Dak‑kkochi, lamb skewers)
Chunks of chicken, pork, lamb, or beef are threaded onto skewers, grilled over open flames, and brushed with sauces like spicy gochujang or sweet soy. Each bite is smoky, juicy, and partly showmanship—the sizzle pulls you in before the flavor delivers satisfaction.
🌶️ Gwangjang Market Tteokbokki & Soondae Stalls (Jongno-gu, Gwangjang Market)
Hours: Food alley 9:00am–11:00pm, most shops 9:00am–6:00pm (open every day)
Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gwangjang Market)
Venue Details: Right in the heart of this historic market, food stalls line the walkway, each one steaming, sizzling, and bursting with color and noise. There’s an energy here you just don’t get anywhere else.
Parking: No dedicated parking—try Jongmyo Public Parking Lot nearby.
Top 3 Recommended Dishes for 2025
Tteokbokki (₩3,000)
Super chewy rice cakes, cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s simply irresistible. They always give you extra sauce, so you can dip your tempura or mayak gimbap as well. One bite and you’ll see this isn’t your ordinary tteokbokki—there’s a reason the locals line up here!
Soondae (₩7,000)
Sliced thick and packed with sticky rice, these blood sausages are next-level when you add tripe, lung, or liver. Each bite is rich and springy, especially with a dash of perilla seed salt. It’s the ultimate companion to the tteokbokki sauce and hot soup.
Mayak Kimbap (₩3,000)
These mini rolls are legendary for a reason. Dip them in tangy mustard sauce and you’ll get a rush of flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Even if there’s a line, this is a must-try in Gwangjang!
🥟 Jjanggu’s Fried Dumplings (Gyeongdong Market, Dongdaemun)
Hours: Usually 3:00am–7:00pm (closes early if sold out)
Address: 45 Gyeongdong Market-ro 10-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (inside Gyeongdong Market)
Venue Details: Famous enough to be featured on national TV, this little stall fries up dumplings non-stop. The line can get long even on weekdays, but the turnaround is quick and totally worth it.
Parking: No parking at the market; take public transport if you can.
Top 2 Recommended Dishes for 2025
Yaki Mandu (₩3,000 for 9 pieces)
The skin is so thin it practically shatters when you bite in, but the filling is juicy and packed with pork, glass noodles, and chives. Every mouthful has a perfect crunch on the outside and moist, flavorful filling inside. Super addictive!
Fried Seaweed Rolls (about ₩400 each)
Glass noodles wrapped in seaweed, battered and fried to crispy perfection. They’re the best sidekick for mandu or tteokbokki, especially dipped in soy sauce or even tteokbokki broth.
🍩 59 Wangsimni Glutinous Donuts (Wangsimni Market)
Hours: Roughly 9:00am–10:00pm (times can vary since it’s a street stall)
Address: Wangsimni Market, Wangsimni-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Venue Details: Donuts are fried fresh all day at this tiny cart, with mountains of golden, crispy treats on display. The price-to-flavor ratio is unbeatable!
Parking: Try a nearby public parking lot.
Top 3 Recommended Dishes for 2025
10 Glutinous Donuts (₩2,000)
Piping hot and freshly fried, the outside is crunchy while the inside is chewy and dense with sweet red bean paste. These are perfect for snacking as you stroll the market.
20 Glutinous Donuts (₩4,000)
Take some home for family or friends. They’re light and not greasy, so even a big box seems to disappear in no time.
30 Glutinous Donuts (₩6,000)
Great for parties or gifts—when they’re fresh, you really taste that soft, chewy glutinous rice.
🔚 Why This Market Tour Matters
Seoul’s street food scene isn’t just about quick bites—it’s a cultural tapestry weaving together post-war resilience, communal flavor traditions, and ever-evolving tastes. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning foodie, these meals offer more than sustenance—they give you a door into the city’s beating heart. From nostalgic markets to creative DIY meals, every dish is a gateway to Seoul’s flavorscape. Take that bite, feel the hum of the crowd, hear the sizzle—and taste Korea in its most genuine form.
Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Gwangjang—these markets were named among the top must-visit culinary experiences in Seoul by global guides.
Image Source:
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