No fast food restaurants or fancy restaurants are found in Namdaemun Market, but many kinds of the savory local foods served at the shabby restaurants and foods of street vendors give the feel of a genuine Korean traditional market. These shabby restaurants were originally for the shopkeepers, but now more tourists are seen here than the shopkeepers, who have come to try the famous taste themselves. Two noted food streets in Namdaemun, Galchi Street and Meokja Street, are hard to find, but worth visiting. Between Bon-Dong, C-Dong and D-Dong are open-air food vendors serving Bungeobbang (fish-shaped bread), Tteokbokgi, deep-fried snacks and so on.


Galchi Street
Walk down the market through the main street from Namdaemun Gate (about 50m), you will find Galchi street on your right housing about 10 restaurants densely packed together serving Galchi (hairtails) stew. The basic serving unit is for 2 persons. It might be fun to try the Korean way of eating Galchi stew by taking a bowl of rice and soup mixed together. Wangseong restaurant and Naegohyang restaurant have been popular on this street since 1988. Hirak restaurant is also famous for its crushed pots, located between Bon-dong and C-dong.

Open Hours: 03:00-20:00
Closed Day: Sundays


Meokja street
A variety of Korean snacks like Mandu (dumpling), Japchae (stir-fried noodles and vegetables), Tteokbokgi, red-bean porridge, Gopchang (steamed intestines), sundae, fried rice, and bibimbap are found on this street at inexpensive price.

Open 24 hours
Closed Day: none



Jokbal street
Near C-Dong crossroad are Jokbal (pork hock) restaurants. Jokbal looks ugly, but tastes fantastic. Takeout is possible.

Open Hours: 09:30-22:00
Closed Day: none