Ladies' Special: Tongin Market

I have always been fascinated with Korean Street Food that's why that was the first thing on my "to-do" (or shall I say, to-eat) list when I first visited the country.

It has always been Myeongdong for me for Streetfood but I'm glad I joined in the Korea Tourism Organization Ladies' Tour with fellow media partners and we had our own tour guide to bring us to another unique way to enjoy Korean Street Food - via Lunchbox using Old Korean Currency.

Tongin Market

This market dates back to June 1941.  According to our guide, the market consists of more than 75 stores in which you can try out authentic Korean Food, you can even buy fresh fruits and vegetables and even manufactured goods like shoes and clothing.

Here's what to do if you are a first-time visitor at Tongin Market.
Go straight to the "cashier" section wherein you pay 5,000KRW and you receive 10 brass coins (coins with hole that olden times use) which can be exchanged for various food.  1 coin is equivalent to 500KRW and most food costs around 1,000KRW to 2,000KRW.

Tip: Go with a friend and get different variety and share to try out more!

Just some of my favorites?

Tteokbokki or Stir-fried rice cakes

This particular stall has a photo of Lee Min Ho sitting and eating.  I have to try it too of course!

More Tteokbokki

Various fried chicken

Chicken skewers

Marinated chicken

For those who are scared of spicy food, they actually have a non-spicy version!  Still red in color but sweet as a honey with sesame seeds!  My favorite out of everything I had!  Well, fish tofu too!  :P

More variety of Ttheokbokki, sausages and chicken bits.

These pancakes look yummy too!  I am unsure what they are made off but they definitely smell yummy!

You can easily bring home a bag of Kimchi.

Their version of dumplings and "puto". 

Bean soup

But of course, you can also shop for fresh vegetables.

Ingredients and other miscellaneous items.

 Mind you, we only had 30 minutes to spare so we didn't roam around the whole Tongin Market.  Based from what the guide told us, there's even more on the second and third floor and more seats for visitors to sit and enjoy their "bento box", chopsticks and water are provided free on the second floor.

I have been to Myeongdong area for streetfood several times and I find Tongin Market to be the perfect choice if you want a mix of "cultural food tour".  I learn so much by just looking at people talk to each other, how customers line up for their favorite type of street food and how proud the sellers are with the food they provide.  With all the snacks that I tried, I can say, the food comes cheap but the taste and quality is indeed at par with restaurants.

Tongin Market
Address 18, Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hotline:  +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) 
For more info: +82-2-722-0911
Call center: Weekdays 09:00-18:00 / Saturday 09:00-13:00 / Sunday & National Holidays: No operations on national holidays and Sundays)

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!