Eating on a Budget at Mangwon Market (So Much Food)

Thanks to social media and Netfilx, when it comes to traditional Korean markets, Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is typically at the top of everyone’s list. While it is aesthetically appealing, I would argue that there are plenty of other markets far more worthy of a spot on your itinerary.

For my money, Mangwon Traditional Market (망원시장) has been a long time favorite of mine. It’s not massive compared to some markets, but that’s part of the charm. It’s smaller, more manageable, packed with personality and it’s been around for over 40 years. You’ll find fresh produce, dried goods, snacks, street-food stalls and even hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Not only is it a great place to sample all sorts of delicious Korean snacks, it’s also the perfect spot to get the best bang for your buck. Recently, I took on a 14,000 KRW (10 USD) challenge to get the most out of the market.

Kalguksu, or Knife-Cut Noodles (칼국수)

Having not eaten that day, I decided to start of with a hot bowl of kalguksu. Kalgugsu is a Korean knife-cut noodle soup. There is a spot in the market where you can watch the noodles being made fresh before being thrown into huge boing vats of savory soup. Hongdukke Son Kalguksu (홍두깨손칼국수) gives you a very generous bowl topped with green onion, seaweed and sesame seeds and it will only cost you 5,000 KRW or 6,000 KRW if you want to add a hit of nutty savory crushed perilla seeds on top. It is incredibly filling, so be sure to visit with an appetite.

Sikhye Slushy (식혜 슬러시)

There aren’t a whole lot of drink options outside of coffee in the market, but a refreshing cup of sikhye (식혜) is perfect after a warm bowl of soup. Sikhye is a traditional sweet Korean rice punch, usually served as a dessert. I found a vendor selling it in slushy form for 3,000 KRW and it did not disappoint. It’s made from malted barley and cooked rice, so you get this gentle, toasty flavor from the grains, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. I personally like the little bits of soft rice in it that add a fun chewy texture.

Oreo Heotteok (오레오 호떡)

You can’t go to a traditional market without trying at least one type of hotteok. Hotteok is a flour dough pancake typically fried on an oiled griddle and packed with gooey melted sugar, seeds and nuts. Different places make it with different techniques and even different flavors. While a basic hotteok will only set you back 1,000 KRW, I had my eye set on a unique Oreo heotteok for 2,000 KRW. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as sweet as I expected. I did enjoy the extra crunchy texture it added to the overall softness of the pancake. And honestly, I just love Oreos.

Tteok (떡)

In all honesty, my favorite thing to get at a traditional market are freshly made rice cakes. There are so many different ones to choose from and sometimes you can even find seasonal or special rice cakes like ones with an entire oreo steamed into in them. The texture is always softy and chewy and the flavor lightly sweetened. My go to are always these flower shaped steamed makgeolli rice cake called sultteok (술떡). But you can never go wrong with some colorful honey filled rice cakes, or kkultteok (꿀떡). I picked up a pack of both for only 3,000 KRW.

14,000 KRW (10 USD) is more than enough to get one person completely and utterly stuffed. If you forego an actual meal and go for more of a snacksploration kind of vibe, you can definitely get way more and probably enough for two people.