Mangwon Market: Budget Friendly Good Food in Mapo-gu

Did you know there are traditional farmer’s markets located all around in Seoul? Every district has them and while some are more popular for tourists like Gwangjang Market and Tongin Market, the rest still offer great food, budget friendly groceries, and you can usually get to know your vendors and make some connections in your community too.

Mangwon Market (망원시장) is our local traditional market here in Mapo-gu. Mangwon Market has some good eats and it’s within close proximity to Hongdae and the Han River so it’s easy to stop by, grab some food and be on your way. Though it’s not as memorable as the above mentioned, that hasn’t stopped Korean television crews from stopping by with their famous MCs and idol spokespeople to eat up the grub because there is some delicious grub in this hub.

What to know when you go to Mangwon Market:

• How To Get There
• Join a tour
• What To Eat and Buy
  • Kalguksu
  • Jokbal
  • Chicken bites
  • Croquettes
  • Fresh Produce

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How To Get There

Address: 411 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 망원동 411)

Directions: Mangwon Station, exit 2. Coming out of the station make a u-turn to the right and walk into the neighborhood about 5 minutes or so and the entrance to the market will come up on your right.

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Join a tour

There are some great cooking classes in Seoul and there are a few centered around the popular Mangwon Traditional Market. Join a cooking class in the Mangwon area that includes a visit to the Mangwon Traditional Market.

Korean Kimchi Making Experience

Learn how to make four types of kimchi including two cabbage kimchis (배추김치), a raddish kimchi (깍두기김치), and a cucumber kimchi (오이소박) with a small group of students, four people maximum. Whether you’re a tourist or a local looking to impress some Korean in-laws, this is a great opportunity to learn how to make the iconic Korean side dishes.

• Book this experience on Viator

Korean Bibimbap and Pancakes Experience

Get hands-on and make bibimbap and sanjeok pancakes and then sit down to a Hanjeongsik meal, or a splendid array of Korean side dishes, rice, and the delicious food you put together.

• Book this experience on Viator or on Klook.

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What To Eat and Buy

Mangwon Market is a great local market where we would go just for produce and get lunch while we were there, but if you’re a tourist to the area there are some must-eats and some great Korean food.

Kalguksu

There’s a super popular kalguksa restaurant in the center of the market. There is almost always a line, though if you stop by between meal times, you could probably walk right in. If you do happen to be waiting in line, you can watch as they make the kalguksu noodles right in front of the shop though.

Kalguksu is handmade wheat flour noodles in a broth with some vegetables topping it off. The bowls of soup are delicious and not to mention super cheap. You can order janchiguksu, sujaebi, or their popular kalguksu. Really depends how hungry you are. Janchiguksu is a lighter noodle so better if you’re not super hungry while sujaebi and kalguksu are heavier. Try one or try them all and see which one is your favorite. At this stall, they’re all worth the bite.

Jokbal

There is another central vendor that is known for some DELICIOUS jokbal or pig’s trotters. They simmer away for hours until the meat is nice and tender. We’ve been known to pick some up on the way to the Han River so we can have a picnic and watch the sunset. We’ve enjoyed lots of jokbal and I must say, from experience, don’t ever buy it from the big mainstream grocery stores. It really just isn’t as good. But from the farmer’s markets like this, oooooh it’s good.

Chicken bites

There’s a stall in the central area solely focused on bite size dakganjang, or chicken bites. There’s always a line for the goods here. When you get to the front, you can choose from a large variety of chicken bites that have been doused in different sauces. They’ve been featured on quite a few variety shows, so don’t expect their popularity to dwindle. You can get cheesy chicken bites, sweet and sour chicken bites, spicy chicken bites and more. If you like chicken, you’ll like this stall.

Croquettes

An item that has become very popular at Mangwon market for whatever reason is croquettes. There are actually two vendors that sit opposite each other competing to make the most sales. I might be making the competition up. They could be working in tandem. Not sure on that. But they both end up with lines to their croquette goods. If you’ve never tried them, the kimchi croquettes, japchae croquettes, and cream cheese croquettes are our favorites. But get one of each and try as many as you can and see what you like.

Fresh produce

Most locals in the area head to the market to get their groceries. The local market is by far the place to shop to get your food at bottom dollar. This stuff is direct from farmer to vendor to mouth. Some of the vendors are the farmers, or farmer’s wives so you’re sure to be getting some good locally grown crops. Really the produce and the prices can’t be beat.

I know that a lot of people find the mainstream big grocery stores more convenient, but honestly, if you’re living on a budget in Korea or trying to save money, you need to shop at the traditional markets. Additionally, they aren’t like they used to be where you had to carry around cash all of the time. They take payment in card, T-Money card, and more now too so it’s super convenient.

One of my favorite things to do is to talk to the vendors as well and ask them how to make stuff. As they are the local farmer, they want you to buy their food and they want you to come back. The old women know what is good for what and when.

I know when it’s time to make our garlic side dish because these ladies tell me. Tons of cucumbers for low low prices? Must be time to make the cucumber side dishes. If you want to try Korean traditional teas, you can get those here too and the ajjummas can help you pick them out.

If you’re not sure about making your own side dishes, well there’s even a vendor for that too. They’ve got it all done and whipped up. All you have to do is tell them how much you want and you’ll be on your way with a bagful of Korean side dish goodness.

One of my favorite vendors is the guy that makes his own tofu. It’s the best in town and much better than that prepackaged stuff at the store. The guy has a big block of tofu and when you rock up, he slices off a hunk just for you. He even has some to taste on the front of the table too, if you want to make sure he’s got the good stuff. But he really does.

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Mangwon Market isn’t as touristy as the downtown traditional markets, but is actually quite touristy with Koreans. While locals like myself shop there on the weekdays to avoid them, on the weekends, you’ll see a ton of visitors coming to the market to get their lunch and dinner so be prepared for that. If you live nearby, go during the week for an easier shopping experience. 

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