Namdaemun Market Tours

Namdaemun Market which includes a city, cbd and signage
This traditional Korean market is the largest and oldest in Seoul, and where you’ll find all manner of clothes and food at very reasonable prices.

Namdaemun is comprised of over 10,000 stores, stalls and vendors. Here you can buy anything from fishing gear to stationery, clothes and children’s toys. Even if you’re not looking to spend, Namdaemun is a colorful place to explore and soak up Korean culture. Mingle with locals doing their shopping, taste traditional food from street stalls and pick up souvenirs to take home.

The market was named after the nearby Namdaemun (Great South Gate). It has been operating in its current form since 1964, although there’s been some form of market here since the 15th century. The market is busy at any time of the day and night, so come when you’re in the mood for a little jostling and haggling. Allow at least a couple of hours to explore the market fully.

Namdaemun is a mixture of permanent stores housed in buildings and pop-up stalls lining the streets. Its lack of vehicle access means many goods are transported by bike or cart keep your wits about you when wandering the streets. 

Getting lost is part of the fun, but be sure to visit the underground arcade beneath Namdaemun-no to the north of the market.

You can find clothing, fabric and jewellery at wholesale prices throughout the market. Bargaining with vendors is widely accepted. That said, levels of English can be quite basic, so be prepared to spend some time agreeing on a price.

Namdaemun is a great place to eat. Dozens of stalls offer cheap and simple meals like mandu gook (dumpling soup) and bindae duk (mung bean pancake). 

To get to the market, take the subway to Hoehyeon. Namdaemun Market is open Monday through Saturday. Retailers are generally open during the day. Wholesalers operate from late at night through to the early morning. If you have children with you, watch them closely, as it’s easy to get lost. 

Plan a trip to see Namdaemun Market

Hotel Atrium
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Urban Place Gangnam
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Reviews of Namdaemun Market

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
194
" "5 - Excellent 46.52278177458034%
4 - Good
170
" "4 - Good 40.7673860911271%
3 - Okay
46
" "3 - Okay 11.031175059952039%
2 - Disappointing
6
" "2 - Disappointing 1.4388489208633093%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0.23980815347721823%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 19, 2019

Good place for accessories and clothing gifts. Inexpensive, overwhelming amount of inventory. Center cart areas at the end of the day will have 1000 won items worth sifting through.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Aug 13, 2019

If you're travelling here and going by yourself be sure to take note/remember where you came in from. Because namdaemun is so big and there are lots of ways you can go, it is easy to get lost/take a wrong turn

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Aug 6, 2019

Do not touch anything in the shops. Salespeople are not very friendly.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 17, 2019

You have to bargain!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 29, 2018

Shopping!  You can buy two pairs of eyeglasses for less than $100, including an in-store eye exam.

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