Tongin Market
Tongin Market
4
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Neighbourhood: Jongno-gu
How to get there
- Gyeongbokgung • 8 min walk
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Best nearby
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2,916 within 3 miles
Attractions
771 within 6 miles
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4.0
152 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
63
Average
35
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Ceci T
Washington DC, DC331 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This is a very lively street market with a great concept to sample all the amazing food. You go to the coin store to buy a tray/lunchbox and 5,000 won worth of coins and this allows you to buy food at the different vendors and fill your tray. You can then go back to the coin store to eat comfortably and buy extra soup and rice as needed. Such a lively, fun market!
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
globalplanespotter
Singapore, Singapore85 contributions
Sept 2019
I spent less than half an hour walking up and down the street, then off to Myeong-dong i go! The main attraction is getting yourself a disposable bento container (i wouldn't call it a box), and load it up with food as you walk along the street, hence making your own lunchboxes. The food isnt all that nice and there is hardly any variety. I have seen people struggling to get their containers loaded with food. I suggest to walk along the street to gauge how appealing the food there is to you. If you are ok with it, then proceed to buy the bento container.
Written 30 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
badcarissa
Fort Meade, MD95 contributions
May 2019 • Family
I LOVED the coin thing--probably because I just really like old-timey stuff. We were a bit stupid and wandered through about 3 times before we realised we had to go up the the 2nd floor cafe to buy the tray and coins (this was a Tuesday, I'm guessing there might be more options on a weekend), but once we found what we were doing it was a great way to sample a lot of food. Basically 4 bucks for a whole tray? I'm sold.
Written 24 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nilintentum_reliquit
Melbourne, Australia2,600 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Stopped here on our bike tour and is on the bus route. Picked up a meal tray for W5000 and you also receive 10 coins which can be exchanged for various snacks from the many hawkers. Marinated chicken, bean pancakes, seafood, noodle parcels and battered vegetables were wonderful to try. Personally as a visitor I would not go here for the shopping just the food sampling experience.
Thanks for the vote if you found this review helpful.
Thanks for the vote if you found this review helpful.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHL
Seoul, South Korea9,341 contributions
Oct 2019
It's a traditional market in Tongin-dong(Seochon Area). Good to come by as a food tour.
- Organizing a lunchbox with coins seems to be popular. But, it's not necessary if you just wish to get some snacks and drinks.
- Foods here are affordable and nice. For drinks, there are sikhye(rice juice), draft beer, slushes and so on. We also liked kkwabaegi(twisted bread) at the entrance. There's a little resting area nearby and people chill out there.
- Organizing a lunchbox with coins seems to be popular. But, it's not necessary if you just wish to get some snacks and drinks.
- Foods here are affordable and nice. For drinks, there are sikhye(rice juice), draft beer, slushes and so on. We also liked kkwabaegi(twisted bread) at the entrance. There's a little resting area nearby and people chill out there.
Written 3 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iche
QC246 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
The place to be for one who wants to try every Korean street food! For ₩5,000 change your money to old coins to buy food in the market. Eating area is on 2nd and 3rd floor. Crowded place but filling food.
Written 24 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nade
Liverpool, UK156 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
The coin lunchbox scheme is great - I really recommend the spicy tteokbokki. Many stalls have vegetarian friendly options too.
Written 13 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyTravelerSarah
Singapore, Singapore335 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Tongjin market did a great marketing job in selling a lunchbox experience buying with old copper coins at limited number of food stalls in a small market. The variety of food are limited although it was authentic traditional snacks. The coins could also be used for rice, delicious bowl of soup or even coffee at the small second floor cafe. There is also seating on the third floor. Merchandise like small souvenirs and soft toy with copper coin concept was sold. It was a sunny day so it was warm in the small cafe. Overall, I felt the marketing hype was greater than the actual experience. I saw teachers bringing their students here for an educational experience which was great for the children. Reduce your expectations and you may enjoy it more.
Written 27 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abingsyu
Philippines201 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Coming to Tong-in market is my 2nd round from my 3 trips to Korea.
This place offers affordable simple food yet, something unique and not all Asian countries have.
The food here are mostly on sticks, meat and rice cake are the food choices here.
You need to purchase the coins which is about Korean Won 5000, that’s around US$5.
Came back here on a Saturday, jam pack of people. Recommend to try come on weekdays, the foot traffic may be more minimize.
I would highly recommend this place, it’s worth an experience either family or friends.
This place offers affordable simple food yet, something unique and not all Asian countries have.
The food here are mostly on sticks, meat and rice cake are the food choices here.
You need to purchase the coins which is about Korean Won 5000, that’s around US$5.
Came back here on a Saturday, jam pack of people. Recommend to try come on weekdays, the foot traffic may be more minimize.
I would highly recommend this place, it’s worth an experience either family or friends.
Written 21 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tienne2001
Dallas, TX454 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
If you want to taste authentic Korean food made by ahjumma and not expensive, then this is the place to visit. With US$5, we can buy many side dishes and just add rice. It's closed at 4 pm. I was here around 3:20 pm and geez...it's still so crowded. It's not easy to find seats and had to share tables with others. Don't expect the place to be clean, as this is a traditional market. The food is tasty and many of them are salty and spicy...😛😛
Written 23 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone confirm if the market is open on MONDAYS? I have seen multiple postings/websites saying that it closed and open, so not sure. Thanks.
Written 29 March 2023
Hello! Will Doshirak cafe be open this Sunday? (22nd September)?
Written 17 September 2019
Adelie
Chandler, Arizona
Is Tongin Market open on Sunday? Is the Dosarik Cafe open on Sunday?
Written 11 April 2019
How do you get to Tongin Market by subway?
Written 9 April 2016
It's about 5 minutes walk away from the exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung station(line 3).
Written 15 November 2017
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