Now, we’re at Gwangjang Market. If you smell something nutty and very delicious, you're at the right place. Cross the road, and you’re at Gwangjang Market.
Oh, watch out for the cars. It’s not a busy street, but let’s be safe. Let me briefly explain the market’s history in a quiet place before you venture into the market.

Gwangjang Market is loved by many domestic and international visitors. I believe that the endless range of delicious food, fantastic hanbok and decorations, or quirky second-hand items is the reason.

Gwangjang Market has a market with a long history. It was first established in 1905, and it can be regarded as the first officially licensed market in Seoul. Of course, before Gwangjang Market, there was Baeogae Market nearby this area. The name comes from a single pear tree by the market, and it was one of the representative markets of Hanyang along with Chilpae Market outside Sungnyemun Gate. But Gwangjang Market is the first permanent market.

The emergence of Gwangjang Market that opened every day was to compete against the Japanese merchants who were spreading their influence into Jongno from their original zone near Sungnyemun Gate. This means that local Korean merchants and local capitalists joined forces to keep their livelihoods.


It seems fitting to the tradition and modern history of Jongno. At first, the market was operated under the name of Gwangjang Corporation. Among them was a great merchant Park Seung-jik. Park Seung-jik is the founder of the Park Seung-jik Store, which is the origin of the Doosan Group. So you can say that Gwangjang Market gave birth to a large corporation, in a sense.

Oh, I have to mention this part as well. Gwangjang Corporation operated Gwangjang Market that we know. The company also operated Dongdaemun Market, so the word was also used for both markets. Gwangjang Market was Dongdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Market was Gwangjang Market.

But later, Dongdaemun Market evolved into Dongdaemun Market Complex, and these two markets began to be referred to separately.

Anyhow, with the name Gwagnjang Market, if you know some Korean words, you might think that it might have a large clearing of some sort somewhere in it. Or, you might think that, considering the size of the market, it might have been the site of an old square. Some actually get this idea when they see the size of the market. In fact, people who first had the idea of creating a market intended to establish it between Gwangtonggyou Bridge(廣通橋) and Janggyo Bridge(長橋).

That is a place near the present-day Samil Building. So they took a syllable from Gwangtonggyo Bridge, Gwang(廣), and Jang of Janggyo Bridge(長) and named it(廣長市場)Gwangjang Market. Haha. The name has nothing to do with the similar-sounding Korean word Gwangjang(廣場), which means ‘square.’

But later on, the location of the actual market changed, so the meaning of the name was changed to ‘collecting from far and wide’ but kept the pronunciation ‘Gwangjang(廣藏)’. That’s right, there is no square in Gwangjang Market(廣藏市場) despite its name.

But ()Gwangjang Market has everything else but a square(廣場). Most of all, it has many eateries that offer delicious food. It is famous for Knife-cut noodles, Kimbap, Mung Bean Pancake, and Beef Tartare, but there are many other yummy dishes here. I often visit there myself, and the most textbook course at Gwangjang Market will involve buying items and having delicious food.

Oh, before I let you free at Gwangjang Market, let me tell you where we’re headed next. The next destination is Sewoon Arcade. Go back down to the Cheonggyecheon Stream Trail and continue in the direction that you were going. You’ll find Cheonggye Arcade and Sewoon Arcade above the steam. From there, come out to the side road of the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Today, we are walking Jongno Modern Trail’s Course 10, the Trail of History. Please don’t forget about your itinerary while you enjoy your time at Gwangjang Market. Then, I’ll meet you at the cozy little square between Sewoon Arcade and Cheonggye Arcade.