My fifth full day in South Korea was one for the books, as my boy Sam and I were finally able to properly explore the mouthwatering world of Korean street food in Seoul! But first, we visited an awesome local museum! Come along with us as we learn about modern-day Korea and eat our way through Tongin Market! Let’s go!
Our fifth morning in South Korea continued at the Cheongwadae Sarangchae Museum, where the exhibits are all about modern-day Korea. There was a display of all of the Korean presidents from 1948 to 2017, which is called the Wall of Presidents. The first one served for 12 years! Below each president’s picture is a list of their accomplishments. It was fascinating!
In the next room was a bright display showing photos of the must-visit tourist spots in South Korea. There are lots of beautiful rural areas that neither of us knew about! Across from it was an interactive, multi-lingual map that has lots of information about locations around the country, including markets!
There was also a display about Korean street food! On the second floor is a special exhibit called Dear Korea, which is about the Democratic movement and the protests and stages that got Korea to where it is today. We learned about the Blue House!
Then, we walked to the Tongin Market, which dates back to 1941 and has 75 stalls and shops! I couldn’t wait to check it out. We only had 80 minutes to explore! It was a covered market that reminded me of Nishiki Market in Kyoto.
There were lots of fruits and vegetables and butchers selling meat. I even saw bakeries and seaweed! But we were looking for the street food and found some in the form of kimchi-jeon, which is a type of Korean pancake! It only cost us $1!
I love kimchi and pancakes and it did not disappoint! It was the most delicious pancake of all time! It was spicy and I loved the crunch and the moistness!
While I was eating, I met some new fans and got them to subscribe!
Next, we found 20 types of kimchi and a long gimbap filled with vegetables. It costs 1,000 won for one, or about $1 each. They contain seaweed, rice, and vegetables like onion and carrot. It was very crunchy, with little rice, some pork or beef, and lots of yummy veggies. I loved how fresh and healthy it was!
Next was one of my favorite Korean street food dishes, tteok-bokki. They’re spicy, stir-fried rice cakes that are covered in a rich, red sauce. They were nice and chewy, with the consistency of a mochi, but not sweet. I could eat this all day! It cost 3,000 won, or a little under $3 USD.
Our next stop was to get some fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce. It looks spicy because the sauce is red, but it’s not at all. It tastes so fresh and was like organic popcorn chicken. I was in love with it! I would have loved some spice on it, but it was still amazing.
Then we had some oden, or hot pot, which is one of my favorite things to eat in China and Japan. This one was a spongy fish cake, which tasted a lot like fish balls. It cost only 500 won, or $0.50 for one! It was so good!
Next, I had a traditional rice drink called Sikhye, which has grains in the bottom and is similar to sugarcane juice. It costs 1,000 won, or about $1 USD. It was so refreshing and sweet and perfect on a hot day!
Next was hotteok, a Korean pancake with honey and pine nuts. It’s super hot and greasy. It was oozing out and so sweet. I’m a big honey guy, and the outside was crispy while the rest was soft. I loved it!
What an amazing traditional market! My favorite was the tteok-bokki. They were so fire!
I hope you enjoyed coming with me on my Tongin Market adventure! If you did, please give it a thumbs up and leave me a comment below. Also please subscribe so you don’t miss any of my upcoming travel/food videos!
About Me: My name is David Hoffmann. For the last decade, I have been traveling around the world in search of unique culture, food, and history! Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have traveled to over 1,000 destinations in 73 countries, which I welcome you to check out on my YouTube channel, travel blog, and social media sites.
I focus a great deal on food and historical sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning about the local history and culture.
P.S. Thank you for watching my videos and subscribing!
Going for number two.
Oh yeah.
I know we're sharing.
That is the hardest thing dude.
This is so good.
It is so good.
So good.
Good morning from beautiful sunny Seoul, South Korea.
Today I'm going to be doing two things with you guys.
I'm going to be taking you to the Saran Che Museum.
This museum basically shows you what Korea is about today.
Modern era.
And then after this we're going to the Tongin Market.
The Tongin Market is a traditional market.
They sell souvenirs, local ingredients for food, they also have street food and there
is restaurants.
I'm very excited.
I love Korean food and I love how much history I've been learning while being here.
So I can't wait to get into this museum.
Let's go inside.
Sam we're in the museum.
Yeah we are.
And I love cats so I want to tell you about the first cat.
So this is from President Moon Jae in 2007 picked up this stray cat and they lived with
the President.
Okay so right here we have the wall of the Presidents from 1948 all the way until 2017.
So the new President is not on this wall right?
And this one started in power right before the Korean War.
So 1948 he got into power and served for 12 years as well.
He served during the Korean War which is 1950 to 53.
And under it it shows basically their accomplishments, things that they achieved during their terms
right?
But basically it shows what they accomplished during their terms.
It is basically like a summary of all the major events that happened during the Presidency.
And it is fascinating because some of them served for as few as like this guy only served
for just probably a year and a half.
This guy over here served for 8 years.
So varying terms.
So here in the next room we have a lot of bright lights.
Sam what is this?
This is an interactive map basically showing you the must visit tourist spots in Korea.
And it is like all of these beautiful photos.
They dim it and then light it back up and everything just comes to life.
Like what fascinates me is there is just so many beautiful rural areas to visit in Korea.
Like I've only scratched the surface.
Yeah, I mean some of the stuff I didn't even know existed.
I would have to unfortunately it doesn't tell you exactly where each thing is.
Yes.
But right across from us there is an interactive map that does.
Exactly.
There is an interactive map that does and then it goes like this.
So right over here for example I'm looking at Jeju-do so I click on this.
I've got all kinds of information.
Pictures, introductions.
I can change the language from Korean to English to Chinese to Japanese and look at all of
the different attractions here.
So for example I click on here and scroll through the images.
Just very impressive in terms of the information.
Wow.
So Seoul Metropolitan City.
Woah.
What market is this?
Wow, that looks amazing.
English?
Oh, Gwangjang Market.
That is a famous one.
Oh yeah?
Yeah, that is actually a covered market.
You can go in and get like tons of street food.
One of the best places for street food in Seoul to be honest.
Three, two, one.
So this display is basically all about Korean street food.
It shows you all of these different dishes.
Right now it is not showing you but before it was.
So now we're going to the second floor of the museum.
It is called Dear Korea Special Exhibit.
Let's see what is up there.
Okay, Special Exhibit of Summit Diplomacy Gifts.
Okay, so here on the second level we have basically a little history lesson about the
democratic movement.
Right?
In Korea.
All of the different protests.
All of the stages that got to where Korea is today.
Exactly.
And right here we have the Blue House which is called Cheong Wa Dae.
Cheong Wa Dae.
And that is the Presidential House.
Yeah.
And it was built in 1991.
It is covered by 150 Korean style blue tiles crafted to last for centuries or more.
Yeah, basically incredible architecture with a mountain backdrop.
Yeah and the cool thing is that because of the mountain backdrop it doesn't look like
it is in Seoul.
Like it looks like it is completely outside.
I'm sure it is not in the center of the city.
No.
It is just by this mountain.
Yeah.
But yeah, I mean just stunning.
Stunning.
And guys, I think it is time.
Street food?
Street food.
Let's go.
So we are outside now.
It is nice, man.
Beautiful day here in Seoul.
Yep.
Hey girls, how are you doing?
Good.
And yeah, we are walking to the Tongin Market.
This market dates back to the year 1941.
75 stalls.
75 stalls and shops.
So, I don't know, we have exactly like 80 minutes.
No, no.
A little more than that.
Yeah.
So we can't do every single one but we are going to see what there is.
Yeah.
We are going to try some food.
About one minute per stall.
And this is it.
Tongin Market.
It actually reminds me of the market I went to in Kyoto.
Nishida Market.
And yeah, I mean basically as you can see lots of vendors here.
We got fruits.
We got vegetables.
We have snacks.
There is also a butcher right here.
Sam, you loving it or what?
Loving it, man.
Colorful fruit displays.
Vegetables so far.
And I noticed up ahead there is some street food.
Oh yeah, right there.
Going in the right direction.
Perfect.
I mean it doesn't stop.
I mean it is like you've got bakeries.
Yeah.
You have veggie places like this.
Wow.
Lots of seaweed there.
Yeah, you can buy the banchan.
The Korean side dishes that you eat at the restaurants.
Take it home.
Put it in the fridge and have it whenever you want.
And then here we've got some street food.
Yes.
Some pancakes.
Yeah.
Korean pancakes.
Those are Korean pancakes.
There is pajeon and there is kimchi jeon.
We haven't tried the kimchi jeon yet.
We'll definitely have to get that.
Let's do it.
And our first item today is kimchi jeon.
Kimchi pancake.
It only costs $1.
Yeah.
This is freaking amazing.
$1 for this.
I know.
And we basically saw the process.
This lady, what she does is she has the batter right, she puts it on the skillet or the sizzle
right there.
Yep.
She cooks it.
She flips it and done.
She also has other things here like this one has like I don't know some green beans.
Yeah.
There are some eggs over there.
But this is what I want to try because I love kimchi, I love pancakes and this is spicy.
You're going to love this dude.
The first time trying it.
Woah.
Yeah.
Mmmmm.
What do you think?
Dude this is like the most delicious pancake of all time.
Spicy pancake.
I've never had it before.
So kimchi right?
So fermented cabbage.
Yep.
With batter.
Yep.
And spicy.
Oh man.
Look at this.
Oh man.
It is so good and I'm starting to feel a tingle right now.
Yeah yeah.
Going for number two.
Oh yeah.
I know we're sharing that is the hardest thing dude.
This is so good.
It is so good.
So good.
Mmmmm.
I love the crunch inside.
The cabbage just burst.
Yeah.
Super moist.
But the spice.
The spice is what it is all about.
If you come here.
Yeah subscribe dude.
Subscribe.
Yeah subscribe.
Good.
Hahaha.
David's been here.
Subscribe.
I fan you.
Alright guys that was freaking amazing.
Yeah.
Got some more fans.
What else are we going to do?
We need a subscriber on the spot.
We'll actually watch them subscribe on the phone.
Hahaha.
Yeah.
What up?
Yeah.
Oppa Gangnam style.
Woah.
Alright so where to next?
Where to next?
More food.
More food dude.
More food.
This is so funny.
And right here we have like 20 different types of kimchi.
Super spicy.
Everything looks really really hot.
As you can see like lots of red.
And right across we're going to try this like hand roll.
Is that a hand roll?
What is that?
It is called Chakhan Kimbap.
And they are long kimbaps.
So we're going to get a mouthful.
This is so affordable.
Quick correction.
It's a thousand for one.
So it's fine though because we're each eating one.
And it comes with sticks.
Perfect.
She rolled it up in like aluminum foil to go.
Way to go man.
And I think we're just going to post up like right here.
And we got toothpicks to stab them.
Hahaha.
Okay so the moment of truth.
Chakhan Kimbap.
Which is also good kimbap.
That's what it says right there.
Basically seaweed.
Got rice.
And you have a lot of delicious veggies.
Gotta go like that.
Right?
Oh my god.
Oh yeah.
Mmm.
Very little rice.
Lots of veggies.
Yeah.
Very crunchy.
Mmm.
And the onion.
The carrots.
Mmm.
This is so delicious.
I think there's also like a little bit of pork in there.
Right?
It could be.
Pork or beef.
Yeah.
Man it is fantastic.
This is probably one of the best hand rolls I've had in Korea so far.
I've had like four.
Yeah.
And this one is so good.
Because this is so fresh.
They probably just did it today.
Wow.
Oh I love how healthy it is.
Yeah.
Mmm.
Super crunchy.
And the price is great too.
A dollar.
Well a dollar for one roll.
Yeah.
But if you eat two you'll be fine.
Yeah.
I probably need five.
Hahaha.
정말 맛있어요.
Perfect.
맛있어요.
You can even just go.
A shorter one is 맛있겠다.
Mmm.
정말 맛있어요.
Next up we have ddeokbokki.
Spicy ddeokbokki.
Spicy stir-fried rice cakes.
I love this.
I've already had it twice.
But this one, Sam was saying it's a little different.
It looks really spicy because it's really really greasy and rich and red.
Yeah.
Wow.
Mmm.
Oh wow.
Mmm.
Nice and chewy.
Almost has the consistency of mochi.
Yeah.
But not sweet at all.
Very greasy.
Very spicy.
Here in Korea they love their spice.
Mmm.
And I'm a spicy addict.
I can live in Korea.
My god.
I know.
It keeps.
It burns the more you have it.
Alright give me more.
Hahaha.
Oh yeah.
Oh man.
Guys this is like this is the thing you have to try when you come to Korea.
This and barbecue.
For sure.
Wow.
Mmm.
You could just pop those all day long.
Huh?
Bro it is like I'm eating spicy worms.
Hahaha.
A double bite.
Non-stop.
Oh so the price for this one is 3,000 so 3,000 won is like 3 US dollars basically.
A little under.
Oh my gosh.
This is so good man.
And there's so many kids here right now.
It's 1230.
They've all come here for lunch.
And they're really curious about what we're doing too.
Yeah.
The way this place works is basically people get tickets and they get trays right.
So they pay you know I guess for a pound or something.
They get a ticket.
They get their tray.
And then they go up to different vendors and they get their food.
And this one says Seoul Future Heritage.
So I don't know what that means.
But everybody's coming here.
So this food has to be some of the bombest food in the market.
You gotta stop at this spot and have this man.
This doesn't.
Oh.
Alright.
So the feast does not stop.
Look at this.
We've got duk gong yuk.
Which is basically fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce.
This one's not spicy at all.
It looks spicy because it's red.
But it's not.
She was saying it's a little sweet.
Oh my gosh.
It's like sweet and sour chicken in a Chinese restaurant.
Yeah.
It's more like popcorn chicken.
Mmmmm.
What I love the most is that it's so organic.
This chicken is like the freshest chicken you could have on the planet for real.
I have had Korean fried chicken for a few days in a row.
Yeah.
I'm in love with it.
So good man.
Wow.
This country does the best fried chicken.
Dude it's super sweet.
Yeah.
I wish there was some spice but I'm good.
I've been having a lot of spicy things today.
We can get another ddukbokki on the way out.
Exactly.
Unreal.
Next up we have something that I love eating in China and in Japan.
It is called Oden which is hot pot.
And this one is like a fish.
Look at this.
Look at that.
A spongy fish cake.
Spongy.
It is super hot.
Oh it is really hot.
Hahaha.
Oh my god.
Because it still has the soup in the bottom right?
Yeah.
Oh man I love this.
This is perfect for a winter day.
When I was in Japan I was eating Oden like I don't know at least like every other day.
Yeah.
Wow.
That's right.
You visited Japan in the winter.
Look at that.
Moment of truth.
Mmmmm.
It is basically like fish balls right?
Yeah.
But in a long format right?
Yeah.
Oh I love it.
Texture.
Super soft.
No spongy.
Oh man this is so good.
And so cheap.
So it was only 500 Won.
Yeah.
For one.
50 cents basically man.
50 cents.
Crazy.
50 cents.
And what am I going to do?
Am I going to drink some of it?
Oh my god.
Non-stop food here.
I don't know about you man but I'm sweating so much after having that with the soup.
Hahaha.
So good.
Next is this.
What is it?
Chicken.
Shike.
Yeah.
You think we should try it?
Sure.
You have to try.
So I think we're going to try the shike which is like a rice juice.
Looks really good.
Nice to meet you.
We have to find it somewhere though.
Have a nice day.
The problem is there is so many street food vendors that it really doesn't end.
I know.
I mean there is some things that are really repetitive obviously.
Yeah like the tteokbokki we've seen in a few shops.
But then there is other things like these dumplings that are like amazing.
Yeah.
But I don't want dumplings because that is more Chinese right?
That is less.
Oh yeah but they are quite common in Korea.
They call them mandu.
Okay.
And you can get ones with kimchi.
So you can get some very traditional Korean ones but yeah I think they originated from
China.
Wow.
Yeah man.
Everyday.
In the summer.
So we're going to have shike.
The rice juice.
Oh yeah.
And this lady makes it at home every single day.
It looks phenomenal.
Let's get two.
Two.
Two cups.
And here we have the traditional rice drink.
It's called shike.
Look at this.
You see the grains at the bottom.
Wow.
Really nice right here.
Oh man.
You see them so well.
It looks really nice.
What Sam was telling me is that it is similar to like sugar cane juice that you get in India
right?
Really refreshing.
It costs 1,000 won.
So 1 US dollar for this drink.
Oh my god.
You're right dude.
It does have that taste to it.
Yeah.
Really refreshing.
It's like I'm so hot and you just hit me with this burst of like cold energy right?
Yeah.
Oh my god.
It's so good.
And the grains just go down the hatchet.
You know?
Like straight down.
You don't even feel them.
You don't feel them or anything.
This is really really nice man.
I think this is the best thing to have especially on a hot day like today.
Yeah.
And when everybody came into this market it just got really really hot.
Yeah.
On top of the spice.
It just cools you down.
Oh wow.
I'm ready for more.
How many more?
Maybe one more.
I think we need to get some rice cakes to finish off.
Dessert.
Let's go.
Let's do it.
Next up is dessert.
Hotteok.
Which is basically a Korean pancake with honey and pine nuts.
It's really hot.
He just made it in front of us.
I mean he put the batter, he pressed it down, put lots of oil all over it.
Super greasy as you can see.
Oh it's extremely freaking hot.
I know.
Oh my god.
Oh.
Mmmmm.
Oh wow.
Dude it is a honey donut.
Yeah.
Yeah yeah.
It is like a hot honey donut.
Oh.
Hahaha.
It is really hot.
You get more of the honey in the middle like wait until you take your third or fourth bite.
Mmmhmm.
You can see look at that.
Look at the pine nuts, the honey.
Oh it is oozing out.
Ah.
Yeah.
Be careful man.
This in winter would be amazing but I'm in love with it.
I'm a big honey guy.
Yeah.
I love how sweet it is.
The dough is just very very soft and the outside is a little crispy.
Yeah.
It is perfect dude.
The only thing is I would let it sit for a bit.
Yeah.
A little too hot for me.
Oh but I'm in love with it man.
Like I really freaking A. It is too hot.
Hahaha.
Too hot.
Hey how are you doing?
Too hot to handle.
Oh.
You done?
Yeah.
Let me take a break.
Wow.
What an amazing market.
This market was unreal.
Insane.
Local.
One word.
Local.
I mean I didn't see one foreigner except this guy.
Hahaha.
I was the palest person in the room.
Like I said I mean everything was delicious.
We tried I think five or six different things.
Yeah.
My favorite thing was ddeok.
The ddeokbokki.
Yeah.
Ddeokbokki which is the spicy rice cakes.
I mean it is super authentic traditional Korean.
You won't find that anywhere else in the world.
I know.
It is the most Korean thing ever.
Yeah.
Seriously.
So guys I mean next time you come to Seoul I highly recommend coming to this market.
It's the most authentic place for street food here in Seoul.
I mean I'm sure there's other places.
Skip the tourists.
Come here.
Yeah.
Skip the tourist traps.
Come here.
Well guys if you like this video please give me a thumbs up.
Leave me a comment below.
Subscribe to my channel.
His channel.
And we'll see you in the next travel food adventure in Seoul, South Korea.
Peace.
