Conveniently situated to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace is Tongin Market, one of Seoul’s most charming traditional markets. While it may on first impression appear to be a typical market, it also doubles as an important historical landmark, as it was established for Japanese residents in 1941, when Korea was under Japanese rule. In recent years, its popularity has been revitalised thanks to its Dosirak Cafe, where you can get a lunchbox to fill with whichever market snacks you’d like for just ₩5,000 (£3.25).

Small and traditional, Tongin Market, in the old Seochon neighborhood west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, has quickly become a draw for its unique build-your-own lunch box system. After paying a small flat fee of ₩5000, you’ll receive a compartmentalized lunch tray with some old traditional coins. As you walk around the market, picking out what you want, a vendor will place the food onto your tray and take the number of coins it costs.

Dating all the way back to 1941 when it was set up for Seoul’s Japanese residents when South Korea was still under Japanese rule, Tongin market was converted into a street food market after the Korean war. Nowadays it consists of around seventy-five different food stalls, all selling various different classic dishes. What makes visiting Tongin market particularly unique though is its special lunchtime offering known as yeopjeon dosirak, which translates as ‘brass-coin lunchbox’.

While Tongin Market is better known as a traditional market during the day, its nighttime scene offers a more relaxed and intimate market experience. Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Tongin Market is a smaller, historical market that focuses on traditional Korean food and goods. One of the highlights of Tongin Market is its famous dosirak (lunchbox) cafe, where visitors can exchange traditional coins for food and create their own custom lunchbox from a variety of food stalls.

Tongin Market in Seoul has introduced several new programs, like hosting art projects and community classes, while their innovative “lunch box café” concept has helped bring new life to the market. During lunch hour, visitors purchase a bowl of rice and tokens that can be exchanged for individual portions of side dishes from participating vendors. This gives diners an easy way to try traditional foods and specialties, and has increased traffic through the market.

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.

Tongin Market is considered one of the best markets in Seoul to visit because it is definitely at the top of the list. It is good to mention that it is a historical very remarkable market to which many visitors go and enjoy its perfect facilities and products. In this large diversified market, you can find specific things in specific spots as the market is organized according to the objects each store sells.

Located in Mapo-gu, it’s more off the tourist map than Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market and Tongin Market—or Noryangjin Fish Market, for that matter. It’s a covered market and once you’re in it, the alleys are lined with cooked food vendors of various kinds. We visited on a Saturday morning and had a very nice time walking slowly through the crowded market, stopping to eat snacks along the way.

This is a unique concept which allows visitors to create their own lunchbox by selecting from a variety of small dishes sold at different stalls. It’s like a buffet of authentic cuisines and delicacies. Buying food here is also made interactive by using traditional coins to purchase things like "Tteokbokki" (spicy rice cakes), "Japchae" (stir-fried glass noodles), and various types of kimchi.

This cute traditional market to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit for all Tteokbokki lovers. Tongin Market (통인 시장) is quite a new market, as it was established in 1941 for Japanese residents when Korea was under Japanese rule. It used to cater to Japanese residents mostly, but after Korean independence started selling more goods that appealed to Korean residents.

To the West of Gyeongbokgung Palace, you will find Tongin Market. Tongin Market appeared in Seoul as early as 1941, which was then a local marketplace for the Japanese community living in the Hyoja-dong area during the Japanese occupation. The market’s most famous food was the Doshirak meal set with coffee, a unique and affordable meal for everyone.

Tongin Market is another great of a charming traditional market. It is conveniently located to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Although it may appear to be a typical market at first glance, it is also a significant historical landmark, as it was built for Japanese citizens in 1941, during the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Tongin Market Lunch Box – Going to Tonging Market is an experience you must have. At the traditional market visitors can exchange money for a lunch box and coins, with those coins you can then buy certain dishes from vendors all around the market. 5000 krw should be enough for a small lunch.Check more info here.

Are you a foodie person and are just crazy about Korean food?. Before your vacation is over, visiting the Tongin Market situated in the heart of Seoul should be on top of your to-do list. From mouthwatering Korean barbeque to a wide variety of sumptuous traditional street foods, you will be spoiled for choices.

Tongin Market offers a delightful street food experience in Seoul. This market is popular for its Dosirak, a traditional Korean lunchbox that you can fill by exchanging old coins for tokens. There are around 20 stalls where you can select your favourite dishes like tteokbokki, kimbap, and sundae.

Located in Seoul, this traditional market is known for affordable and quality Korean street foods. Visitors can find a range of Korean dishes at reasonable prices such as tteokbokki, odeng, gimbap, and sundae. The traditional and authentic market atmosphere provides a unique culinary experience.

Tongin Market (통인시장) is one of the most interesting traditional Korean markets in Seoul, due to its historic value. It was originally established in 1941 for Japanese residents when Korea was under Japanese rule. Recently the area has been revitalized and spiced up in a very Korean way.

A doshirak is a Korean lunch box that local mothers would pack for their children to bring to school and for their spouses to take to work. Tongin Market is popular for its one-of-a-kind concept of filling up your own lunchbox at any of the participating food stalls in the marketplace.

Tongin Market Originally established for Japanese residents in June 1941, during the Japanese occupation. The market was converted for Korean street vendors after the Korean War. The market now consists of over 70 stores, most of which are restaurant and grocery shops.

Fancy creating your own lunchbox with food from different stores?. Dosirak Cafe in Tongin Market is where the magic happens. Food hunters start with an empty lunchbox, thereafter scouring the market to fill the box up with whatever mouth-watering snack you desire.

As was written in a previous post of mine, Tongin Market is an excellent place to lunch at. For an incredibly low fare you get to build your own lunch box, and there’s a lot of great local food on offer. Not to mention, it’s a fun experience in its own right!

Tongin Market offers a unique and fun way to try a variety of delicious street food. Here, you buy tokens and use them to assemble your lunchbox from various Korean street food vendors. For 5000 won you get 10 tokens and a lunchbox and can head back down.

Go To Experience: street food where you pay with tokens resembling old fashioned coins. Pricing: one bundle of ten tokens costs 5,000 won to be used at designated food stalls. How to Get There: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2

A visit to the covered Tongin Market can be great fun for kids. Purchase a bento box along with some old-style brass coins. These coins can be used by kids to buy food from their preferred stalls and assemble their own yummy customised meal.

Venture into Euljiro’s labyrinth of tool shops or explore the quaint atmosphere of Tongin Market. These hidden gems provide a glimpse into local life and feature authentic Korean delicacies and crafts away from the usual tourist trail.

Named Seoul’s Lunchbox Market, Tongin Market houses over 70 stores ranging from clothing to food. How you buy and receive your food separates this market from the rest. You exchange your ₩ for Joseon Dynasty money (YeoJeon).

It’s probably been a while since you’ve purchased a meal with cash. Well, how about old ancient coins?. If you’re looking for a unique experience, Tongin Market is somewhere you’ll want to visit.

Operating hours: General fisheries 01:30-22:00 / Frozen seafood 03:30-22:00 / Clam market 01:00-22:00 / Dried seafood 23:00-19:00 / Salted seafood 03:00-19:00 (Open all year round)

– Walk to Tongin Market – a market where you can make your own dosirak (Korean lunch box) with traditional coins (approx. 10 minutes)