Market
Namdaemun Market
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Namdaemun Market is a large traditional market in Seoul, next to the old city's southern gate. It has been operating since 1414, making it one of Korea's oldest markets. Today it is modernized but still bustling, with thousands of shops selling mostly fashion items, accessories, and kitchen goods.
Don't miss
- Over 5,000 shops selling accessories, clothing, children's clothes, kitchen products, and handicrafts
- Fashion shops make up about two-thirds of all stores
- Restaurants serving Korean food, including a dish that preceded budae-jjigae
- A market that has operated continuously since 1414, surviving fires, war, and colonial rule
- Located right next to Namdaemun, the historic southern gate of Seoul
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Namdaemun Market
You can wander Namdaemun Market on your own. A guide is worth it for knowing what to look for and what to order, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
Cheapest way inPainters Show in Gwanghwamun Theater (nearby Seodaemun station)4.9★ · 118 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$24 per personSee dates →
Best full dayBest DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Suspension Bridge & JSA Museum)4.9★ · 47,835 travelers7-9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$50 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleSeoul Private Local Tour: Gyeongbokgung, Seochon & Market Tour5★ · 10 travelers5-6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$68 per personSee dates →Getting there
A bit of history
The market opened in 1414 during the Joseon period. It was destroyed by fires several times, including during the Korean War, and rebuilt each time. After Japan opened Korea in 1876, many Chinese and Japanese merchants arrived. During Japanese colonial rule, the government tried to shut it down but failed. After Korea's liberation in 1945, merchants took over management. In the 1990s, it shifted from wholesale to retail, but sales dropped due to competition and online shopping.
Common questions
What is the best thing to buy at Namdaemun Market?
Fashion items and accessories are the most common goods, with over 60% of shops selling clothing, earrings, hairpins, and similar items.
Is Namdaemun Market the oldest market in Seoul?
It is among the oldest extant markets in Korea, having opened in 1414 during the Joseon period.
How has the market changed over time?
It shifted from wholesale to retail in the 1990s, and now sells more accessories and less produce than before. It has also faced challenges from online shopping and competition with Dongdaemun Market.
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