Great tour! Kangsil was lovely and explained all the different foods, asked about what we were interested in trying. 100% would recommend to visitors to Seoul!
Seoul Street Food Tour: Gwangjang Market
Find the dishes worth ordering in Gwangjang Market’s stalls
The Finer Details
Street food in Seoul is the real deal. It’s not just food; it’s culture, history, and innovation on a plate. The local markets are a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and aromas; with kids’ clothes on one side and smoky squid on the other. Locals squeeze into plastic chairs, devouring their quick lunch in a smoky haze from charcoal grills. As you walk in, the delicious scents and lively sights will have your mouth watering before you even take a bite.
No trip to Seoul is complete without experiencing its diverse street food scene. But with countless options and markets to explore, it can be overwhelming. That's where our Seoul Food Tour comes in: join a local expert in Korean cuisine on a tasteful walk through the historic Gwangjang Market – one of the city's oldest and largest traditional markets – and beyond, as you sink your teeth in the authentic flavors and traditions of Seoul's street food.
Choose this tour if…
- You can’t get enough Korean takeout and are ready for the real deal, straight from the streets of Seoul.
- You’re tired of relying on the ‘English menu’ and want to ditch the tourist traps. Our guide will help you eat like a local without the awkward translations and language barriers.
- You want to come home with fun stories, memories to brag about, or even some new recipes to impress your friends at the next dinner party.
- You didn’t travel this far just to check boxes off — this is your chance to dive into everything Seoul has to offer.
- You’re down for live octopus, but your crew’s more into safe bets like dumplings? No worries, your guide’s got something for everyone.
What You Might Taste
- Mayak Kimbap: Miniature seaweed rice rolls filled with seasoned vegetables, known for their addictive taste.
- Bindaetteok or Mung Bean Pancakes: Savory pancakes made from ground mung beans mixed with vegetables and sometimes meat, then pan-fried until crispy.
- Soondae (Blood Sausage): Korean-style blood sausage made by steaming pig's intestines stuffed with a mixture of pig's blood, glass noodles, and glutinous rice.
- Tteokbokki: Chewy rice cakes stir-fried in a spicy gochujang (chili paste) sauce, often accompanied by fish cakes and boiled eggs.
- Rice Wine (Makgeolli): A traditional Korean alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, slightly sweet and tangy with a milky appearance.
- Raw Beef Bibimbap: A mixed rice dish topped with raw beef, assorted vegetables, a raw egg yolk, and gochujang (chili pepper paste).
- Sannakji or Live Octopus: A delicacy where small octopuses are served freshly cut into pieces and eaten while still moving, typically seasoned with sesame oil.
- Squid Bibimbap: A variation of the traditional Korean mixed rice dish, featuring marinated and stir-fried squid atop steamed rice, accompanied by assorted vegetables and often a spicy gochujang (chili pepper paste) sauce
- Sweet Pumpkin Porridge (Hobak-juk): A smooth, naturally sweet porridge made from pumpkin and glutinous rice flour, often enjoyed as a comforting meal.
- Red Bean Porridge (Patjuk): A traditional Korean porridge made from red beans and glutinous rice balls, offering a mildly sweet flavor.
- Mandu Dumplings: Korean dumplings filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables, either steamed, boiled, or fried.
- Mul-naengmyeon: Cold buckwheat noodles served in a chilled, tangy broth, often garnished with sliced beef, a boiled egg, and vegetables.
- Hotteok: Sweet Korean pancakes filled with a mixture of brown sugar, honey, chopped peanuts, and cinnamon, then pan-fried until crispy on the outside.
Route Details
As you explore the bustling alleys of the market and hidden gems of the surrounding area, your guide will explain the wide variety of sights and smells, from the fiery kick of kimchi to the pungent aroma of dried fish and hearty pots of vegetables. You’ll stop at a selection of iconic food stalls to sample celebrated Korean dishes.
First, perhaps try bindaetteok, crispy mung bean pancakes paired with refreshing makgeolli (rice wine)—a street food classic. Then you may get hooked on mayak gimbap, addictive seaweed rice rolls that will have you coming back for more.
Throughout the tour, your guide will share fascinating insights into Korean culture, history, and the food you’re tasting. You’ll learn about daily Korean dining, the importance of markets, and why certain dishes have earned their place in the heart of Seoul’s food scene.
Feeling adventurous? Try sannakji (live octopus), or stick to other delicious options—your guide will tailor everything to your comfort level. By the end of the tour, you’ll be full, but also armed with the knowledge to confidently explore Seoul’s food scene and avoid tourist traps on your own.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Gwangjang Market
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do our very best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, but it’s essential to let us know in advance—ideally at the time of booking. This allows our team and guides to plan ahead, suggest alternative tastings, and check ingredients where needed. While we can’t guarantee every dish will meet all dietary needs, we’ll do everything we can to make sure you enjoy a safe and delicious experience on the tour.
Yes, absolutely. If you let us know your preferences when you book, we’ll be happy to share them with your guide. While our guides will do their best to accommodate your requests, please note that the market can be quite busy, and availability may vary depending on the day and the freshness of products. That said, your guide will always aim to find the best and quietest spots—and include your request whenever possible.
We recommend arriving with a good appetite—but not overly hungry or right after a big meal. For many guests, the tour is satisfying enough to count as a full meal. Others may prefer to enjoy a light bite afterward.
Not at all. Tastings are not pre-selected or pre-ordered, and your guide will make choices based on what's fresh, available, and suited to your preferences. You're welcome to share any dislikes or hesitations with your guide at the start of the tour — they’re there to make the experience enjoyable and comfortable for everyone.
Yes, children are welcome—especially if they’re curious and open to trying new foods. While the tour may include unfamiliar or adventurous tastings, the guide will do their best to accommodate younger participants and adjust selections accordingly.
Due to the market’s narrow walkways and high foot traffic, tours with more than 6 participants are not recommended. Larger groups can make it difficult to navigate comfortably and may disrupt the flow of the market. That said, we’re happy to accommodate your group by splitting it into two smaller groups. This way, everyone can enjoy a more relaxed and immersive experience without overcrowding the stalls.
We don’t recommend changing the scheduled time. The current tour time has been carefully chosen by local experts to avoid the peak lunch and dinner rush, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience. However, if you have a specific need or scheduling conflict, let us know at the time of booking. In special cases, we may be able to arrange an alternative start time.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is the tour suitable for individuals with mobility concerns? Yes, the tour can be adapted for those with mobility issues. Gwangjang Market is entirely flat and offers a variety of attractions within a compact area, allowing for minimal walking. While the market can become crowded, making navigation challenging at times, vendors are generally accommodating and willing to assist, and your party can request to visit vendors outside of the market proper as well. Seating is available at most stands, though it typically consists of lower stools, which may be difficult for some guests. If you have specific mobility concerns, please inform us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure a comfortable experience.
Don’t just take our word for it
John was absolutely fantastic! He was warm, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and made our food tour such a memorable experience. You could tell how passionate he is about Korean culture, history, and food, and he shared everything in a way that was engaging and easy to follow. He paced the tour perfectly, made sure everyone felt included, and was always happy to answer questions or tailor the experience to our group’s interests. Beyond introducing us to incredible local dishes, he gave us so much context about the neighborhood, traditions, and everyday life in Seoul, which made the experience even more meaningful. If you’re lucky enough to have John as your guide, you’re in for a treat. He truly goes above and beyond, and he was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend!
Kangsil was an absolute delight to work with and completely flexible as we had a number of last minute changes. Our whole family loved every second of the tour and her careful explanation of the significance of the foods we were sampling. My reco is to come hungry and be adventurous! Thank you Kangsil - we will be back!!
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