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Namdaemun Market

남대문시장

Korea's largest traditional market, over 600 years old and within walking distance of Myeongdong. Food alleys (kalguksu noodles, braised hairtail) sit alongside zones for household goods, kitchenware and eyeglasses. Bring cash — many stalls don't take cards.

Last checked: 2026-09-22·Desk-researched — not yet verified on site

Reservation

Not neededNo Korean phone needed

Payment

Foreign cards: UnverifiedApple Pay: Unverified

Many shops take cards, but a large share of stalls are cash-only, and foreign cards can be declined, so bring cash or a WOWPASS alongside your card. No source gives a figure for how much to carry, so none is given here.

Hours

Varies by stall (kalguksu alley 06:00–21:00, hairtail alley 03:00–21:00)

Tips

  • The food alleys publish their hours: kalguksu alley 06:00–21:00, hairtail alley 03:00–21:00. The shopping arcades are another matter — the official listing gives hours only as "varies by store", and closing days differ shop to shop. Check ahead if you are going for one arcade.
  • Right at Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) Exit 5 — 10 minutes on foot from Myeongdong Station, next to Shinsegae's main store.
  • Tourism listings give the market's closing day as Sunday, though some food alleys stay open.
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Myeongdong · Places

Daiso Myeongdong Station

다이소 명동역점

A multi-floor Daiso at 134-1 Toegye-ro, near Myeongdong Station. It is a fixed-price household-goods chain, so souvenirs, beauty items, snacks and travel supplies are all in one building. The Korea Tourism Organization lists it as a tax refund shop.

No Korean phone needed

Dakjinmi Gangwonjip

닭진미강원집

A chicken-soup and boiled-chicken restaurant inside Namdaemun Market, at 22-20 Namdaemunsijang-gil. DiningCode lists it 08:00–20:30, closed Sundays. Dak-gomtang (chicken soup) is listed at 10,000 won, a meat set meal at 12,000 won and a whole chicken at 23,000 won. It is a hot-soup breakfast option in the market, Monday to Saturday.

No Korean phone neededNot confirmed

Embassy-front Exchange

대사관앞환전

An exchange office on the ground floor of 26 Myeongdong 2-gil. Its official site, which carries the company's business details and counter rates but is built and run by a third party (Trip Onda), gives 09:00–21:30 on weekdays, weekends and public holidays alike. Two Japanese travel guides both describe it as a popular exchange within walking distance of Myeongdong Station Exit 5, and one says there is always a queue. The official site posts its counter rates.

No Korean phone needed

Gimbap Cheonguk Myeongdong

김밥천국 명동본점

A branch of the gimbap and snack-food chain at 114-3 Toegye-ro, near Myeongdong Station Exit 4. DiningCode lists it as open 24 hours, every day, and a visitor blog says the same. It is the fallback before anything else opens. A May 2026 visitor post gives ramyeon at 4,500 won and omelette rice or spicy pork rice at 8,500 won; DiningCode's menu shows lower, apparently older, prices.

No Korean phone neededNot confirmed
Sources

Reviews

Visitor reviews. Unlike the information above, these are not checked by the editors.

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