Welcome to Korea! A first look at Traditional Markets

After a 30-hour journey, I finally made it to Korea! Even in just a few days, I’ve already noticed how important markets are here. Some are just a single street, while others stretch across several blocks. They offer a wide variety of things such as food, electronics, clothes, and household goods.

One of the places we visited was Tongin Traditional Market. Unfortunately, it was closed, but we plan to go back later in the trip. After grabbing lunch nearby, we were split into groups for a scavenger hunt. My group was assigned to find the Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, also known as Dokkaebi Market. It was such an interesting place with so many things, including industrial mixing bowls, old car parts, and musical instruments.

While researching the market, we learned that its name comes from merchants who hop from city to city collecting valuable goods. Hwanghakdong used to be known for antiques and artwork, but after a designated art street was created, many of those vendors relocated. You can still feel a strong sense of community there, as a lot of the vendors seemed to know each other and were chatting as we walked by.

Later on, we happened to pass by Seoul’s Central Market. This one had mostly food vendors and a few selling clothes. It was fun to watch how people interacted with the vendors as there were locals, and others like us who were just exploring.

We finished the day at a busy street market near N Tower, where we had dinner. It was packed with people eating, talking with vendors, spending time with friends, or just soaking in the environment. There was something really special about the atmosphere. You could feel how the space brought people together.

After visiting these different markets, it’s clear they’re more than just places to buy things. They reflect the culture, routines, and values of the people who use them. These markets aren’t just one building, but rather several that bring people together and foster a sense of community. Even without a single formal structure, they shape the environment through human connection, culture, and tradition. I’m excited to see how these same ideas show up in Korean architecture.