Enjoy the Korean unique street foods in Gwangjang Market

 Snack stalls on the street have been well-developed in Korea. Gwangjang traditional market is the first market in Korea and popular with young people for food alley because there are filled with many snack stalls selling a variety of street foods and traditional foods. 

Source : http://discoveringkorea.com/110123/gwangjang-traditional-market-in-seoul/

 I visited the market with my friend who was from Hong Kong around 2 weeks ago. I took her to the food alley which was dominated by the scores of snack stalls to introduce some street foods.

 We tasted three things sitting on one of the snack stalls. One is 'Sundae', which is left side of the below picture. It is a kind of blood sausage, and is made generally by boiling or steaming cow or pig's intestines that are stuffed with various ingredients. We both were surprised because the size was so huge. As a Korean, I've never seen this kind of huge Sundae before.
 The middle one is little Gimbap, which is called 'Mayak Gimbap'. The Korean word 'Mayak' originally means drug. I think we call the Gimbap like this because it makes people be addicted to the food like the drug. It has to be added with the special mustard sauce. It's one of the top 3 foods that you should eat in the market.
 In the right, it's Tteokbokki which is rice cakes in hot sauce. Even though it looks very spicy, my friend said the level of spicy flavor was moderate.

 They totally cost 12,000won($12 USD). After finishing eating these foods, we moved to the other place to taste 'Bindaetteok', which was one of the most famous food in the market. It resembles thick pancakes, and is made of mung beans seasoned with meat and vegetables. We usually eat it with a simple soy and onion dipping sauce, and it's perfect combination with Makgeolli which is raw rice wine. It’s an especially beloved food in the winter or on a rainy day.

 'Yukhoe', which is Korean-style raw beef, is the last must-eat food if you visit here. However, we couldn't eat it because we're very full. 

Source : http://feedhana.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/gwangjang-market-part-1/

 It is basically a Korean steak tartare. It is usually made from raw ground beef seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, salt, sesame oil, spring onion, minced garlic, sesame seeds, black pepper and julienned pear. A raw egg yolk is usually added, either on top of the dish or separately. It's a good match with a bottle of Soju.

 Besides these foods, there are more of the special street foods and traditional foods here. If you want to taste the unique Korean foods, visit the market and enjoy them at inexpensive prices. Street vendors are open all year round.

Directions : Exit 8 of Jongno 5-ga Stn. on subway line 1

                 Exit 4 of Euljiro 4-ga Stn. on subway line 2, 5