Tongin Traditional Market — Attraction in Seoul

This is a cute and charming covered market. The token experience is a fun one and you get a tray to contain all your food picks. There was a mix of local couples and groups of independent tourists eating there.

I took away two stars because there wasn't really much to choose from despite being lunch time on a Friday. I expected the market to be bustling and busy but the other photos that you see in these reviews are indicative of the crowds. Also, the food is OK—sufficient to fill your tummy as a pit stop, especially on a cold winter's day.

One standout is the waffle stand, operated by a lovely friendly couple in front of their store. The Korean custard hot cakes are made on the spot and worth waiting for! Think a crispy outer and soft custard cream in the centre!

The market is worth a visit if you're in the Seochon (Sejong) Hanok Village area but I wouldn't make a detour to visit if you're coming from somewhere else or if your itinerary is packed.

P.S. The stairs to the second floor are steep. There's also another flight of steep stairs to the third floor where there is more seating. Keep this in mind if you're travelling with young kids or...

Pretty interesting tourist attraction, though a bit small. You need to walk partway through the market to reach the kiosk selling coins on the second floor (by the first set of bathrooms).

Coins are 500 won each and its recommended to get atleast 10,000 won per person. Food is a bit pricy, mainly because of the gimmick, but is still a rather budget option for trying out some of the more basic korean dishes. You get handed a plastic tray to fill up with food you buy from the market. There's also a place to eat while you're there, which is basically conveniently located by the place you'd originally have bought the coins.

Note: not every store in the market accepts these coins. If they do, they're generally clearly noted to accept them with a gold coin symbol, similar to the coins...

I would recommend everyone to come here! You can get the lunchbox and 10 coins for 5,000 won at the West side entrance to the street. Look out for a sign on the shop fronts to tell which shop accepts the coins, which is about 80% of the shops. Most dish costs 2 coins and you can always pay with cash if you run out or if you only want one or two and didn't want to get 10 coins. Note that you can go to the eating area at the 2nd floor around at the middle of the street if you've got a lunchbox. You can get rice or soup/broth at the eating area for 2 coins each. I used up all 10 coins for 5 dishes and just had to get the hotteok so I paid with cash. Please do get the hotteok as you leave after your main lunchbox meal and eat along the way as you walk the alleys...