Cheongnyangni & Gyeongdong Market Restaurants

Dongdaemun-gu is not the same place as the Dongdaemun shopping area, which is in Jung-gu. The district centers on the traditional markets between Cheongnyangni and Jegi-dong stations, the Hoegi university area near Kyung Hee and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and the neighborhood grill houses of Jangan-dong and Dapsimni. Korean food dominates EatHub's listings here, with many long-running market dishes such as sundaeguk, fried chicken and kalguksu.

A route-based guide to market food in Cheongnyangni and Jegi-dong, the Hoegi student district, and the grill houses of Jangan-dong and Dapsimni.

59 restaurants listed on the map

Featured restaurants in this area

One of Seoul's largest traditional markets runs into a university district and residential streets, so everyday local restaurants are stronger here than tourist dining.

Vibe
Traditional market, campus, old-timers
Who goes
Market shoppers, students, locals
Best time
Lunch and early evening
Known for
Gyeongdong Market, fried chicken, sundaeguk
  • Noodles and snacks inside Gyeongdong Market
  • Jegi-dong fried chicken and sundaeguk alleys
  • Hoegi student district and Jangan-dong grills

Dongdaemun and Dongdaemun-gu are different trips

This trips up many visitors. Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the clothing wholesale malls are in Jung-gu; Dongdaemun-gu is the district further east around Cheongnyangni, Jegi-dong and Hoegi. Use Jegi-dong and Cheongnyangni stations on Line 1, and Hoegi Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

Trains toward Gangneung and Andong stop at Cheongnyangni Station, so the area works well for a meal before or after a trip to Gangwon or Gyeongbuk. Around the station, markets and older restaurants are closer than big shopping malls.

What to eat in Gyeongdong Market and the Jegi-dong alleys

Gyeongdong Market, in front of Jegi-dong Station, is a large market known for herbal medicine and farm produce. Small eateries inside the market buildings and basement serve hand-cut kalguksu, jeon and snack food, so you can sit down in the middle of shopping. Lunchtime is busiest, and some stalls close by late afternoon.

In the alleys from Jegi-dong Station toward Hongneung, old-style fried chicken shops sit close to sundaeguk restaurants and long-running places serving sundae and boiled pork. Many customers take fried chicken to go, so takeaway is worth considering if there is no table.

Hoegi, Jangan-dong and Dapsimni

Around Hoegi Station, the student district for Kyung Hee University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies leans toward shared dishes such as pajeon with makgeolli, cook-at-the-table tteokbokki and fried chicken. Term-time evenings are busy; vacations are much quieter.

Jangan-dong and Dapsimni are residential areas with grill houses, jjokgalbi (pork rib) restaurants and set-meal places that mostly serve locals. They are less a destination than a way to try neighborhood dining if you are staying or working nearby.

Plan around the market

See market restaurants around Jegi-dong and Cheongnyangni stations on the map and plan them together with your shopping route.

Compare long-running Korean spots

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