Mayak Gimbap & Bindaetteok: A Foreigner's Guide to Gwangjang Market

Step into the alleys of Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and you're greeted first by the sizzle and savory smell of bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) frying in oil. The market's signature foods are "mayak gimbap" -- bite-sized seaweed rice rolls tossed to order with vegetables and sauce -- and thick-fried bindaetteok. Most stalls have narrow bench seating, so travelers often end up shoulder-to

-shoulder with strangers. Most vendors take both cash and card, though some prefer cash for small purchases, so carrying small bills helps. Prices are usually posted on handwritten menus at each stall, easy to check before ordering. Popular stalls get long lines around lunch and dinner, so visiting before 11 a.m. or around 3-4 p.m. means no wait. Bindaetteok is best eaten hot, straight from th

e oil, and dipping mayak gimbap in mustard sauce is the local way to eat it. Travelers wary of spice can simply ask for it "not spicy" -- most stalls will adjust the seasoning. Unlike a restaurant with a fixed menu, the real appeal of market food is choosing what looks good on the spot. Korea Tourism Times Editorial Desk