Namdaemun Market
Myeongdong, Seoul
Source: english.visitseoul.net, checked 13 Oct 2026.
One of Seoul's largest traditional markets, a wholesale and retail warren beside the old Namdaemun gate. Its food alleys are known for kal-guksu and braised hairtail.
Insider tip
Many stalls close on Sundays and hours vary by stall. Visit Seoul says stalls open from midnight to 23:00 on weekdays, so the shops themselves keep their own schedule.
What the guides say about Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is a wholesale and retail warren by the old gate, and Dongdaemun Market is the fashion cluster that keeps late hours.
Namdaemun Market is a walk away too. It's a busy shopping district more than a quiet one, so expect crowds in the evening.
What's on near Namdaemun Market
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Namdaemun Market, from the weekly Seoul events calendar.
SeMA Common Space Project: Ernesto Neto, Va ca va, Dance Forever Crossing
Time Tue to Thu 10:00 to 20:00; Fri 10:00 to 21:00; Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00 to 19:00 (Mar to Oct) or 18:00 (Nov to Feb); closed Mondays (open if the Monday is a holiday) and 1 Jan; last entry 1 hour before closing
Large crocheted installation by Ernesto Neto filled with guava and tea leaves, shown across the main branch lobby and open space.
GanaArt Collection: Beneath Technology: Scenes at the Threshold
Station City Hall Station, Line 1 and 2
Collection exhibition at the Seosomun Main Branch of the Seoul Museum of Art. Open Tuesday to Thursday 10:00 to 20:00, Friday 10:00 to 21:00, weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 18:00 in winter. Closed Mondays. Last entry one hour before closing. The museum is free except for special exhibitions, and the page does not say whether this one is ticketed.
Lynn Hershman Leeson: First Person Plural
Station City Hall Station, Line 1 and 2
Solo exhibition at the Seosomun Main Branch of the Seoul Museum of Art. Open Tuesday to Thursday 10:00 to 20:00, Friday 10:00 to 21:00, weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 18:00 in winter. Closed Mondays and January 1. Last entry one hour before closing. The museum is free except for special exhibitions, and the page does not say whether this one is ticketed.
14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale
SeMA's open call for an artistic director gives a tentative period of 16 Aug to 14 Nov 2027. Dates are not final.
Lee Daiwon: Nothing Here Makes You Sad
Exhibition at MMCA Deoksugung, listed on the museum's homepage.
Smaller local events nearby
Namdaemun Market Market
Monday to Saturday. Next: Mon 2 Nov · 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu
Large traditional market in Jung-gu, open Monday to Saturday and closed Sundays, with hours varying by stall.
Free · Map · Source: Visit Seoul (Seoul Tourism Organization) · 남대문시장
Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony Performance
Daily except Mondays, 10:00 to 15:40. Next: Tue 3 Nov · Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) Gate plaza, Myeongdong
Gate guard ceremony in Sungnyemun Plaza from 10:00 to 15:40, with a break from 12:00 to 13:00. The gate opening is at 10:00 and the gate closing at 15:30. Held every day except Mondays and can be cancelled in bad weather. The organiser's page lists no fee.
10:00 to 15:40 · Map · Source: Seoul Royal Guard Ceremony (Seoul Metropolitan Government) · 숭례문 파수의식
Nearby
Around Myeongdong
Cosmetics lanes, a brick cathedral and a market that never fully closes
Myeongdong is where Seoul's cosmetics and street-food crowds meet, packed into a few pedestrian lanes off Line 4. Myeongdong Cathedral sits on the hill above them, and Namdaemun Market is to the south.
Myeongdong has 17 places on the Roam Seoul map: 5 restaurants, 4 landmarks, 3 shops, 1 palace or temple, 1 market, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Myeongdong guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Namdaemun Market?
- 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul.
- How do I get to Namdaemun Market?
- The nearest station is Hoehyeon (Line 4), exit 7. Namdaemun Market is in Myeongdong, Seoul.
- How long do you need at Namdaemun Market?
- Plan for 2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Namdaemun Market?
- Weekday morning.
Stay near Namdaemun Market
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