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Kyungdong Market, selected by citizens as Dongdaemun-gu’s representative spot in the ‘2026 Seoul Edition 25’, blends traditional assets (herbal medicine and ginseng) with newly added cultural and commercial spaces. The market draws interest from both the MZ generation and tourists with its market alley shopping scenes, a youth mall food court, and Starbucks Kyungdong1960 housed in a renovated old theater.
Named by citizens: Kyungdong Market
Seoul City confirmed 25 representative local spots for each district as the ‘2026 Seoul Edition 25’ through an online citizen vote and expert review in July 2026, and Kyungdong Market was selected as Dongdaemun-gu’s representative. This selection ties into plans to develop stay-oriented tourism content linked to local commerce, not just simple place promotion.
A space where tradition meets newness
Kyungdong Market is traditionally known for herbal medicine and ginseng. Recently, beyond the market’s traditional shops, it has added a youth mall, the weekend '1960 Kyungdong Night Market', a children’s hope playground, and a small library, creating mixed cultural and experiential spaces that broaden its visitor base. Inside the market you can also find seafood, dried goods, vegetables, fruits and a wide variety of items, making shopping there enjoyable.
The role of Starbucks Kyungdong1960, housed in an old theater
In the market’s main building is ‘Starbucks Kyungdong1960’, created by remodeling the Kyungdong Theater from the 1960s. The store preserved the theater’s structure, keeping stepped seating and a spacious layout, and opened in December 2022; press coverage reports it has attracted many visitors and brought vitality to the local commercial area. Starbucks operates Kyungdong1960 as a Community Store, contributing to market revitalization through mutual-aid funds and local agreements. (,)
Youth mall and alley eateries
The youth mall on the third floor of the new wing gathers restaurants and cafes run by young entrepreneurs, creating energy at lunch and on weekends. Visitors can enjoy affordable, hearty street-food-style dishes such as snacks, pork cutlets, and Chinese food right after shopping — a convenient and fun combination.
On-site tips (brief)
- Recommended route: explore the market early in the morning (fresh produce and herbal medicine), have lunch at the youth mall, then rest at Kyungdong1960. In the evening, check the weekend night market schedule (hours may change) to enjoy late-night food and food trucks.
- Address: 3, Gosan-ja-ro 36-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (near Jegi-dong). Accessible on foot from Jegi-dong Station and Cheongnyangni Station on Seoul Subway Line 1.
- Opening hours: individual stall hours vary (many open early in the morning), so check specific shop hours before visiting. Night market schedules may change depending on weekends and weather.
How to fully enjoy Kyungdong Market
The pleasure of shopping comes from seeing items firsthand and talking with vendors. Browse traditional items like herbal medicine and ginseng, try local eateries in the youth mall, and take a breather at the cafe housed in the old theater — this course shows the market’s blend of tradition and reinvention. The selection for the 2026 Seoul Edition 25 publicly acknowledges these changes.
Closing
Maintaining its traditional character while embracing new elements, Kyungdong Market is a local spot enjoyable in either a full day or a half-day visit. Checking key venues (youth mall, Kyungdong1960, small library, etc.) in advance and planning your route will make the experience richer. Enjoy shopping, a meal, and a relaxing cup of coffee.