Local markets and cafe streets draw foreign tourists

Foreign tourists are increasingly venturing beyond well-known attractions to explore neighborhood markets and hidden alleyways. They are sampling street food that puts a Korean spin on international favorites and seeking a glimpse of everyday life in South Korea, from its cafe culture to the local spots where residents gather.

At Mangwon Market in Seoul’s Mapo District on Oct. 14, food stalls displayed menus in English, Chinese and Japanese. Foreign visitors ate kimchi pancakes with their families at market eateries, while others strolled among the stalls with twisted doughnuts, croquettes and hot dogs in hand. Yamada Nao, a 51-year-old Japanese tourist carrying a twisted doughnut, said she had discovered the market through YouTube. “I’m also planning to try chili pepper fritters and sweet-and-sour fried chicken before I leave,” she said.

Jeonpo Cafe Street in Busan was also bustling with foreign tourists enjoying coffee and desserts on Oct. 16. Chinese visitors exploring the alleys near Jeonpo Catholic Church repeatedly exclaimed “piaoliang,” meaning “beautiful,” as they admired the rows of cafes and their interiors. For many foreign tourists, Jeonpo Cafe Street has become a must-visit destination in Seomyeon, one of Busan’s popular commercial districts.

According to the Korea Tourism Data Lab, Jeonpo 1-dong, home to the cafe street, attracted 674,272 foreign visitors through September this year, already surpassing the 473,875 recorded for all of last year. Monthly visits exceeded 100,000 in August. Local business owners say the influx is breathing new life into the neighborhood, but some residents worry about the downsides, including worsening traffic congestion.


정동진 haedoji@donga.com