Main Building (Buildings A and B)

Buildings A and B form the Main Building of Namdaemun Market and are the oldest structures on the site, standing where a historic grain storage facility operated during the Joseon period. Positioned at the heart of the complex, they represent the original historical core of the entire market. What to see here provides insight into the market's deep-rooted heritage spanning centuries.

Ilchul Building (Japanese Colonial Apartment)

The Ilchul Building is a residential structure from the Japanese colonial era, situated within Namdaemun Market's grounds in Seoul. Its original Japanese name, Hinode (日出), translates to 'sunrise'—a meaning preserved in its current Korean designation, Ilchul. Today, market traders have repurposed it primarily as office and storage space, though it stands as a tangible reminder of Seoul's complex early 20th-century history.

Galchi-jorim Alley

Kal-guksu Alley

Kal-guksu Alley is a narrow 100-metre passage within Namdaemun Market, lined with stalls serving traditional Korean dishes—kalguksu, bibimbap and naengmyun—at bargain prices. The alley's cramped, vintage character, with diners packed elbow-to-elbow along shared tables, makes it one of Seoul's most authentic eating spots. Popular with locals rather than tourists, it's the real deal if you want authentic Korean food without the frills.