6 Best Places to Go Shopping in Gyeongju

Jungang Market (lit. Central Market) in Gyeongju is rich in history and a favourite among locals who refer to it as The Lower Market. It's located in the middle of Gyeongju, and due to its proximity to the nearby intercity bus terminal, it's frequented by locals from the outskirts of the city. The market is home to more than 700 shops that deal in everything from household goods to clothing, fabrics, miscellaneous goods, food, marine products, meat and rice cakes. In the early morning, a fruit and vegetable wholesale auction opens up, where you can buy in bulk at low prices. The night market, which opens at 6 pm, is popular with tourists. You can try many types of interesting food while sitting at a table in the middle of the market. Locals here favour the ox-head soup and rice (Someori gukbap).

The Gyeongju Seongdong Market is one of the city's largest traditional markets. Founded in 1971, it has over 300 vendors and stores selling a variety of goods – making it one of the best places to go shopping in Gyeongju. 

Locals often visit the market in the early morning to shop for fresh produce, fruits, and seafood which are sourced from Gyeongju and surrounding areas. The Gyeongju Seongdong Market is just across the road from Gyeongju station. 

Gyeongju is home to many 5-day markets. Some of the most well-known include Gampo Market, Bulguksa Market, Yangnam Market, Hwangseong Market and Seomyeon Market, some of which have become permanent. The Angang 5-Day Market opens around existing shopping centres on dates ending in a 4 or 9. At 5-day markets, you can find fresh, inexpensive produce grown locally and seafood from nearby Pohang. The Angang market is particularly famous for having many sesame oil shops. It's sought after by many frugal people looking to derive their own sesame oil and perilla oil or grind red peppers and perilla seeds.

Hwangnam bread is one of the many specialities you’ll find in Gyeongju. This artisan bread is a red bean pastry that was first baked by Young-hwa Choi in Gyeongju back in 1939, and is now available throughout the country.

The best place to buy Hwangnam bread is at Hwang Nam Bbang, which is run by the Choi family. It’s located at the Hwango Intersection, about 1 km northeast of Geyongju Express Terminal.  

The Gyeongju Folk Craft Village consists of 40 hanok (Korean wooden homes), where local artisans produce traditional arts and folk crafts. Here, you’ll be able to see how traditional Korean handicrafts are made. Some stores offer hands-on workshops at reasonable prices. 

Among the many things you can buy here include pottery, woodcrafts, jewellery, and embroidery – prices are usually cheaper compared to most places in Daegu. Make sure you look around for the products of your choice and negotiate for the right price.