Seoul has plenty of cafés, cosmetics shops and famous tourist attractions, but there are also places where you can experience a very different side of Korean culture.
One of them is Seoul Yangnyeong Market (서울약령시장).
As you walk through the market, you will see Korean ginseng, jujubes, goji berries, omija, dried herbs and many other ingredients that are difficult to find in an ordinary supermarket.
It is a fascinating place to experience Korean food culture, health traditions and traditional Korean medicine all in one area.
In this guide, I will introduce some of the best things to do at Seoul Yangnyeong Market, including herbal ingredients, the famous “magic powder,” mugwort-related experiences, lunch ideas and how to get there.
What Is Seoul Yangnyeong Market?
Seoul Yangnyeong Market is one of Korea’s best-known traditional herbal medicine markets.
It is located around Jegi-dong in eastern Seoul, where many Korean medicine clinics, herbal pharmacies and specialist shops are concentrated.
As you walk through the market, you may see:
- Korean ginseng
- Jujubes
- Goji berries
- Omija (five-flavour berry)
- Dried roots
- Tree bark
- Korean herbal teas
- Various herbal powders
Many of these are things you may rarely see outside Korea.
“What is this?”
“How do people use it?”
Simply walking around and discovering unfamiliar ingredients is part of the fun.
Best Things to Do at Seoul Yangnyeong Market
1. Look for Korean Herbal Ingredients
One of the most interesting things to do is look for ingredients used in Korean cooking, tea and traditional herbal culture.
Some relatively approachable ingredients include:
- Jujubes
- Goji berries
- Omija
- Korean ginseng
Traditional Korean medicine may sound complicated at first, but ingredients such as jujubes and goji berries can also be used quite easily at home.
2. Experience the Unique Smell of the Market
One of the first things you notice when entering Seoul Yangnyeong Market is the smell.
The scent of dried herbs, roots, bark and ginseng creates an atmosphere that feels completely different from an ordinary food market.
It is one of those experiences that cannot really be understood from photographs alone.
3. Ask the Shopkeepers About Unfamiliar Ingredients
There are many ingredients in the market that visitors from overseas may never have seen before.
If you do not know how something is used, it can be fun to ask simple questions such as:
“Is this used for tea?”
“Is this used for cooking?”
Learning directly from the people selling the ingredients can make the market much more interesting.
What Is the “Magic Powder” at Seoul Yangnyeong Market?
When searching for Seoul Yangnyeong Market online, you may come across the phrase
“Seoul Yangnyeong Market magic powder.”
This does not appear to be the official name of one specific product.
Instead, some Japanese travellers use the nickname “magic powder” for powdered herbal ingredients sold for beauty and skincare purposes, including facial packs.
Some shops may sell individual powders or prepare blends depending on the intended use.
However, the ingredients and recommended uses can vary from shop to shop.
Rather than buying something simply because it is called “magic powder,” it is better to check:
- What ingredients it contains
- What it is intended to be used for
- How it should be used
before purchasing it.
Recommended Herbal Ingredients to Look For
Jujubes
Jujubes are frequently used in Korean cooking and traditional teas.
Dried jujubes can be eaten as they are, brewed into tea, simmered or sliced thinly and used as a garnish.
Their gentle natural sweetness makes them one of the easiest traditional Korean ingredients to try.
Omija (Five-Flavour Berry)
Omija (오미자) is a red berry commonly used in Korean drinks and teas.
When soaked in water, it creates a beautiful red-to-pink infusion.
It can be used for:
- Omija tea
- Syrups
- Sparkling drinks
- Jellies
- Sorbets
Its tart flavour and bright colour make it one of the most visually interesting ingredients to look for at the market.
Goji Berries
Goji berries are called gugija (구기자) in Korean.
Dried goji berries can be eaten, soaked in water, simmered or brewed into tea.
Their bright red colour also makes them easy to recognise among the many dried ingredients sold around the market.
Korean Ginseng
For many visitors, Korean ginseng may be the first ingredient that comes to mind when thinking about Korean herbal culture.
At Seoul Yangnyeong Market, you can find many different types of ginseng products, including dried and processed varieties.
Prices and uses can vary considerably, so it is worth asking about the type, intended use and preparation method before buying.
Can You Try Mugwort Treatments at Seoul Yangnyeong Market?
Some travellers also search for
“Seoul Yangnyeong Market mugwort steam”
or other traditional Korean wellness experiences.
The wider area is closely associated with Korean medicine and traditional health culture, and there are facilities where visitors can learn about or experience Korean herbal traditions.
If you are specifically interested in mugwort steaming or similar treatments, it is best to check the latest programme details, opening hours and reservation requirements before visiting.
Visit Seoul K-Medi Center Too
If you walk through the market without much knowledge of Korean herbs, you may quickly find yourself wondering:
“What is this?”
“What is it used for?”
That is why Seoul K-Medi Center is also worth visiting.
It is a cultural facility where visitors can learn more about Korean medicine, medicinal herbs and traditional health practices.
Visiting the centre before or after exploring the market can make it easier to understand what you are seeing in the shops.
Where to Have Lunch Near Seoul Yangnyeong Market
Seoul Yangnyeong Market is located close to Gyeongdong Market, another large traditional market.
This means you can combine your visit with a local lunch rather than coming only to look at medicinal herbs.
A nice way to explore the area is:
Seoul Yangnyeong Market in the morning
→ walk through Gyeongdong Market
→ have lunch at a local restaurant or market eatery
Combining Korean herbal culture + traditional markets + local food makes this area especially interesting for travellers who want to see a less touristy side of Seoul.
How to Get to Seoul Yangnyeong Market
The nearest station is Jegi-dong Station (제기동역) on Seoul Subway Line 1.
The market can be reached on foot from the station, and Gyeongdong Market and Seoul K-Medi Center are also located nearby.
The atmosphere here is very different from areas such as Myeongdong, Hongdae or Gyeongbokgung.
It is a good place to see a more everyday, local side of Seoul.
Basic Information
Name: Seoul Yangnyeong Market
Korean: 서울약령시장
Area: Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Jegi-dong Station, Seoul Subway Line 1
Opening hours vary by shop.
Herbal pharmacies, specialist shops and clinics may also have different closing days, so if there is a particular shop you want to visit, it is best to check before travelling.
Who Would Enjoy Seoul Yangnyeong Market?
- People who enjoy Korean traditional markets
- Travellers interested in Korean food culture
- People curious about traditional Korean medicine
- Anyone looking for Korean ginseng or jujubes
- People interested in omija or goji berries
- Travellers interested in mugwort or Korean wellness experiences
- People who want to explore a less touristy part of Seoul
- Anyone interested in Korea’s traditional ideas about food and health
It is especially interesting for anyone who wants to find
something more unusual than the typical Korean souvenir.
Be Careful When Bringing Products Back to Japan
Seoul Yangnyeong Market sells many different products, including dried plants, herbal ingredients, powders and processed foods.
However, the fact that something is freely sold in Korea does not automatically mean that it can be brought into Japan without restrictions.
Some plant products may be subject to plant quarantine rules, while certain products may be treated as medicines in Japan depending on their ingredients and claims.
Products containing particular animal or plant-derived ingredients may also be subject to separate import restrictions.
If you are buying large quantities or purchasing a herbal product with unfamiliar ingredients, it is a good idea to check Japanese import rules before bringing it home.
Seoul Yangnyeong Market Is Also Fun to Photograph
The market is full of unusual visual details:
- Huge bags of dried herbs
- Piles of jujubes
- Bright red goji berries
- Korean ginseng
- Dried roots and bark
- Traditional shop signs
There are plenty of interesting scenes to photograph.
However, if you want to photograph products or shopkeepers closely, it is polite to ask first.
Combining street scenes, shop signs and close-ups of herbal ingredients can help capture the unique atmosphere of Seoul Yangnyeong Market.
Korean Travel Becomes More Interesting When You Explore the Markets
When travelling abroad, it is easy to focus on famous attractions and popular restaurants.
But markets can show you something different.
You begin to see what people eat, what they traditionally consider good for the body, and what kinds of flavours and aromas have been part of everyday life.
Seoul Yangnyeong Market is a place where you can catch a glimpse of
the relationship between food, health and traditional Korean culture.
Discover an unfamiliar herb.
Look for jujubes or omija.
Ask a shopkeeper, “What is this?”
There is a side of Korea hidden in its markets that you cannot always find at the major tourist attractions.
If you are looking for somewhere a little different to visit in Seoul, Seoul Yangnyeong Market is well worth adding to your list.
