Daehangno Philippine Market

Daehangno Philippine Market in Seoul
Daehangno Philippine Market

Daehangno Philippine Market is a unique Sunday street market in Hyehwa-dong that sells groceries, food, snacks, and other products from the Philippines. If you are looking for hard to find products of the Philippines, then this is your one stop spot in all of Seoul. There is nothing else like it in the city.

This small market dating back to 1997 is sometimes called “Little Manila.” It is located near Hyehwa Catholic Church and is a big draw for the Filipinos residents of Seoul.

It is estimated that 1,000 to 2,000 make their way here every Sunday including many Filipinos who currently live in Seoul. To them, the Daehangno Philippine Market is the closest thing to actually being back at home in the Philippines.

You can also find many Koreans and other visitors from around the world who come here to try many tasty street foods while being immersed in the culture of the Philippines.

Balut, a common street food sold in the Philippines found at Daehangno Philippine Market
Balut, a common street food sold in the Philippines found at Daehangno Philippine Market (Credit)

Just one of the strange and unique food items you can find being sold here is balut. Balut is an egg that is boiled with a developing duck embryo inside of it. After boiling, the egg is cracked and the contents inside are eaten just like a hard boiled egg.

Those who would rather skip on the strange balut will be happy to find skewers of chicken and pork, stews, spring rolls, curries, cakes, ramyeon, mangos, banana fritters, eggs, and other uniquely Filipino snacks.

Skewers of chicken and pork on the grill at Daehangno Philippine Market in Seoul
Skewers of chicken and pork on the grill

Other than food you can find magazines, art works, music, and even toiletries and beauty products such as shampoos, lotions, and deodorants.

The market takes place north of Hyehwa Station every Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. Shops start to close up around 16:00.

Goods from the Philippines at the Daehangno Philippine Market
Assortment of goods from the Philippines