What is the Yeopjeon Lunchbox at Tongin Market?

The Yeopjeon Lunchbox is a unique experience where you purchase traditional brass coins (Yeopjeon) to buy small portions of food from various stalls and eat them at the market's Lunchbox Café.

How much does a Yeopjeon coin cost?

One Yeopjeon coin costs 500 KRW (approx. $0.35 USD). Visitors typically buy a bundle of 10 coins for 5,000 KRW (approx. $3.50 USD).

What is Oil Tteokbokki?

Oil Tteokbokki is a specialty of Tongin Market. Unlike soup Tteokbokki, rice cakes are stir-fried in oil with chili powder and soy sauce, giving them a crispy and chewy texture.

What are the operating hours for the Lunchbox Café?

The café operates from 11:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 11:00 to 17:00 on weekends. It is closed on Mondays and the third Sunday of every month.

Tongin Market Guide: Yeopjeon Lunchbox & Oil Tteokbokki in Seoul

Q: Is Tongin Market close to Gyeongbokgung Palace?

Yes, Tongin Market is located to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, about a 10-minute walk away, making it perfect for a combined day trip.

Tongin Market, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a traditional market with a long history, famously known for its unique "Yeopjeon (Brass Coin) Lunchbox" and "Oil Tteokbokki." Inside the market, visitors can experience exchanging traditional brass coins for various side dishes to create their own lunchbox, immersing themselves in a nostalgic atmosphere.

Since it is located very close to Gyeongbokgung Palace, it is a perfect course to enjoy a meal and snacks at Tongin Market after a palace tour. In this guide, we will cover how to use the Yeopjeon Lunchbox, the best places for Oil Tteokbokki, and essential tips for your visit.

Tongin Market

Tongin Market Yeopjeon Lunchbox Experience

The most distinct feature of Tongin Market is the "Yeopjeon Lunchbox" experience. "Yeopjeon" refers to the brass coins that were used as currency during the Joseon Dynasty. You can purchase these coins at the Customer Center and use them to buy food from various side dish shops in the market to fill your lunchbox. The value of 1 Yeopjeon is 500 KRW (approx. $0.35 USD), and visitors usually purchase a bundle of 10 coins (5,000 KRW / approx. $3.50 USD) to start.

Entrance to the Lunchbox Cafe at Tongin Market

Tongin Market Lunchbox Cafe

You can eat your lunchbox at the "Lunchbox Café" located on the 2nd floor of the market. After buying coins and collecting food from participating stores, return to the café to enjoy your meal. The variety of side dishes is vast, including Korean pancakes (Jeon), seasoned vegetables (Namul), fried foods, Kimchi, and Dakota-gangjeong (Sweet and sour chicken), making it a hearty meal.

Purchasing Yeopjeon

Yeopjeon Lunchbox Café Guide

Operating Hours

Weekdays: 11:00 ~ 16:00
Weekends: 11:00 ~ 17:00
Last Coin Sale: 1 hour before closing
Closed: Every Monday, 3rd Sunday of the month

Tips

Microwaves, water dispensers, and seating are available inside the café.
It can get crowded on weekends, so we recommend visiting in the morning to avoid long waiting times.

Food bought with Yeopjeon

Participating Stores and Recommended Menu

There are about 70 stores in Tongin Market that accept Yeopjeon payment. Most sell side dishes, pancakes, fried food, Gimbap, and Tteokbokki, offering a wide variety of choices at each stall.

The fun lies in walking around the market and tasting small portions of various foods, as most items cost just one or two coins.

Inside Tongin Market

Recommended Foods for Lunchbox

Jinmi Sikdang: Popular for warm side dishes like stir-fried pork (Jeyuk Bokkeum) and stir-fried squid.
Jamae Jeonjib: Famous for freshly made Korean pancakes like Kimchi-jeon and Dongtae-jeon (Pollack pancake).
Tongin Dakgangjeong: Sweet and spicy fried chicken bites that go perfectly with rice.
Oil Tteokbokki: The representative menu of Tongin Market, featuring rice cakes stir-fried in oil with savory and spicy seasoning.
Side Dish Shops: You can choose from various sides like Namul (herbs), Japchae, Fish cakes, and Gimbap.
Other Stores: There are many small food stalls accepting Yeopjeon, and some also accept cash.

Tongin Dakgangjeong

Must-Try: Oil Tteokbokki

One of the foods you cannot miss at Tongin Market is "Oil Tteokbokki" (Gireum Tteokbokki). Unlike the common soup-based Tteokbokki, this version is stir-fried in a pan with oil, seasoned with chili powder and soy sauce. It features a savory and spicy aroma with a unique texture that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Once you try it, it's hard to forget.

Wonjo Halmoni Tteokbokki

The most famous place in Tongin Market is "Wonjo Halmoni Tteokbokki (Original Grandma's Tteokbokki)." Having stayed in the same spot since the early 1980s, this shop is known as the originator of Tongin Market's Oil Tteokbokki. Thinly sliced rice cakes are stir-fried in oil and seasoned with chili powder and soy sauce, often served with eggs and fish cakes. You can choose between spicy and mild flavors.

Another popular spot is "Hyojadong Old-fashioned Tteokbokki." Famous for its soy sauce-based Oil Tteokbokki, it has a distinct sweet and salty taste. Here, you can enjoy fried food along with the rice cakes as a full meal plate.

Oil Tteokbokki

While many places sell Oil Tteokbokki in the market, these two shops—Wonjo Halmoni and Hyojadong—are the most steadily loved by locals and tourists alike.

Review: Yeopjeon Lunchbox Experience

Tongin Market is not very large, so about an hour is enough to look around slowly. The most efficient route is to exchange coins at the market entrance and then loop around based on the Lunchbox Café location to pick your side dishes. Stores that accept Yeopjeon have a clear sign at the entrance saying "Yeopjeon Accepted," so they are easy to spot.

Based on my personal experience, visiting around 11:30 AM, just before lunch time, was the most pleasant. At this time, the lines were not long, and there was a wide selection of side dishes. Oil Tteokbokki is great as a snack after finishing your lunchbox meal. In particular, eating the freshly stir-fried rice cakes right at the seating area in front of Wonjo Halmoni Tteokbokki was the tastiest way to enjoy it.

Places to Visit Nearby

Tongin Market is located to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, about a 10-minute walk away. Since both are in the center of Jongno-gu, they are great to enjoy together as a day trip course. It is recommended to tour Gyeongbokgung Palace in the morning and move to Tongin Market around lunchtime to enjoy a Yeopjeon Lunchbox meal.

After visiting Gyeongbokgung, walking along the Seochon Hanok Street is highly recommended. The area around Hyoja-ro and Jahamun-ro is filled with small galleries, traditional tea houses, and Hanok cafes, allowing you to spend a relaxing time in a quiet atmosphere. Enjoying a cup of coffee while strolling through Seochon after a meal at Tongin Market will complete your day perfectly.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul: A Complete Guide (Hours, Fees & Tips) - GybeLife

Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul with our complete guide. Find operating hours, admission fees, must-see spots, and tips for your visit.

en.gybelife.com

Tongin Market is a place where you can enjoy both a traditional market atmosphere and an interactive food experience in the heart of Seoul. The Yeopjeon Lunchbox sales method provides fun and entertainment for many tourists. It is a place where people of all ages can have unique fun and experience meals and culture together with various foods.

A day course enjoying Tongin Market's Yeopjeon Lunchbox fits well into any Seoul travel itinerary. If you want to feel the harmony of tradition and daily life, we highly recommend exploring Tongin Market and Gyeongbokgung Palace together.