[THEME] Buy diverse items at affordable prices & meet generous merchants
Ongnyeon Traditional Market
However, you can find a “solid traditional market” in Yeonsu-gu that firmly takes its presence against the aggressive marketing and opening of these super supermarkets.
Writer Lee Hyun-joo
Photographer Hong Seung-hoon
State-of-the-art marketing strategies attract patrons.
Unlike many other traditional markets that are losing their vitality, the “Ongnyeon Traditional Market” in Ongnyeon-dong, Yeonsugu is filled with dynamic vibe. The sound of merchants yelling to attract patrons and people asking for more at lower prices awakens the quiet alley of the market. Opened in 1997, Ongnyeon Traditional Market features 81 stores including 18 street vendors.
Following its renovation project in 2011, the market now offers a cleaner and convenient grocery-shopping environment with its modern infrastructure. For example, people can shop by using the “U Smart Marketing Service” from their smartphone, and have their groceries delivered to their door if they pay a shipping charge for each item (1,000 won per item up to 10 kg, within four kilometers). The giant arcade was installed to offer a more convenient shopping experience in any weather. The big advertisement screen shows information on items that are on sale, and the newly stocked items of each store.
Available only at Ongnyeon Traditional Market
There is a wide array of special foods you can have only at Ongnyeon Traditional Market. “Muksarang” is always crowded with patrons where they traditionally sell acorn jelly (muk) cooked in the nickel silverware lunch box just as our older generations did. Here at Muksarang, their best-selling item was muk, but today new menus replaced the position of muk. A lot of people line up for snacks with unfamiliar names such as “Gongryongal”, “SsiatKkulppang”. “Gongryongal” is rounded fried bread with sweet potato fillings. It is sold at 500 won for each piece. “SsiatKkulppang” is made with the owner’s ambitious recipe. It is also sweet bread with either red bean fillings or sweet potato fillings. It is very savory, when you chew it with various kinds of seeds sprinkled on top of honey on the bread. (1,000 won for each piece). Barbequed chicken skewered on a long stick and the grilled sausage are also abundant and tasty.
Finding fun life with people
A cute little girl and her mother are talking about shoes at the “Grand Shoes” shoe shop.
“What kind of style do you like?” “These!” “Well, the heels are too high…let’s try another pair.”“No. No, I’ll wear Cinderella shoes and I’ll become a princess~.” When the shop owner wraps the pink shoes with high heels in a black plastic bag, the child jumps with joy. The shoe shop has a wide array of shoes.
(Sandals: 5,000 won ? 9,000 won, children shoes: 10,000 won- 30,000 won)
“The prices are much lower, yet the styles are good. So I often visit this shop. It’s close to my place so it’s even better,” says the mother of Ji-hye who says she enjoys shopping at Ongnyeon Traditional Market.
At “HarimDakjip”, a cute Vietnamese lady is very skillful with a big knife. The “chopped-chopped-chopped” chickens will be served up for spicy braised chicken dinner (Dakbokkeumtang). “GangseoCheongkwamul Market” is full of seasonal, fresh fruits. The cash paid by patrons goes to the red money basket. The money basket is hung on a rubber rope and whirls around. “Jangteosusan” is famous for fresh fisheries, yet is even more famous for good-looking shop owners who are siblings. The four staff members at “Hongjechuksan” are always cheerful. They work very hard and fun under the slogan “Good prices, and just like the first time to repay for patrons.” (Special bargain items: one pack of Korean beef soup ingredients ? 5,000 won and 10,000 won at flat prices, three geun (approx.. 1.8kg) of marinated galbi (rib) ? 10,000 won)
“DaebuNongsanmul” is situated in one corner of a long alley inside Okryeon Discount Supermarket. Cucumbers and eggplants are neatly displayed in a manner that is not unlike the character of the storeowner. A basket of glutinous corn (3,000 won) is ready for summer snacks.
The boisterous “Ongnyeon Traditional Market” is full of the dynamic energy of people. Sometimes, people argue for a few more free items, but that’s life. When you feel that your life is boring, come and visit Ongnyeon Traditional Market. There is a “recharger” for your life and you’ll be filled with energy.
“Hongjechuksan” are always cheerful. They work very hard and fun under the slogan “Good prices, and just like the first time to repay for patrons.” (Special bargain items: one pack of Korean beef soup ingredients ? 5,000 won and 10,000 won at flat prices, three geun (approx.. 1.8kg) of marinated galbi (rib) ? 10,000 won)
“DaebuNongsanmul” is situated in one corner of a long alley inside Okryeon Discount Supermarket. Cucumbers and eggplants are neatly displayed in a manner that is not unlike the character of the storeowner. A basket of glutinous corn (3,000 won) is ready for summer snacks.
The boisterous “Ongnyeon Traditional Market” is full of the dynamic energy of people. Sometimes, people argue for a few more free items, but that’s life. When you feel that your life is boring, come and visit Ongnyeon Traditional Market. There is a “recharger” for your life and you’ll be filled with energy.
