Mangwon Market Food Guide 2026: Top 5 Spots & Tonkatsu

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When international travelers plan their Seoul itinerary,

one of the most popular hubs is

the vibrant Hongdae area,

along with its trendy neighboring districts, Yeonnam-dong and Mangwon-dong.

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While Gwangjang Market often steals the international spotlight,

Mangwon Market is the true hidden gem

loved equally by adventurous travelers and Seoul locals.

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Located just a short walk or quick subway ride from the main Hongdae strip,

Mangwon Market has become an absolute must-visit destination.

Thanks to its incredibly affordable prices and unique street food scene,

it's a paradise for foodies exploring Korea.

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Today, I'm sharing the ultimate Mangwon Market food guide,

including an honest review of Basak Macha,

the famous tonkatsu spot recently featured on Netflix's hit show Culinary Class Wars Season 2!

📍 Mangwon Market
2nd Floor, 27 Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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The food stalls here aren't just trendy;

many are legendary institutions in their own right.

Because everything is so delicious and incredibly budget-friendly,

I've rounded up the absolute best spots you need to try.

Culinary Class Wars Tonkatsu Spot

Basak Macha at Mangwon Market

Right at the entrance of Mangwon Market (coming from Mangwon Station),

you'll find Basak Macha, a shop specializing in crispy pork cutlets.

To give you my totally honest review:

while it's definitely good,

I'm not entirely sure it's so mind-blowing that it needed a reality TV feature.

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However, where it truly shines

is its absolutely unbeatable value for the price.

The breading is wonderfully light

and boasts an insane, satisfying crunch.

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They even sell them in a convenient "roll katsu" format,

making it super easy to eat while you walk around the market.

For a quirky dessert,

they also offer a flaming marshmallow ice cream

that they torch right in front of you!

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Since it made waves on Culinary Class Wars,

it's definitely worth tasting at least once.

Handmade Pork Loin Katsu - ~$3 (Discount if you buy 3)

Whole Mozzarella Cheese Roll Katsu - ~$3

Mac & Cheese Roll Katsu - ~$4

Flaming Marshmallow Ice Cream - ~$3

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Just a heads up, the dipping sauces are sold separately

and will cost you an extra ~$0.40 to ~$0.80.

Top 5 Mangwon Market Street Foods

Featuring Uirak Stuffed Peppers & Q's Fried Chicken

1. Uirak (Stuffed Chili Peppers)

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This is the legendary spot that put Mangwon Market

on the map for many Koreans. It's famous for massive fried stuffed peppers and makgeolli (rice wine).

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Expect to find the longest line in the entire market here.

Many people also grab them to-go.

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Original Stuffed Chili Peppers (3 pieces) : ~$8 - ~$9

Uirak Cream Makgeolli : ~$4

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In my opinion, this is the absolute #1 must-try at Mangwon Market.

They've become so popular recently

that they've even started opening branch locations across the city.

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2. Hoonhoon Hotteok (Bburinkle Hotteok)

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Even though it's tucked away in a basement,

the line for this sweet pancake shop regularly stretches up the stairs.

They deep-fry the dough to create a perfectly chewy texture,

and then generously coat the outside

with 'Bburinkle' (a popular Korean sweet-and-savory cheese powder)

or roasted soybean powder for the ultimate sweet-and-salty kick.

Hotteok Varieties - ~$1 to ~$2

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3. Q's Dakgangjeong

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Featured on countless Korean variety shows,

this spot is a true icon of Mangwon Market.

Unlike standard fried chicken joints,

their standout feature is the massive variety of glazes.

(Think honey garlic, cheese mustard, white cream, and more!)

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You can choose your portion size,

ranging from a small walking cup to a large box,

making it the perfect snack to graze on while exploring.

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Cup Size - ~$3

Small Box (Half chicken / Choose 2 flavors) - ~$7

Large Box (Whole chicken / Choose 3 flavors) - ~$12

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4. Mangwon Tteokgalbi

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Offering both mild and spicy handmade grilled short rib patties,

these are so thick they almost look like massive meatballs.

Just watching them sizzle in their own juices

on the giant iron griddle

is enough to make your mouth water.

They make a fantastic meal substitute or a great late-night snack with a beer.

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Handmade Tteokgalbi (4 pieces) - ~$9

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5. Mangwon Croquette

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The ultimate budget-friendly spot to grab a quick bite

specializing in twisted donuts (kkwaebaegi) and stuffed croquettes.

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The prices are almost unbelievably low, offering incredible value.

It's the perfect place to experience classic, old-school Korean market flavors.

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Twisted Donut - ~$0.80

Various Croquettes - ~$0.80 to ~$1

📍 Uirak (Mangwon Main Branch)
22 Poeun-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

📍 Mangwon Tteokgalbi
25 Poeun-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

📍 Mangwon Handmade Croquette
80 Mangwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

📍 Basak Macha
64 World Cup-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

📍 Q's Dakgangjeong
27 Mangwon-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Beyond these top 5, you'll find crazy deals that seem impossible with today's inflation,

like hearty bowls of hand-cut noodle soup (Kalguksu) for just ~$3 to ~$4,

alongside fresh sushi stalls and classic Korean street food carts.

As you wander through Mangwon Market,

you'll be tempted at nearly every corner!

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If I had to narrow down my personal favorites,

I'd say Uirak's stuffed peppers and Q's Dakgangjeong

are universal crowd-pleasers that you simply can't skip.

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If you're looking for an immediate snack while walking,

Mangwon Croquette's donuts offer the best bang for your buck,

and Basak Macha's tonkatsu is delicious

whether you eat it piping hot or save it for later.

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When you visit Seoul,

I highly recommend carving out a few hours

to eat your way through Mangwon Market.

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It's incredibly close to Hongdae,

making it an easy and authentic addition to your itinerary.

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Because Hongdae is such a major tourist hub,

there are plenty of reasonably priced accommodation options nearby to serve as your basecamp.

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▶ Book Guesthouses near Mangwon Market (Under ~$77)

▶ Book Holiday Inn Express Hongdae (Prime Location)

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