The historic alleys of Seoul Yangnyeongsi are filled with herbal medicine shops, ginseng, and centuries-old Korean medicinal culture.

Don’t Miss These Places in Korea #46. The Smell of Ancient Korea: Exploring Seoul Yangnyeongsi & the Herb Medicine Museum

When foreign travelers think about Seoul, they usually imagine sleek skyscrapers, trendy cafés in Seongsu-dong, luxury shopping streets in Gangnam, or the neon lights of Hongdae. Seoul certainly has all of that. It is one of the most modern cities in Asia.

But beneath that futuristic image, there is another Seoul that has quietly survived for centuries.

A Seoul filled not with the scent of coffee, but with dried herbs.
A Seoul where wooden medicine drawers replace luxury storefronts.
A Seoul where people still believe that health can be restored through roots, bark, flowers, and time.

That place is Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market in Jegi-dong.

A Different Side of Seoul That Most Tourists Never See

As someone who has lived in Seoul for a long time, I sometimes feel that many foreign visitors only experience the “surface” of the city.

Of course, places like Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae are exciting. But if you truly want to understand Korea beyond shopping malls and Instagram cafés, places like Seoul Yangnyeongsi are far more memorable.

This is not a recreated tourist attraction designed for visitors.

It is a real working herbal medicine market that has existed since the Joseon Dynasty. Even today, traditional medicine doctors, herbalists, and local customers still visit this area daily.

That is what makes this place feel so authentic.

How to Get to Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market

Seoul Yangnyeongsi is located in Jegi-dong, in eastern Seoul near Dongdaemun.

The easiest way to get there is by Seoul Subway Line 1.

Subway Directions

• Station: Jegi-dong Station (Line 1)
• Exit: Exit 2
• Walking Time: About 1 minute

Once you leave the station, the atmosphere changes almost immediately.

If you are staying in popular tourist areas:

• Seoul Station → Jegi-dong: around 20 minutes
• Myeongdong → Jegi-dong: around 20 minutes
• Dongdaemun → Jegi-dong: about 5 minutes

For first-time visitors to Korea, Seoul Subway Line 1 can feel surprisingly local and old-fashioned compared to newer subway lines. During rush hour, it becomes crowded with office workers and elderly residents.

But honestly, that is also part of the experience.

This area feels much less commercialized for tourists and much more connected to everyday Korean life.

The Smell Hits You First

The moment you enter the market streets, the air feels completely different from the rest of Seoul.

There is a strong mixture of scents:

• dried ginseng
• cinnamon
• licorice root
• mugwort
• jujubes
• medicinal herbs that many foreign visitors have probably never seen before

At one corner of the market, I once watched a giant herb-cutting machine continuously slicing thick medicinal roots into thin pieces while clouds of herbal scent filled the alley.

Near another store, dozens of old wooden drawers covered an entire wall from floor to ceiling. One foreign friend told me it looked like “a potion shop from a fantasy movie.”

That description honestly was not far from reality.

Unlike modern shopping districts in Seoul, this place feels textured, aged, and deeply connected to Korea’s older cultural identity.

Source: The Seoul Institute, Seoul Metropolitan Government

Why Foreign Tourists Find This Place Fascinating

Many travelers search online for:

• “traditional medicine market in Seoul”
• “where to buy Korean ginseng”
• “herbal medicine street Korea”
• “authentic local markets in Seoul”

Seoul Yangnyeongsi is probably one of the best answers to those searches.

What surprises many foreign visitors most is that this place is not simply historical—it is still alive.

Elderly Koreans genuinely come here to buy herbal ingredients for their health. Traditional medicine clinics are still operating. Shop owners still carefully organize massive sacks of herbs exactly the way they have for decades.

It does not feel staged for tourists.

And that authenticity is becoming increasingly rare in modern cities.

Recently Featured on Korean TV Shows

Interestingly, Seoul Yangnyeongsi has recently gained attention among younger Koreans again through television programs.

In October 2024, the popular Korean variety show How Do You Play? (“놀면 뭐하니?”) filmed an episode around the Yangnyeongsi Market area.

The cast explored traditional health foods and herbal medicine culture, while the playful chemistry between actor Lee Yi-kyung and guest chef Park Eun-young—who also appeared on the cooking show Culinary Class Wars (“흑백요리사”)—became a memorable moment for viewers.

After the episode aired, some international fans even began searching for the filming location.

I think that is part of what makes this area so interesting:
it is simultaneously ancient and modern, traditional and still connected to contemporary Korean culture.

The Herb Medicine Museum Is Surprisingly Well Designed

Inside the market area, you will also find the Seoul K-Medi Center and the Herb Medicine Museum.

Honestly, I initially expected a small local museum.

But the interior is far more modern and interactive than many people expect.

The museum explains:

• the history of traditional Korean medicine
• how herbal ingredients are categorized
• how medicine was practiced during the Joseon Dynasty
• the philosophy behind acupuncture and herbal treatments

Fortunately for foreign travelers, English explanations are reasonably well prepared.

One thing I particularly liked is that the museum is not simply “look but do not touch.”

Depending on the day, visitors may experience:

• herbal foot baths
• tea programs
• health-related cultural activities

which makes the visit feel much more immersive.

Best Time to Visit & Important Travel Tips

The market streets themselves are open at all hours, but most actual shops close relatively early compared to other Seoul tourist areas.

Typical Business Hours

• Around 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Some stores close on Sundays

The Herb Medicine Museum and Seoul K-Medi Center are also often closed on Mondays, so checking the official schedule before visiting is highly recommended.

Personally, I think the best visiting time is:

• Tuesday to Friday
• Around 10 AM to 3 PM

That is when the market feels most alive.

The lighting is also much better for photography during those hours.

What to Buy Here

Many foreign tourists buy:

• Korean red ginseng
• herbal tea
• traditional health snacks
• herbal bath products

as gifts or souvenirs.

However, prices can vary significantly from store to store.

Some shops target tourists, while others mainly serve local customers. Taking your time and comparing products is part of the experience.

Even if you do not buy anything, simply walking through the market itself is worthwhile.

Many famous Korean health foods are also deeply connected to ingredients sold in this market. Foods such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), herbal teas, and traditional hanbang-style dishes all originate from the long medicinal food culture that remains alive in places like Seoul Yangnyeongsi.

Places Nearby Worth Visiting Together

One reason this destination works so well for travelers is that it can easily connect with other Seoul itineraries.

Nearby Places

• Gyeongdong Market
  One of Seoul’s largest traditional markets
• Cheongnyangni Market Streets
  Old local restaurants and authentic market atmosphere
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
  A fascinating contrast between traditional Korea and futuristic Seoul design

Personally, I think this combination creates one of the most interesting “old and new Seoul” travel days possible.

Why This Place Feels Important

Seoul changes incredibly fast.

Old neighborhoods disappear. Buildings are replaced. Trends constantly shift.

But places like Seoul Yangnyeongsi remind visitors that Korea’s identity was not built only through technology and modern development.

It was also built through older traditions, everyday beliefs, and generations of ordinary people trying to care for their families and health.

Walking through these herbal market streets, surrounded by the scent of roots and medicine, feels less like visiting a tourist attraction and more like briefly stepping into another layer of Korean history.

Before leaving, I bought a small bag of herbal tea from one of the oldest shops in the alley. Even hours later, the scent still remained inside my backpack as I walked back toward the modern skyline of Seoul.

That lingering herbal scent somehow felt like the perfect metaphor for Seoul itself — a city racing toward the future while still quietly carrying fragments of its ancient past.

FAQ

Is Seoul Yangnyeongsi worth visiting for tourists?

Absolutely. If you want to experience a more authentic and traditional side of Seoul beyond shopping malls and trendy cafés, this market offers one of the most unique cultural experiences in the city.

Can foreigners buy Korean ginseng here?

Yes. Many stores sell Korean ginseng, herbal tea, and traditional health products that are popular among international visitors. Prices and quality may vary, so exploring multiple shops is recommended.

Is the Herb Medicine Museum free?

Admission policies and special programs may change depending on the season or exhibitions. It is best to check the official information before visiting.

Can I ask additional travel questions about this area?

Yes. Since the comment section is currently closed, feel free to contact me through the blog’s contact page or email for additional travel questions about Seoul Yangnyeongsi and nearby local areas.

Sources & References

• Seoul K-Medi Center Official Information
• Visit Seoul Official Tourism Guide
• Personal observations based on visits to Jegi-dong Yangnyeongsi area
• MBC How Do You Play? (October 2024 episode)

Operating hours, exhibitions, admission policies, and programs may vary depending on the season or official schedule changes. Please check official sources before visiting.