La Touchante‘s heart and ribbon-shaped cake (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
La Touchante‘s heart and ribbon-shaped cake (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)

Following Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, the latest trendy spot for young Koreans is Mangwon Market. Still functioning as a conventional market, it has more recently become a sought-after place among locals and overseas travelers.

Once you arrive at the market, the sizzling sounds of deep frying fill the air, accompanied by the sight and aroma of vibrant, sweet-smelling snacks.

Visitors wait in line to buy tteokgalbi, or short rib patties, at Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
Visitors wait in line to buy tteokgalbi, or short rib patties, at Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
A vendor serves tteokbokki to his customers in Mangwon Market, Mapo-gu, western Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
A vendor serves tteokbokki to his customers in Mangwon Market, Mapo-gu, western Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)

Though Mangwon Market isn’t very large, it offers all the country’s beloved bunsik, the inexpensive street food ranging from gimbap, tteokbokki, Korean fish cakes and braised chicken.

Most of these small diners have been featured in reality shows such as “Running Man,” “I Live Alone” and a local food show “Wednesday Foodtalk,” and the popularity that brings has resulted in long lines.

If you want to refresh yourself after some delicious, yet greasy street food, head to the dessert cafes just around the corner.

La Touchante, a cafe right next to the market’s second west gate, beckons the guests with charming menus.

The three-story building’s window seats are great places to enjoy some fresh air with relaxing French music.

The cafe offers a wide range of drinks including different types of coffees, ades and teas.

But, the highlights are the cakes.

A popular option is the heart and ribbon-shaped cake.

The dazzling red color of the cake might lead visitors to anticipate the flavor of strawberries or cherries, but it’s filled with sweet chocolate cream, guaranteed to bring a smile to even the most discerning dessert enthusiasts.

If you find the chocolate taste too rich, enjoy a piece of whipped cream cake with fig preserves on top.

La Touchante‘s whipped cream cake with iced Americano (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
La Touchante‘s whipped cream cake with iced Americano (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
La Touchante (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
La Touchante (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)

Just across the market alley, Lazy Dog Cake offers cakes with personalized designs.

It offers custom-made cakes with the design and letterings of your choosing.

Lazy Dog Cake‘s cake with a Shin Ramyun design (Lazy Dog Cake)
Lazy Dog Cake‘s cake with a Shin Ramyun design (Lazy Dog Cake)

Meanwhile, Pasado is another cafe that beckons visitors with luxurious desserts and leisurely atmosphere.

The visitors can sense the tantalizing aroma mixed with coffee scent even from the entrance.

This three-story building, filled with ambient music and serene vibe, might make some travelers to feel as if they came to a museum.

Pasado‘s Pasadospanner with blueberry cheese cake (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
Pasado‘s Pasadospanner with blueberry cheese cake (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
Pasado (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)
Pasado (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald)

The cafe‘s homemade apple pie or brownies are steady sellers, but two of the most popular menu items are the blueberry and strawberry cheese cakes. The cafe owners said the cheesecakes were both great matches with Pasado’s signature drink, Pasadospanner.

Pasado can be found next to Mangwon Market’s west gate No. 3 nearby Mangwon public parking lot.

Visiting traditional Korean market is one of the must-do for local and overseas travelers, first-time or otherwise. These markets offer the holidaymakers a chance to experience some of the authentic Korea lifestyle, explore lesser-known areas in the city, window-shop diverse merchandises to enrich your travel experiences in Seoul. The Korea Herald introduces some Seoul-based street and flea markets other than the most popular Gwangjang Market. This article is the first in the series -- Ed.