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Published on 18 Jun 2017
The
Bamdokkaebi Night Markets are one of the most iconic events in Seoul
that runs from spring to fall. We take a glimpse into the city's vibrant
night scene filled with food trucks selling all kinds of festival foods
and arts and crafts booths.
Yeouido Hangang Riverside Park offers a place to relax for Seoul residents.
In one corner of the park, there is a group of young people. After making sure that everyone is present, they start drawing lots. They are the owners of food trucks that will participate in the Bamdokkaebi Night Market in Yeouido.
After deciding on the place to operate, 45 colorful food trucks enter the park one after another. The market opens at 6 p.m., but preparations begin as early as 3 p.m.
"We're preparing early so that customers won't have to wait long."
The Bamdokkaebi Night Markets are found at Seoul's four major tourist attractions, from April to October, on Friday and Saturday nights. Each market has a unique theme.
"We wanted to open night markets that were unique to Seoul. The idea was to create nighttime attractions in Seoul and to support startups run by young people."
The night markets welcomed 3.3 million visitors last year alone. Due to their growing popularity, winning a concession to operate a food truck was a lot harder this year.
"We invited 10 experts from different fields including chefs, marketers and even automobile designers for the screening process which took three days. The criteria were strict."
Food trucks were carefully selected to ensure that there are no overlapping menu items and guarantee diverse food options for visitors. People start arriving hours earlier than the opening time. A long queue has formed outside trucks serving popular items.
Finally, it's 6 p.m.
"The night market is now open."
And the vendors get busy.
"I heard we need to wait 40 to 50 minutes if we come after 6 p.m. So we arrived at around 5:30 p.m. and looked around the place."
They whip up different kinds of tasty delights, from lobster to steak to galbi. Foods are served in disposable containers, but they taste just like what you could get at a decent restaurant. They are sold at an affordable price, usually below 10 U.S. dollars.
"We had steak, rice and butter shrimps. They were good."
"I'm thinking about coming back with my family next time."
The "Yeouido World Night Market" offers a selection of international dishes and desserts. The owner of a truck selling Middle eastern food is Elliot Taesoon Kahng, who is from Chicago, the U.S.
"Last year, we wanted to register for Bamdokkaebi but it was too late. So we prepared very hard and luckily got in this year. We wanted to focus on more exotic food which is how we start it doing middle eastern food chicken shawarma and falafel."
Nicholas Campo from France prides himself on his original French crepe recipe. Sliced fruits are topped with whipped cream or chocolate sauce and delicately wrapped in a paper thin translucent crepe.
"My wife is Korean. So I really wanted to make food truck. So I thought i thought do crepe. The crepe is a good idea. I thought that current people really like real French crepe."
Kim Hyeon-soo, a vendor in a sixties, selling skewers, sticks out from the young food truck owners. How does he find the night market experience?
"I don't see them as competition. I like mingling with young people. I feel younger."
Like many night markets, no dining areas are available here. Visitors eat standing or sitting on the street, looking out at the Hangang River. But that's what makes it more fun.
"I really enjoyed sitting on the riverside, chatting and having a drink with my friend."
After snacking, visitors can enjoy magic shows or busking in one corner of the market or look for handmade crafts from young artists.
"Amazing. There are so much good food and so many food truck and lots of little places to shop and you get to see other hand made products. I love night market and i love see different ones and this is definitely the best night market i've been to."
The night markets not only make a great place for a night out, but also help aspiring restaurateurs test their ideas and turn their dreams into reality.
"It's great that I can cook and sell food from my truck. My next goal is to open a restaurant."
The Bamdokkaebi Night Markets offer everything you want for a fun filled night out, from the beautiful night view to the cool night air to a wide selection of foods.
Yeouido Hangang Riverside Park offers a place to relax for Seoul residents.
In one corner of the park, there is a group of young people. After making sure that everyone is present, they start drawing lots. They are the owners of food trucks that will participate in the Bamdokkaebi Night Market in Yeouido.
After deciding on the place to operate, 45 colorful food trucks enter the park one after another. The market opens at 6 p.m., but preparations begin as early as 3 p.m.
"We're preparing early so that customers won't have to wait long."
The Bamdokkaebi Night Markets are found at Seoul's four major tourist attractions, from April to October, on Friday and Saturday nights. Each market has a unique theme.
"We wanted to open night markets that were unique to Seoul. The idea was to create nighttime attractions in Seoul and to support startups run by young people."
The night markets welcomed 3.3 million visitors last year alone. Due to their growing popularity, winning a concession to operate a food truck was a lot harder this year.
"We invited 10 experts from different fields including chefs, marketers and even automobile designers for the screening process which took three days. The criteria were strict."
Food trucks were carefully selected to ensure that there are no overlapping menu items and guarantee diverse food options for visitors. People start arriving hours earlier than the opening time. A long queue has formed outside trucks serving popular items.
Finally, it's 6 p.m.
"The night market is now open."
And the vendors get busy.
"I heard we need to wait 40 to 50 minutes if we come after 6 p.m. So we arrived at around 5:30 p.m. and looked around the place."
They whip up different kinds of tasty delights, from lobster to steak to galbi. Foods are served in disposable containers, but they taste just like what you could get at a decent restaurant. They are sold at an affordable price, usually below 10 U.S. dollars.
"We had steak, rice and butter shrimps. They were good."
"I'm thinking about coming back with my family next time."
The "Yeouido World Night Market" offers a selection of international dishes and desserts. The owner of a truck selling Middle eastern food is Elliot Taesoon Kahng, who is from Chicago, the U.S.
"Last year, we wanted to register for Bamdokkaebi but it was too late. So we prepared very hard and luckily got in this year. We wanted to focus on more exotic food which is how we start it doing middle eastern food chicken shawarma and falafel."
Nicholas Campo from France prides himself on his original French crepe recipe. Sliced fruits are topped with whipped cream or chocolate sauce and delicately wrapped in a paper thin translucent crepe.
"My wife is Korean. So I really wanted to make food truck. So I thought i thought do crepe. The crepe is a good idea. I thought that current people really like real French crepe."
Kim Hyeon-soo, a vendor in a sixties, selling skewers, sticks out from the young food truck owners. How does he find the night market experience?
"I don't see them as competition. I like mingling with young people. I feel younger."
Like many night markets, no dining areas are available here. Visitors eat standing or sitting on the street, looking out at the Hangang River. But that's what makes it more fun.
"I really enjoyed sitting on the riverside, chatting and having a drink with my friend."
After snacking, visitors can enjoy magic shows or busking in one corner of the market or look for handmade crafts from young artists.
"Amazing. There are so much good food and so many food truck and lots of little places to shop and you get to see other hand made products. I love night market and i love see different ones and this is definitely the best night market i've been to."
The night markets not only make a great place for a night out, but also help aspiring restaurateurs test their ideas and turn their dreams into reality.
"It's great that I can cook and sell food from my truck. My next goal is to open a restaurant."
The Bamdokkaebi Night Markets offer everything you want for a fun filled night out, from the beautiful night view to the cool night air to a wide selection of foods.
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