10 Reasons to Visit Seoul Hangang Moonlight Market – 2023 UPDATE

The metropolitan city of Seoul presents Hangang Moonlight Market for a fun evening out during your stay in the city (except when freezing Korean winters have their time). With its huge success year by year since 2015 (when previously called Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market), Hangang Moonlight Market has become a go-to place to relish the evening breeze and some new trends.

Based on my visits in 2017, here are 10 reasons why I think you should include Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market) in your itinerary. Some of the details about the market may not be the same after its recent rebranding (including its new name), but the general idea remains the same!

Bustling Seoul vibes

As mentioned earlier, Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market) is attracting more and more people who seek cool cultural venues. A lot of couples, friends and families flock to this outdoor night market for dates, gatherings or just chillaxing. Come and feel how Seoul citizens spend their weekend evenings.

Food trucks tempting your empty stomach

It’s impossible to imagine Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market) without a dazzling array of food trucks! Some menus may overlap between a couple of trucks, but mostly they serve various international foods to try. Choose your pick as your stomach tells you! Cash and card both are accepted for payment.

Fried chicken delivered to your lap

When you enter the area, with a high chance, you’ll encounter some guys distributing leaflets to advertise food delivery services. If you want to give it a go or are already a huge fan of chicken & beer (a.k.a. chimaek), this is it! Order and wait wherever you settle down at the market site, and soon Korean-style fried chicken will be on your lap.

Convenience stores nearby for beers

Got your chicken from delivery or cooked food from the food trucks? Then, beers and/or other drinks come next in order to enhance this cultural experience. Convenience stores stock both Korean and imported beers and alcoholic beverages at reasonable rates. Alternatively, you could try alcohol-free beverages uniquely found in Korea. 😉

Cycling along the river

One of the famous things about the Han River and river parks is the cycling routes along the Han. With that, you could arrive at the park a little earlier than the sunset and pedal a bike! After cycling, recharge yourself with tasty food and drinks – a refreshing and nice way to wrap up your day in Seoul.

Night view of the river and the city

Since Seoul is distinctively divided by the Han River, taking a river view of the city into your memory is highly recommended. How to appreciate the landscape is the next question, to which Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market) is the answer. The contrast of the dark river and the sky, to the bright light on city buildings and the sellers’ tents, presents a great night view.

Handmade goods under bright-coloured tents

What may strike your first sight as you reach the night market is a row of tents with vivid colours, shining in the dark night (or during the sunset if you’re early). Each tent is a shop where sellers place their beautiful handicrafts for sale. It’s fun to browse what’s on the table at each stall and you might also find the perfect souvenirs for your friends and family back home, or for yourself!

Bridge Rainbow Fountain shows

The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain shows are a special feature of the night market. The Banpo Bridge has a record as the longest bridge fountain in the world, which spans 1,140m with 380 nozzles. Though the tunes may not be the most up-to-date, the movement of water columns with the colourful light projection creates beautiful outdoor entertainment, while you appreciate the food and the evening breeze.

Live music band

Scrumptious food and a night view of the city & the river. Hmm… if you feel something is missing, then it must be music! Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market) presents various live band music and performances, which will stimulate your sense of hearing besides smell, taste and sight. Yes, you won’t get bored at this night market!

Various picnic sites make Seoul more romantic

At Hangang Moonlight Market (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market), more than just a few great spots are available for where to eat. Choose your favourite area, sit or lie down, eat and chat with your companions!

1. Grassy bits for a conventional picnic

This is a typical but reliable choice as a picnic site. You can even set up a tent if you feel like adding a luxury element, as long as you take it down before 11pm!

2. Riverside for the up-close view

While grassy areas offer plenty of spaces for picnickers, you might want to fully absorb the river and the city. In that case, settle down at the riverbank! Because the ground feels harder, take a picnic mat if necessary. Also, one strange but rather fascinating scene you may observe at Banpo Romantic Moonlight Market is a tidal change of the Han River! When this happens, security staffs turn up to tell people to clear the space and to come up to the higher steps. If you’re going to dine here, please make sure to take away with you what you’ve been eating. Otherwise, it all goes to the river as floating rubbish, of which I saw a lot sadly…

3. Tubester floating on the river (Banpo)

If you fancy an extra special location for supper, a Tubester ride may do the job for your group. A round boat with an orange-coloured parasol can take up to 6 people and you pilot it to enjoy a scenic view on the Han River! Take the food and non-alcoholic drinks on board from the night market’s food trucks, nearby convenience stores or even the delivery service, and become part of the river view. Note that you cannot take alcoholic beverages on the boat and the staff will keep them during your ride. Check out the Tubester information below for more details. The availability is weather- and tide-dependent and the last boarding time is 40 minutes before closing. If you can read Korean, visit Tubester’s Instagram account for real-time daily updates on its availability.

Seoul Hangang Moonlight Market Information 2023 (previously known as Bamdokkaebi Night Market)

Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market officially returned after breaks due to the pandemic. Something to note is that it has been rebranded as Hangang Moonlight Market. In addition, (this is me guessing) perhaps the organiser wanted to focus on riverside locations rather than various spots across Seoul. Here is the information on Hangang Moonlight Market 2023 at Banpo Hangang Park and Yeouido Hangang Park.

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