The night market is back. ‘Hangang Moonlight Night Market’, also known as ‘Bamdokkaebi (Night Goblin) Night Market’ has returned to the Han River. This is an outdoor festival held along the Han River Park hosted by Seoul City. Due to Covid-19 regulations, the city could not host the popular event for 3 years. As the highly anticipated festival is back on again with its new name and much more things to enjoy, it is currently going viral among youth. So, what is so special about this festival?

▲ Various Eateries from the Night Market (Photo from The Dankook Herald)

   The ‘Hangang Moonlight Night Market’ returned on August 26 at Moonlight Square in Banpo Han River Park, attracting more than 82,000 people on just its opening day. It is open every weekend until October 30 and organizers are expecting many more visitors to pass through the event until then. Patrons can enjoy delicious street food, participate in various promotional events, shop for products in the marketplace, and even enjoy a romantic night view of Seoul from underneath the Banpo Bridge. As this year is more diverse than before, visitors’ expectations are heightened; with 39 food trucks and 60 stores available for browsing, the event promises a lively atmosphere.

   As for the vogue of the night market, it has been held since 2015 and its popularity has been significant enough to record 3.41 million visitors by 2019. It was also named the 4th ranked Seoul night festival in the city survey ‘Top 10 News Voted by Citizens’. However, the significance of the first ‘Hangang Moonlight Night Market’ after the Covid-19 outbreak is much more special. As Director for Labor, Han Young-hee emphasized, this market provides citizens with a break from their daily lives and small business owners with a chance to meet consumers after being denied this great opportunity for a long time.

   The night market is open from 17:00 to 22:00 only on weekends. There are food trucks for steak, sushi, chicken skewers, ice cream, coffee, and much more. Surprisingly, the food truck culture was not widely popular in Korea until just a few years ago. Citizens could only find these trucks near schools or on random streets. However, this festival contributed to the settling of this casual dining format in Korea. In addition, 60 different flea markets are selling second-hand goods for a reasonable price in the marketplace area. Since the marketplace is right next to the food trucks, participants can easily browse for unique products while waiting for their meal orders. For those who are tired of walking around the big park, there are also some seated events to enjoy. For instance, free outdoor shows next to the riverside will be held weekly. On top of that, the rainbow fountain, a magical water display using sound and light, will be pouring out from the Banpo Bridge every evening and is a must-see free event. This festival is clearly not only for foodies but also for people who love taking pictures!

▲ A Flea Market and Outdoor Orchestra Performance in Banpo Hanriver Park (Photo from The Dankook Herald)

   On September 17, three reporters from The Dankook Herald (DKH) visited the Banpo Han River Park to experience the night market. From the entrance, the air filled with a mouthwatering smell, and there were at least 20 different food trucks parked along the riverbanks. Among the food trucks, steak and shrimp were the most popular, but almost all were popular enough that visitors have to line up for more than 30 minutes. The average price for food was about 10,000 won (8 dollars) and the drinks were about 4,000 won (3 dollars). The DKH reporters tried bulgogi sushi made of beef brisket, long churros, and a non-alcoholic cocktail drink. All three tasted great for their reasonable price. After devouring all the food, they browsed the little stores, including the flea market. The first shop they entered sold inexpensive 10,000 won handmade perfumes and handed out testers. The next shop carried handmade bags and clothes, which were also sold at a reasonable price of 25,000 won (18 dollars). The reporters found cute hand-knitted cases for phones and earphones. The most popular stores were the accessory shops which displayed pretty rings, earrings, and necklaces for all ages and sexes. DKH Reporter Jeon, who bought three rings from different accessory shops, stated that “Purchasing these hidden gems at an affordable price while receiving friendly customer service, made this market better than most online shopping malls.” Finally, the reporters did not want to miss the beautiful night scenery from the festival. Since there were plenty of seats available, they were able to comfortably enjoy the eye-catching rainbow water fountain display from the bridge.

▲ The Dankook Herald Reporters Standing in Front of the Moonlight Night Market’s Moonlight Installation (Photo from The Dankook Herald)

   Hangang Moonlight Night Market is a must-visit place this fall for everyone. In terms of food and activity, DKH reporters had much more to enjoy than they thought. One tip for the already packed festival is that they advise Dankookians (Students of DKU) to get there before sunset. The DKH highly recommends that Dankookians have a fun night out at the night market and make delightful memories. Why not try some delicious food and enjoyable activities in the center of Seoul?