One second it’s there, the next it’s gone: Jeonju Nambu Market’s Dokkaebi Market

“One second it’s there, the next it’s gone: Jeonju Nambu Market’s Dokkaebi Market”

Even locals born and raised in Jeonju are unaware of this magically fleeting market that offers great deals.

The Dokkaebi Market, which appears and disappears next to the river at Jeonju Nambu Market from 5 AM to 9 AM while everyone else is asleep, is exactly that.

I visited the place myself.
I arrived at the Nambu Market before dawn at 6 AM.

To the right, you can see tents and lights.
You can also see the merchants of Nambu Market getting ready for the Dokkaebi market.

Under the bright street lights, today’s star, the Dokkaebi Market, is forming.
I crossed the riverbank for a closer look.

Various vegetables that fill our tables were displayed around the riverbank.

Onions, carrots, cabbages, water dropwort, green onions, garlic, ginger, spinach, and bellflower roots are all quite colorful.

The sight of merchants waking up at dawn brings life and energy.

A feast of fruits unfolds with seasonal persimmons, mandarins, strawberries, fresh Shine Muscat grapes, kiwis, apples, bananas, pears, tomatoes, and lemons.

Handwritten signs reading “Wond” and “Soybean Powder” catch your eye.
You can feel the care that grandma put into preparing and drying them.

There is a wide variety of dried vegetables and grains as well.
Anchovies, crucial for soups and side dishes, are available in various sizes.

There are also fresh seafood items.

Fresh cockles, raw shrimp, raw oysters, yellow corvina, Spanish mackerel, cutlassfish, common squid, mackerel, Pacific saury, Alaska pollock, and other seafood dishes that will enhance any ordinary meal make you feel cheerful.

There’s even skate at Jeonju Nambu Market’s Dokkaebi Market!
Even early in the morning, there’s a steady stream of people excited to buy fresh ingredients, and watching them is quite enjoyable.

After taking a stroll near the river, I start to feel chilly.
Just then, I spot some delicious fish cake skewers made with seafood and vegetable broth.
A visit to the market isn’t complete without enjoying some food.
Due to the cold, warm drinks like coffee are quite popular.
After warming up, I head back up to the road.

At the top, I see the Dokkaebi Market lined with colorful tents side by side.
It still looks more like late night than early morning.

There’s a vendor selling plastic sheeting as well.

The atmosphere really brings the vibrant market to life.

The sidewalk next to the road is brightly lit by street lamps, making the ingredients clearly visible.

Along the roadside, ingredients freshly arrived from farms are busy welcoming customers.

Large Korean radishes are neatly lined up, forming a pathway.
The pumpkins and sword beans are also charming.

The setup is as convenient as a supermarket, with low prices that make shopping very appealing.

After touring the road, I returned and browsed the household goods on display.
Warm hats, watches, and bracelets are also on display.

USBs filled with songs that would appeal to the elderly are for sale.
I’ve seen radios, but this upgraded version is quite impressive.

The day is brightening, and dawn is breaking.
At the Dokkaebi Market, a variety of goods are being sold in a bustling scene of energetic people.
The market’s fleeting appearance adds a touch of rarity and fun, but most importantly, the goods are affordable and exceptionally fresh.

The tangerines I bought were praised as the tastiest I’ve tried this year.

Make sure you check out Jeonju Nambu Market’s Dokkaebi Market.
You’ll have a fun experience and find some of the best value items!

 

 

📍Jeonju Nambu Market Parking Lot
187-14 Jeon-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk State