A daily-plus-five-day market in Usan-dong, Buk-gu: biggest on dates ending 2/4/7/9, with farmers' vegetables and porridge, sujebi, and fritter lanes.
“On market days Malbau doubles in size.”
In Usan-dong, Buk-gu, Malbau Market is both a daily market and, on dates ending in 2, 4, 7, and 9, a large five-day market — the leading market of northern Gwangju. A longtime vendor says, “On market days Malbau doubles in size.” On those days nearby farmers spread home-grown vegetables and greens on stalls, and the lanes fill with the smell of red-bean porridge, sujebi, and fritters. “The people-watching beats the shopping,” he says, recommending a market-day morning. The permanent section opens on weekdays too, but the market's real face shows on the five-day market.
Practical
Market-day mornings are biggest; bring cash and a shopping bag.
Check the five-day-market dates for the full experience; the food lanes are especially lively.
Market days (dates ending 2/4/7/9) are the peak; autumn harvest lengthens the stalls.
