KOREA VLOG Ep. 4: Street Food Tour of LARGEST Traditional Market in Seoul | Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun (남대문) is the OLDEST & LARGEST traditional market in Seoul, South Korea. 🇰🇷
Today I'm gonna take y'all with me to the Namdaemun Kalguksu Alley. This alley got multiple stands, and each stand has almost the same exact menu. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them.
You must come to this place to try out their knife-cut noodle at least once. I honestly think they are better than the Netflix Knife-Cut Noodle Lady. 🤷🏻‍♂️
We also went back another day to eat Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancake), Tteokbokki (Rice Cake), and Kimbap while wifey did some shopping~
Besides the food, there are many vendors, retailers, and wholesalers here, and that's how you know you can get some GOOD DEALS. We come here for food and clothing, but wifey comes here for all the good socks & baby clothing.
Tips: Bring a suitcase, so you don't have to carry everything by hand. Trust me!!
Have you ever been to Namdaemun Market?
What are some of your favorite spots at Namdaemun? Let me know in the comments 🥳
Blog post on food guide to Namdaemun: chefchrischo.com/foodies-guid...
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00:00 Introduction
00:17 Namdaemun Kalguksu Alley
03:46 Famous Hotteok
05:10 Japchae or Regular Hotteok?
06:30 Namdaemun Shopping
06:57 Street Food (Tteokbokki, Kimbap)

[@razinamarjan1110]

I applaud you for how your able to multitask with carter strapped to you.. it's sad but Ur one of the few dads that actually does this, no fuss, with your kid.. keep it up 😊😊

[@ChefChrisCho]

Haha thanks glad your respect the daddy hustle. 🙏🏼 some might say why you eating your kid?? But dammmn daddy gotta eat too yaaa mean?? 😋

[@razinamarjan1110]

@@ChefChrisCho yess, deffo gotta eat n get those gainz 🤣🤣. Nah but on a real note, your setting expectations high 🤣🤣👍👍

[@FlavorofMind]

Agree 😅 taking care of the young one, but importantly keeping the food front and center!

[@TheSuz23]

Despite having been to this market many times during my visits to Korea, and having watched probably what I would speculate to be hundreds of vlogs, food documentaries, and etc., on it and the variety of foods offered, I never get bored of watching these videos and seeing people enjoy the food. Love it, Chris!!! 👏

[@pianogus]

Cringing thinking the baby's head is right in the.middle of the frenzy. Hehehe😆. Great video. Made me hungry for some real knife cut Korean noodles!!!😋🥴😜🤣🤪🤦🏻‍♂️🙏🏼

[@FlavorofMind]

Really digging this relaxed & delicious vibe. Looking forward to watching more, Chef Chris! 🙏

[@jkim92677]

Really enjoying your vlogs!

[@londonunnie]

Really missing Korea right now. Chef's wife saying aishhh when he's feeding her tteukbukgi was so funny. Such a cute relationship and reminds of the ilsaes in my hometown

[@handleishandlebar]

Ha I love how humble your both are. Not for nothing, but when you both compliment eachother well.. I'd watch more of these vlogs

[@rhiannaturnquist4325]

I love seeing you and your wife explore Korea and eat delicious food!! Low key I heard that Philly come out when you were talking about people staring!! 🤣

[@ChefChrisCho]

😎👊🏼 them staring forreal got me bringing that philly out. Can’t ever take the philly out of me

[@lindaeng4978]

Everything you ate looks so delish. I only wish I had a higher tolerance for spicy foods. I can’t wait for the day that I can visit Korea. Keep these videos coming please. I’m taking notes!😄😋😋❤️

[@ChefChrisCho]

THANKSSSSS LINDA!! 🙏🏼🥳

[@lindagregory5125]

Thank You for sharing your visit to Korea. I love Korea. Wished I could go back. I get to though you’re videos. Thank You so much.

[@ryantorrez1863]

Everything looked delicious Chef! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and adventures with us!…. Yeobosayo! 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thanks for watching fam. I really appreciate it. Gives me courage to keep shooting more of these 🙏🏼

[@jingcc0121]

I like your guys’ perspective. Keeping it 💯. Thanks for sharing! I appreciate your wife she the real!!

[@ChefChrisCho]

I appreciate that! Wifey always be real

[@ireneshim9959]

You guys are so cute together. Glad you tried Namdaemun food.

[@AD53600]

Love going on adventures with you guys 😄😄

[@ChefChrisCho]

🙌🏼🥳 thanks for watching us

[@jessicaschoen9102]

My first time watching your vlogs.. I loved it!! So interesting!! Hope you n your family are enjoying yourselves!! Have fun.. be safe!!

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you Jessica!! 🙏🏼

[@chunitagold1213]

All the foods look delicious it all seems so tasty and first time coming across your videos I just love how authentic this vlog is, Korean culture is a vibe haha I just had to subscribe👍

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you so much 😊

[@FlavorofMind]

Definitely selected some tasty stuff for this video - also subscribed!

[@LemansSunset350]

Your channel is gonna get grow quickly! Keep up the great work!

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏼

[@txtopherr9525]

love your channel

[@ChefChrisCho]

🙏🏼 thank you!!!

[@kunabubbles8035]

Love ur wife response. She pay more attention to the business aspect of things.

[@muhammadhazwan7546]

Waoouuu ❤❤❤ you and wife so sweet chef 😊😊😊, nice place for the day 😊😊😊

[@yangtze873]

As a Big Samoan living in Korea I know how you feel when people stare 😂 But it’s alguds. Just smile, bow and walk on. Life’s too short to throw hands for nothing 😂 Bless up @ChefChrisCho love your work !!! From a fan in Daejeon ❤️

[@ChefChrisCho]

Haha trueee. Most of the time but sometimes I forget it in Korea not philly. 🙃

[@the_pexwiththesphynx4]

I love learning about Korea and Korean food! I want to go so bad! Thank you for sharing your time with us! Love your videos! 😁

[@ChefChrisCho]

Hope you can visit Korea one day!! You’ll have the best time there 🥳

[@Changelingheart]

The world chefs all say Korean Street Food is the best in the whole world!!!

[@FlavorofMind]

You'll love it when you get here 🙂 there are simply too many foods that just blow people away 🤣

[@thomasaiu999]

Aloha Chef Chris happy 2023 bro nice journey taking us along to ur home Korea ur multitasking with ur son strapped to you that’s chef/ daddy skills noodles yum all the foods u post share and eat looks so darn good 👍

[@ChefChrisCho]

Aloha Thomas!! 🙏🏼 Mahalo for following along~

[@joungpark6226]

You two are just the cutest, plus baby Carter🥰

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thanks Young 🥰

[@shinjigami]

The hairtail alley in Namdaemun is also a good food stop, been there in 2019 and i'm hoping to come back this year

[@FlavorofMind]

Have had some of that hairtail... absolutely delicious! Love Namdaemun!

[@schoolio64D]

Man…I haven’t been to 남대문 since 1996 and Korea since ‘97. I really need to get back there. Love watching you and the fam explore the city. Any plans to visit somewhere more rural?

[@FlavorofMind]

Hope you get to come back someday... it's so worth the trip and has a definite vibrancy going on these days 🙂

[@angelacorrea290]

I CAN TELL YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME! LOOKS DELICIOUS 😋

[@ChefChrisCho]

Haha yea honestly I didn’t even think none of these would make it as a vlog. Just wanted to document my hungry ass 😎✌🏼

[@angelacorrea290]

😂😂😂 we are going to have to back to your dad's place. Can he make some of the things you guys ate?

[@davidhughes3527]

Spicy cold noodles is all time fav!

[@ChefChrisCho]

👌🏼💯

[@luciacervantes6461]

Damn Chef .... literally salivating!!! Running, not walking to this market!! 2023 bucket list!! Gracias 😁

[@ChefChrisCho]

YESSS RUNNNN!! 🥳

[@mrslickkRick]

Sup Chris! Followed you on tiktok and didn''t know you had a YT. Love this content!

[@ChefChrisCho]

Ayyyy!!! Thanks for following from TT to KZbin 🙏🏼🥳

[@williamsrosie2421]

Looks so delicious. You should have an open class for us in Phila to come and cook with you.

[@ryanjasso7308]

Bro I’m glad your make more content like this I started watching you on Facebook and now I’m subscribed to your page keep making these videos plz bro lol

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thanks for the sub! Appreciate you following from FB to KZbin!! 🙏🏼🥳

[@oolongteaforjoyluck17]

I get so hungry watching you eat noodles! 🍜

[@FlavorofMind]

Ha - you're right, he does eat all of this food with an enthusiasm that adds to the delicious vibes! 😅

[@ipune]

I wish you'd visit a craft brew pub or two. During my last visit to Korea I spent time at several craft beer places, which were nowhere near as common as in US. Did have some excellent craft beer and food.

[@FlavorofMind]

I've been surprised with the quality of the craft beer in certain Seoul spots! Gotta check out more...

[@glohebert4048]

Started following on TT and now on YT. LOVE how hand ons dad you are! Give your wife a break. Love it!! Also, LOVE that your wife actually said something about the “famous” cut noodle stall!! I soo wanted another opinion on it. Love y’all’s vibe! ❤

[@ChefChrisCho]

Ayyy thank you for following me from TT to YT!! Appreciate you Glo 🙏🏼

[@ChefChrisCho]

I normally don’t like talking about other people’s business either but wifey said it first

[@glohebert4048]

@@ChefChrisCho I love your wife. Her facial expressions are priceless! She can’t lie. Lol

[@clairelim4816]

Fun fact: The noodle shops in NDM has sort of union so their price same and taste similar. You don’t have to feel confused. Just go sit anywhere where the seat is available.

[@ChefChrisCho]

Yea it’s def the experience more than the taste 🤯

[@a.infinitygroupinfinity3215]

I love bi bimbop I first had it in 1998. I have the veggie one with sunny side up egg and plum sauce!

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤤 love that!!! Is that how you like it now too?

[@razinamarjan1110]

Whilst I'm watching this, my mouth is watering... And I just had dinner so the food looks guuudd 😋😋 also, when mentioned the staring problem, I was dying 🤣🤣 cuz the same thing happens to me when I got to my parents country... It's like they know Ur foreign 👀👀

[@ChefChrisCho]

Cuz if it was in America I would’ve been like “what’s really good??” 😎

[@razinamarjan1110]

@@ChefChrisCho 🤣🤣🤣, yes, it's better not to mess with the locals 👀👀

[@dalisayreyes8893]

Wow looks yummy

[@ChefChrisCho]

It was! Definitely check out if you’re in Seoul~

[@Changelingheart]

Thank you!! Loved this installment of your vlogs!! Part 4!! I missed the baby at the end, tho we hear him cry and your wifey's (her name is Janet?) heart breaks!! Broke mine too!! First babies!! 😭

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you so much Lois!! Yea, Carter woke up from his nap~

[@TravelingAmerican]

You are one again all over my area of Seoul! I see the ladies cooking every weekend. If you haven't been to Dongmyo yet, you need to go. It is on the Dark Blue line. The best fish soup place is tucked away in the back. If you're interested, I will get you the address. If you go to 동묘앞, It is like going back to the pre 1980's Korea.

[@FlavorofMind]

Agree - Dongmyo is a good hang! I should do some more eating around there, now that you mention it 🙂

[@kevinespino8845]

🌴Aloha from Honolulu, Hawaii!🌴I'm filipino, but I love Korean food!😋

[@ChefChrisCho]

Aloha!!! Thank you for loving Korean food!!! 🥳🇰🇷

[@bkbjorn3487]

Dude. Came here to ck u out from ny man Steve@Not Another Cooking Show. I subbed when you said you was gon whip some azz cuz ppl staring! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ChefChrisCho]

Haha I’m so korean but that’s the philly in me that popped out. Glad you liked it cuz we almost edited it out just to keep it chill 😎

[@NewYorksFinest]

Damn, This joint got me HUNGRY! Especially even more so, cause I got covid right now (1st time) so I'm fiending for just some nice warm food lol. Always a pleasure watching your videos. I'm dead though, I started cracking up @ 9:07

[@ChefChrisCho]

Feel better brotha!! And we were debating if we should delete that part out… I guess we didn’t 🤷🏻‍♂️ a lot of people been asking how Koreans treat foreigners… the same good or bad 😎

[@NewYorksFinest]

@@ChefChrisCho Thanks Chris! Nah you're good fam, I feel like that happens regardless. No matter where you are in the world, people stare cause of how you dress, how you look or just because. I been through it a lot lol.

[@tameraplumer6056]

"Im Korean but Korean people here got a staring problem, Ima bout to whip some ass!" 😂😂😂 Too funny

[@ChefChrisCho]

💪🏼😎👊🏼 better stop it

[@teeosp2577]

Ohmygoodness! So yummy look.

[@ChefChrisCho]

jawwwwwn FIREEEE!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@teeosp2577]

@@ChefChrisCho 🙂

[@virtualtour4u85]

칼국수 맛있어보여요 ㅎㅎ

[@seoulsister94]

Okay Chris, I have been to Namdaemun twice since coming back in October and I have not seen the Kalguksu place 😭 I want to try the noodles! I know Namdaemun is big but I just figured I'd run into that place! I guess that means I will be going back very soon to look for that place. The hotteok I had there was flat and not fried, the hotteok I have had where I live in, Pyeongtaek, at the street market is fried and has the sugar and pumpkin seeds, which I like but I do need to try the one your wife likes. As always, thanks for sharing!

[@ChefChrisCho]

Oh no!!! When you go back to Namdaemun, make sure to search on the map for “Namdaemun Kalguksu Alley” it should show up~

[@davelee999999]

Naver map location links would be helpful for your viewers…. Just saying

[@seoulsister94]

Hey Chris, made it back to Namdaemun and found the Kalguksu place after asking the information people wearing the red jackets. I don’t know how many times I passed the entrance without knowing. The food was delicious! Even my son loves the noodles. Plus we tried the vegetable hotteok, I know why ur wife likes them better! Thanks again for sharing the places you visited in Korea🫶🏼

[@rnjs378]

knife noodle without 쑥갓 (crown daisy?) for people from Daejeon is like having a pho without cilantro.

[@davidroth7084]

Yo hurry up and add more videos. I’m going April 1st. I want to hit the really authentic places. And if you have any recommendations for a jjimjilbang please let me know.

[@FlavorofMind]

Great call, April is a wonderful time to come here! You'll have a blast. I recommend grilled or pan fried deodeok ('deodeok gui') if you want something super flavorful, authentic, and unique! 🙂

[@Shiitashi]

I absolutely adore and admire the dynamic between umma & Appa - carter baby, I think you’re going to have a life full of so much fun and love. True fun, true love. Side note - Appa sayin he bout to whoop some ass lol. Aite G

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you!!! Don’t tell Carter I was trying to whoop some ass ahahha

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤫🤫🤫

[@lasennui]

Me: ah, don't steam the baby. Auntie: be careful with your baby 😂 Food looks great :)

[@hiepnguyen-si2ny]

Hey Chef Chris, huge fan here! I love your videos! May I make a suggestion, sometimes you speak english and throw in some korean when explaining a dish or something (This is what i do when I speak vietnamese too!), is it possible if you could put subtitles for the korean words that you use? much appreciated, sometimes i dont know what we're talking about :D

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thanks Hiep!! I’ll try my best to edit that into the closed captions 🙏🏼

[@hiepnguyen-si2ny]

@@ChefChrisCho you the man bro, love your recipes, and videos! 146k subscribers and still goin!

[@deyonnac6381]

I gained 5lbs just watching you both eat.🤣😂 That Kimbap looked legit. Guess I need to work on my filling to rice ratio.😂🤣

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤣 don’t blame me for the weight gain

[@meemzzz]

I’m Vietnamese and the staring situation is wild. I be staring back just as hard like damn.

[@ChefChrisCho]

It’s a whole competition out there

[@Daniel.puopolo]

You’re such an amazing father and husband!👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 love how you multi task. Most men just leave the wife to do everything.

[@ChefChrisCho]

Teamwork makes the dream work 🥳

[@jasonjoe733]

damn, ya'll throw down!

[@user-jw3ge1hf5q]

애기 머리위에 뜨거운거 떨어질까봐 조마조마했어요ㅎ

[@ChefChrisCho]

ㅋㅋㅋ 걱정마세요~

[@dragonknight77]

I think the hotteok spot was on running man in a recent ep.

[@ChefChrisCho]

Oh!!! Is that what it was haha I just knew it was on some tv shows

[@Ysoie]

Are there lots of empty storefronts like in Myeongdong cos of the pandemic? I’m heading over again in May and I’m slightly scared of what I’ll find- last time was 2019 and it was a whole different world.

[@TravelingAmerican]

Everything is basically back to normal

[@ChefChrisCho]

Yep yep back to normal 🙏🏼

[@bbockHY]

울나라 시장 어머님들은 기본적으로 3개국어 하신다더니 (영어, 중국어, 일본어 등등..) 비빔밥 믹스 하라고 😂👍 ㅋㅋㅋ 글고 영어로 호떡집 대화중에 뒤에서 끄덕이는 외국분도 재밌고 ㅋㅋ 그나저나 미국에서 건너온 블루보틀에 한국에서는 초코호떡 파는거 아시나요? ㅎㅎ 남대문시장에서는 항상 사람 많아서 호떡 못먹었는데 오늘 블루보틀 가서 먹어야겠어요😃 ㅋㅋㅋ 커피보다 비싸다는게 흠이지만요......;; ㅋㅋ

[@ronb.8920]

They were some big hotteok; def bigger than I buy at HMART.

[@ChefChrisCho]

Hahaha $1.50 worth it!!

[@DianeC.]

Hello Chris!!! The noodles looked really delish. Everything you show us sure looks good. I heard Korean people do like spicy food. Wish we had street food here in OHIO!!! Is your pretty wife Korean??? My Son took me out for lunch today. First time I have been to a restaurant since nasty covid hit. We went to a new Chinese Buffet and I was in my glory. It was very yummy. Wish I could be tasting all that great food with you and your wifey!!! Take Care...Nice video!!!...

[@ChefChrisCho]

Hey Diane!! Yep, wifey is also Korean. We do love spicy food. Hope you can find some street food one day~ appreciate you 🙏🏼

[@Muuhman30]

Man I want to go to Korea so bad.

[@ChefChrisCho]

DOOOOOO IT~~ 🥳

[@chongmoua5873]

😋

[@teocong7504]

Is there English menu at the Kalguksu place? 😅

[@ChefChrisCho]

Not sure…

[@cruisinf3053]

Love the Vlogs pls keep them coming. Sub! 🙂

[@ChefChrisCho]

More to come! 🙏🏼

[@ariadnaquintero1495]

Donde está ese restorante

[@ChefChrisCho]

Philly

[@joshyi1406]

Did y'all eat all that in one sitting?!

[@nenajijackson8049]

I think you and I would be dear friends. I love your approach to showing the world the beauty of Korean food and culture! Ktown is probably my favorite part of LA! Thanks for filming in Korea!

[@ChefChrisCho]

Thank you Nenaji!! What are some of your recommendations in LA Ktown??

[@nenajijackson8049]

For first timers I recommend BCD Tofu House on Wilshire. For those who enjoy handmade noodles, I recommend Ma Dang Gook Su. For good flavor, I recommend Man Soo on Western. I go to M Grill on Wilshire; not Korean but super yummy! When I want Brazilian steakhouse, M Grill. I eat everywhere in Ktown. I buy at least 25 percent of my wardrobe there too! I love the community and I always get loved back!

[@nenajijackson8049]

Man Su is on 6th.

[@texasburbs4380]

'Koreans have a staring problem and I am Korean....I may have to kick some ass'.......I will be there in March, so what you are saying is to be prepared for stares? Got it...thanks for the tip! LOL

[@ChefChrisCho]

Yeppp get ready for all the stares. They aint got beef with you but it’s just a thing they like to do. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@esthervang86]

Lol! I like how u said you’re Korean and ppl in Korea got staring problems! Hahaa

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤣🤣🤣

[@suzannehitztaler7379]

Would you say Seoul is ok to get around and interact if you don’t speak Korean? Or is it pretty difficult

[@ChefChrisCho]

It’s pretty convenient to get around Seoul without speaking Korean. A lot of signs has English on it~ A lot of foreigner friendly places!

[@JohnxInfinity]

Regular Hotteok on a cold winter night - perfect combination just sayin

[@ChefChrisCho]

Hotteok just taste better when it’s freezing!! 🥶 😋

[@wowyummyyy]

L I K E 👍👍👍👍👍 ✳✴ ✳✴✳ 😻😻😻😻

[@skatingcanuck9837]

Chef Chris do you enjoy Indian food?

[@vaughnhart3342]

she is cute

[@jasonyu8290]

Haha, you sound like me when you speak Korean to 아줌마s. So polite and sound like a kid

[@ChefChrisCho]

Hahaha yeppp, that’s the only way~~

[@jasonyu8290]

@@ChefChrisCho Dude, my wife and I will stop by your restaurant one day. Yeobosaeyo!!!

[@yadwindersingh5187]

Jai Haryana

[@esthervang86]

My husband strictly likes Asian food. I like other foods and Asian food.

[@crisjao1544]

누나 looks like lee yuri

[@teecheeks]

😂😂😂

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jttang3148]

Knife cut, not hand cut

[@ChefChrisCho]

I actually caught that but didn’t change it because i knew someone like you would comment on it. 1 extra comment I be clout chasing 🤯🥳

[@traceely6594]

I ❤ur wife.

[@chongmoua5873]

Woop some ASS! 😂

[@ChefChrisCho]

🤣🤷🏻‍♂️ just might have to

[@kian9786]

COULDN'T AGREE MORE the netflix ajumma noodles is not good at all so overhyped

[@user-lf6rn4sw3y]

SO agree about the Netflix kalguksu place no longer being good. It may have been good once, but Gwangjang market overall has gone down in quality, Would never recommend going there

[@777RL]

칼국수 isn’t that great. When are you going to the 순대 할머니?

[@frankgibert2165]

Koreans look at you cause you are filming plus you speak English very well, lolol

[@twenty5charlie]

Careful not to drop scalding noodles on your baby’s head.

[@jashamzah9543]

I’ve always watched people go here and wanting to try it when i’m going to Korea. Is the ingredients muslim friendly? 🥹 i really wanna try em but not sure about the ingredients. Looks so good tho!