[photo from visitseoul.net]

Seoul Yangnyeong Market is one of the most famous oriental medicine markets in Korea. The market slowly started to establish itself in the late 1960s when small medicinal herbs stores started opening one by one. Today, the market has grown to become the nation's largest oriental medicine market, and 70 percent of the oriental medicine traded in Korea goes through here. Because the market is able to minimize distribution costs, the medicinal herbs sold here cost around 30 percent cheaper than elsewhere. As traditional Korean medicine gains popularity, more and more tourists from China or Japan come to Korea.

Korea's largest oriental medicine market

When you enter Seoul Yangnyeong Market, you are immediately struck by the unique, pungent fragrances of Oriental medicine. All Korean medicinal herbs can be found here including several types of ginseng, dates, milk vetch roots, as well as a variety of herbal medicine preparations for maintaining good health. More than 800 oriental medicine shops and clinics are located in this area.

Great as gifts

For international visitors, the most popular gifts to take home are ginseng and mushrooms, both of which can be found at Seoul Yangnyeong Market. Red ginseng is particularly popular, due to its accreditation around the world for its proven effectiveness at restoring energy, and Youngji mushrooms are frequently purchased as they are known to prevent a range of adult diseases. Additionally, rare ingredients for traditional folk remedies such as frogs, terrapins, freshwater shrimp can also be purchased here at the market. The market also sells products like cactus fruits, cockscomb seeds, corn silk, and mulberry roots at reasonable prices. Herbal medicine preparations are available at several “Tangjewon” (oriental medicine brewery and distillery) located all over the market. “Tangjewon” prepare herbal medicines and conveniently vacuum-pack them for customers to take away. It costs around 10,000 won and preparations usually take about three hours to prepare.