The Songbook Market is a typical quiet Korean market on most days. However on days that end in a 4 or 9 (4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29), the market bursts at its seams with shoppers and vendors. The “4 and 9 Market” is where the locals generally shop for things. I walked around the market for over an hour and didn’t see any other foreigners. Marketplaces like this really remind me that I am in a completely foreign country and yet at the same time, makes me realize how accustomed I’ve become to it.
The vendors in this market sell a wide variety of things such as fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared food, grains, seafood, meat, eggs, clothing, lingerie, shoes, purses, bedding, toys, and jewelry. Some of the vendors had tables to display their items while others simply found an open spot on the ground. The produce sold here is usually incredibly fresh and reasonably priced. Bargaining is acceptable in the market and you will hear people everywhere haggling over the prices. Walking through a market like this is a great way to observe the “real” Korea.
