Exploring Gyeongdong Market: Red Rice and Dried Lizards

Tortoise Shell and Dried Lizard at Gyeongdong Market
Gyeongdong Market over by Jegi Station is one of my favorite markets to explore. It is one the last truly traditional markets and it is not overrun with tourists. Actually, I think if tourists came through there in big groups, the shopkeepers would run them out of there with pitchforks. 

I always manage to see things at this market that I haven't come across before. Last week in an oriental medicine market I saw a dried lizard on a stick and a tortoise shell. I asked what the lizard was for and the doctor said it was good for tonics for people with eyesight issues. The tortoise shell is good for the kidney and liver (though it might be a bit difficult to chew).
In the central market area, it is always fun to walk around to talk with the vendors. One thing I always stop to get are the peeled chestnuts. Chestnuts in Korea are sweet and fresh tasting and they pop when you bite into it. They are good roasted or boiled, but I like them fresh.

The last very interesting I saw was a bag of red barley rice. The rice was the color of the sunset in the dessert. The barley is marked as being native to Korea. The color is fascinating and I wonder how it tastes. I'll have to pick some up next time.

Dan
Anchovy and Clam Vendors at Gyeongdong Market
Red Rice
Rice at Gyeongdong Market

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