Trends

Jungbu Market's Oil Mill Alley in Seoul: Why Japanese Visitors Buy Sesame and Perilla Oil

AI-generated image of golden oil bottles lined up on a wooden market shelf next to jars of roasted sesame seeds. A white line traces one bottle next to a handwritten note reading 'Freshly pressed'.

AT A GLANCE

Place
Oil mill alley inside Jungbu Market, Eulji-ro 4-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Buy
Sesame oil, perilla oil, whole perilla seeds
Hours
Reported to open at 8 a.m.
Note
Six shops handle sesame oil, mostly wholesalers supplying restaurants (per the report)

The oil mill alley inside Jungbu Market in Seoul has become a shopping stop for Japanese visitors buying sesame oil and perilla oil. According to an Edaily report on October 12, foreign visitors’ average daily card spending in the alley rose sharply in a year. Here’s why it’s popular and what to check before you go. Checked on: 2026-10-16

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of the real market.

What happened?

The report says:

  • The spark: a shop became known after a Japanese TV personality posted a YouTube video sprinkling sesame oil on ramen.
  • On the ground: Japanese-speaking staff, Japanese signs and product descriptions, and packaging with international shipping in mind appeared.
  • Products: sesame oil, perilla oil and whole perilla seeds in various sizes for gifts, with tasting offered.
  • Numbers (Seoul Big Data Campus): foreign visitors’ average daily spending in the mill area’s general retail category is about 2.5 million won, roughly 12 times last year’s 209,000 won.
  • Search interest: Google Japan search interest this year (Jan–Sept) was about 42% above last year’s weekly average, and August was the highest in five years.

Shops differ. The six shops handling sesame oil are mostly wholesalers supplying Seoul restaurants. Ask each shop whether you can buy small amounts.

Shops named in the report

  • Chungbuk Jeyusoh: became known after a Japanese TV personality posted a video of sprinkling sesame oil on ramen.
  • Samdu Nongsan: has a part-time staffer who serves customers in Japanese.
  • Seoyoung Nongsan: run by a merchant who hopes the alley becomes a tourist spot.

Some merchants want to ask Seoul to designate a “Jungbu Market oil alley,” and at least one shop says sales are up more than 50%. Shops selling dried seafood and seaweed also say visitors have increased. Each shop may work differently.

Who it suits

  • People who want to see and pick sesame and perilla oil at a market
  • People who want to bring Korean ingredients as gifts for friends abroad
  • People who prefer a neighborhood market alley to a standard tourist stop

If you need fixed price lists and clear opening hours, note that many shops here are wholesalers, so ask the shop first.

Getting there

The alley is deep inside Jungbu Market in Eulji-ro 4-ga, Jung-gu. The nearest subway station is Euljiro 4-ga. Check your map app for the exact exit and route.

Before you buy

  • Hours: one report says it opens at 8 a.m.
  • Sesame vs. perilla oil: sesame oil tends to be rich and nutty, while perilla oil is milder in aroma. Perilla oil spoils faster, so refrigerate it and use it soon.
  • Flying: airlines have liquid rules. Check your carrier’s baggage rules and how the shop packs.

For more market food ideas, see the Namdaemun Market food route.

Sources (checked on 2026-10-16)