Why Majang-dong Became the Mecca of Korean Beef (Hanwoo)
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Majang-dong in Seoul was once the royal and military horse farm (yangmajang) during the Joseon era, chosen for its flat land and water—ideal for raising horses. As the city changed, the area shifted from horse breeding to livestock trade: by the mid-20th century it became a major meat market with a municipal slaughterhouse and the large Majang livestock market, which remains the country’s largest single-item market for meat. Today Majang-dong is not a pretty tourist neighborhood, but it vividly shows Seoul’s growth and living history. Visitors can watch merchants trade specialty meat cuts and enjoy numerous restaurants serving high-quality hanwoo (Korean beef) and offal dishes. Nearby, the Cheonggyecheon Museum traces the urban and cultural history of the Cheonggyecheon stream from Joseon to modern restoration, displaying artifacts (including Joseon white porcelain) and hosting a special exhibition “People of Cheonggyecheon: Lives and Memories” through March 29.
