Dongdaemun Toy Street Weekend Guide | Prices, Tips & Mistakes

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram Reels or TikTok lately, you’ve probably come across Dongdaemun Toy Street at least once.

The saying “shopping for clothes in Dongdaemun is old news” really felt true. These days, the area has turned into a toy-lover’s paradise packed with people in their 20s and 30s hunting for malrangi and slangi squishies.

I live in Dongmyo, so I was honestly a little proud to see my neighborhood become this popular. My boyfriend and I only planned to stop by briefly before watching Toy Story 5, but that quick visit ended up stretching much longer than expected. 😂

🌊 Stepping into the Crowded Alleys of Dongdaemun Toy Street

I visited on a Sunday afternoon, and there were so many people that I had to consciously slow down from the moment I reached the entrance. Families with kids, couples, and solo visitors were all mixed together. Seeing everyone from children to adults really showed just how popular this place had become.

See all those people covering their faces with their hands? It was the end of June, and the outdoor market was incredibly hot under the blazing sun. If you’re planning a summer visit, a parasol or portable fan is absolutely essential. Don’t forget to bring one!

🍞 Diving into Malrangi, Slangi, Squishies & More

The biggest reason this place recently became such a trendy hotspot was definitely the huge selection of malrangi and slangi products. From street vendors to indoor stores, the variety was enormous, and cute food-shaped designs seemed especially popular.

Donuts, croissants, dumplings, corn, peaches, cheese, melon bread, steamed buns, potatoes… honestly, looking at everything almost made me hungry. 😂

Prices started at 2,000 KRW for smaller items. Standard malrangi products were usually around 3,000 KRW, while oversized versions went up to 7,000 KRW. Some boxed sets were priced at 10,000 KRW.

There were also plenty of wax balls on display. I’d seen them constantly in YouTube Shorts, so it was fun finally seeing them in person.

🫙 Comparing Crunchy Malrangi With Regular Ones

Many stores had sample products displayed, so visitors could freely touch and test them. There wasn’t a formal line or anything—it was very much a traditional market vibe. You just found a spot and tried out whatever caught your eye.

These days you can easily buy them online, but I’d still recommend trying them in person before purchasing because everyone’s preferences are completely different.

I ended up liking the crunchy malrangi more. The crackling texture inside when I squeezed it was surprisingly addictive. Unlike wax balls, which are basically done once you break them, crunchy ones could be played with repeatedly.

My boyfriend felt the opposite. He said, “This feels kind of weird. The texture is too strange,” and preferred the regular version instead. 😂

The slangi he liked was called Wanggamja Malrangbangssuk-i (a giant potato-themed slangi). The name itself was hilarious, and it had an oddly chestnut-like appearance that made it cute. With a hat on, it almost reminded me of Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story.

There were both intact giant potatoes and mashed-potato versions.

I think the mashed-potato slangi belonged to a category called sherbet slangi. Am I right? 😆

😭 Missing Out on Bbangpare & Odette

The most famous slangi destination in the area is Bbangpare & Odette. It’s a well-known store that’s been operating since 1996 and is famous for carrying one of the largest selections of crunchy malrangi products. I went there with high expectations, but to my surprise, it was closed.

It felt like arriving at an open church only to find the doors shut. 😭

Later I found out that many stores in Dongdaemun Toy Street close on Sundays and public holidays. Fortunately, plenty of other shops were still open, so the trip wasn’t a total loss. Still, if you’re visiting specifically for a certain store like Bbangpare, make sure to go on a weekday or Saturday. It would’ve been disappointing to travel there just to turn around empty-handed.

One of the hottest products lately has been the Rilakkuma malrangi. I searched all over Dongmyo hoping to find one, but I never managed to track it down.

I don’t know whether that was because Bbangpare was closed on Sunday or simply bad timing, but it was definitely disappointing. If a Rilakkuma malrangi is your main target, it might be worth checking stock with stores beforehand.

[Bbangpare & Odette]

19 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

🧶 Exploring More Than Just Squishies

Inside Dong-A Toys

Originally, this toy market was known for serious toy stores selling everything from Gundam models, LEGO sets, Pokémon plushies, and Yu-Gi-Oh cards to board games and nostalgic toys. There was a huge variety to browse.

The largest store in the area is Dong-A Toys. Its shelves were packed across two floors, creating a toy paradise that had already been popular long before the squishy craze arrived.

[Dong-A Toys]

5 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

There were also trendy items hanging everywhere, including keycap keyrings and scented bread-shaped accessories. Even if you weren’t interested in squishies, plenty of things could easily make you stop and look. Some keycaps featured beautiful character designs that I hadn’t seen elsewhere, and a few even played melodies.

While walking around, my boyfriend and I suddenly spotted an old-fashioned fishing game toy and decided to give it a try.

Was catching even one fish always this difficult? I could’ve sworn it was easier when I was younger. Maybe today’s toys are harder. 😂

🚀 For Toy Story Fans Looking for Collectibles

Entrance to Toy Market

From the outside, this shop mainly looked like a Gundam store. Once I stepped inside, though, I found Toy Story merchandise as well.

Toy Story merchandise

At home, I already have Buzz and Woody dolls brought back from a Disney park overseas. This time I spotted a Jessie doll and seriously considered buying it, but I resisted. Looking back at the photos, I really think I should’ve bought it. There were only two left, so I might go back next week.

The reason I originally entered the Gundam shop was because Kitty Gundam has been trending lately. I searched through shelf after shelf but unfortunately never found one before finishing my toy market tour.

[Toy Market]

18-1 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

💡 Who Should Come Here?

1. Anyone who collects malrangi or slangi products — it’s hard to find a place in Seoul with this much variety and these kinds of prices.

2. Anyone whose desire for Toy Story merchandise kicked in after watching Toy Story 5 — it makes a great before-or-after movie date course.

3. Anyone looking for a family outing spot — both kids and adults can find something they enjoy.

💬 Wrapping Up With a Local Resident’s Review

Personally, I was disappointed because the store I most wanted to visit was closed on Sunday. However, if you come with a specific shop or item in mind and visit on the right day, this can be a real treasure-hunting destination where you pick up your dream item at a reasonable price.

Even just browsing was entertaining. You could head over to squeeze a few malrangi toys, then end up checking out Gundam kits, puzzles, and nano blocks before leaving. It was definitely worth visiting at least once.

📍 With Essential Visitor Information

Dongmyoap Station Exit 6: 2-minute walk / Dongdaemun Station Exit 4: 5-minute walk (Lines 1, 4, and 6 all available)

08:00–19:00

Some stores close on Sundays and public holidays, though most of the vendors still operate on weekends.

Parking is practically unavailable, so public transportation is strongly recommended.

🚇 Getting There With Easy Transit Options

This area is served by three subway connections. Dongdaemun Station on Lines 1 and 4 and Dongmyoap Station on Lines 1 and 6 are all within about 5–10 minutes on foot, so you can simply take whichever line is most convenient.

Public transportation worked very well, but if you’re driving, you’ll need to use a nearby paid parking lot. On weekends, Dongshin Church Parking Lot is known as one of the largest and most affordable options nearby.

[Changsin Stationery & Toy Market]

21-1 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

[Dongshin Church Parking Lot]

Dongshin Church, Dongshin Church Education Center, 43 Jong-ro 44-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul