Filipino Market

If you happen to be in the theater district of Hyehwa on a Sunday afternoon, be sure to stop by Hyehwa Rotary for a taste of the Philippines. This is where many Filipino expats gather, usually after mass at Hyehwa Catholic Church, to chit-chat, load up on rare snacks and homemade goodies from the motherland, and chow down on regional specialties such as pork adobo, lumpia (egg rolls) and pancit (Filipino noodles). One of the best things about the Filipino Market is its size; with limited seating, visitors are forced to share the cramped dining spaces with complete strangers, which usually results in some great conversation and cultural exchanges. The friendly vendors have also been known to hand-feed patrons with samples of fresh empanadas or fried bananas, proof that Filipinos are as warm and hospitable as they are reputed to be.