Gwangjang Market vendors don't adjust spice for foreigners like Itaewon tourist restaurants do honestly. Their mild tteokbokki uses same gochugaru concentration as local customers - this will absolutely destroy most western palates trust me.

Asked for medium at the famous bindaetteok stall thinking convenience store training prepared me. Wrong choice completely - spent 20 minutes gulping makgeolli trying to survive. Korean restaurant spice builds differently than packaged ramyeon heat.

Start with tourist-friendly Myeongdong night market versions first, then work up to real market vendors. Or ask specifically for foreigner portion with less gochugaru - they understand but you have to request it directly. The ajummas think were all babies anyway so no shame in admitting defeat.