There's been a market here since the 18th century. Although parts of it are being upgraded, it remains mostly a gritty and chaotic Dostoevsky-style warren of stalls offering mainly cheap clothes, shoes and leather goods, as well as food and snacks beloved by the multiethnic traders who work here.
If you're hungry look for Chufalnya, a Chinese grocery and cafe on the upper floor of the Korpus 27 block.