Purchasing in Seoul might be enjoyable, frenzied, and within the hustling bustling buying neighborhoods, Seoul appears something however calm. For those who’re out there for Okay-beauty merchandise, Korean trend, or simply some enjoyable Korean souvenirs, there are many areas you possibly can go. Purchasing is a pastime for a lot of an area and a few vacationers come to Seoul with the only real goal of filling up their baggage with Korean items.
From the perfect buying malls in Seoul to the preferred locations to purchase Korean trend, there’s lots to know and extra locations to go than you may notice. Listed here are the perfect areas to buy groceries in Seoul and what you’ll find there. Good luck!
Get able to buy groceries in Korea by understanding the districts in Seoul:
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What to know earlier than you buy groceries in Korea
Earlier than you hit the Seoul buying streets, begin filling your baggage, and so on, be sure to know what it’s good to know to buy groceries in Korea. Listed here are some suggestions and tips to know earlier than you go.
- Concentrate on the clothes sizes… or lack thereof. Sizes will run smaller than in western nations. Locations like H&M, for instance, have tags which say “Asian Measurement” on them so you recognize your measurement right here might be totally different from the H&M you could be acquainted with again dwelling. Moreover, clothes on buying streets are sometimes simply labeled “Free Measurement”. Free Measurement can cowl the whole lot from a kids’s measurement shirt to an outsized sweatshirt that two individuals might match inside.
- A number of retailers gained’t allow you to strive on the garments. For those who’re going into flagship shops and large shops, sure you possibly can positively get a dressing room and take a look at the whole lot on. Nonetheless, whenever you’re buying from road distributors, or small retailers on busy buying streets like in Hongdae, you gained’t be capable of strive something on.
- For those who’re carrying make-up, be sure to look out for the clothes protectors which it’s best to put in your head first earlier than attempting something on so that you don’t go away any make-up stains. They’re often accessible within the dressing rooms or close by.
- You won’t be capable of put on your sneakers within the dressing room. Very similar to Korean houses the place you shouldn’t put on sneakers, many dressing room attendants will ask you to take off sneakers earlier than you go into the dressing room. Often there’s a line on the ground simply inside or exterior of your dressing room door so you possibly can simply see the place to go away your sneakers.
- Paying with money or a bank card? Don’t be shocked if a buying attendant in a small boutique store tells you that the worth is 10% extra when you choose to make use of a card. Whereas Korea may be very a lot going cashless, small retailers nonetheless desire money and you’ll too whenever you notice you’ll pay much less.
The place to buy groceries in Seoul
Hongdae
Hongdae was extensively recognized for simply going out, seeing stay music, and having enjoyable however over the previous decade has seen a serious onslaught of trend flagship shops and extra transfer into the favored district of Seoul.
Standard Korean manufacturers with flagship shops within the space to take a look at in Hongdae embrace:
- Covernat Flagship Retailer (커버낫 플래그쉽 홍대점)
- LEE Flagship Retailer (Lee 홍대플래그쉽스토어)
- What it isn’t Flagship Retailer (와릿이즌 홍대 플래그십)
- Fallet Flagship Retailer (팔렛 홍대플래그십스토어)
- Mild Monster Flagship Retailer (젠틀몬스터 홍대 플래그십스토어)
- Kakao Mates Flagship Retailer (카카오프렌즈 홍대플래그십 스토어)
- AderError (아더 홍대 스페이스)
Western manufacturers like H&M, Forever21 and Zara have opened up previously couple of years to however they haven’t pushed out the various boutique retailers alongside Hongdae Purchasing Avenue and classic clothes stalls that abound. Clothes within the space is bought at cheap costs and interspersed between the attire retailers are the favored Korean make-up and skincare model retailers as effectively.
This district is a superb cease for somebody trying to spend the day buying after which keep for the evening out too as a result of there are many issues to do in Hongdae from solar as much as solar down.
Additionally to notice, from March to November there are particular flea markets held in Hongdae Park on Saturdays and Sundays. Saturdays, the Hongdae Free Market is held from 2:00pm to six:00pm and on Sundays, the Hongdae Hope Market is held from 2:00pm to six:00pm. Each markets are recognized for the distinctive gadgets which might be bought. Younger artists promote handmade gadgets from t-shirts and hats to ceramics, dolls and jewellery.
You can simply spend your complete day… or weekend within the space. Begin with brunch at one of many nice eating places, get in some buying, go to a cool café that’s aesthetically pleasing, after which do some extra buying earlier than grabbing a chunk to eat Korean type and going all evening lengthy.
Myeongdong
For those who ask most individuals the place to go for a cathartic buying journey in Seoul, they’d in all probability direct you to Myeondong. This neighborhood is centered round huge identify manufacturers like Zara, H&M, UNIQLO, Without end 21, American Attire and naturally Lotte Younger Plaza after which Lotte Division Retailer the place all your arms free responsibility free buying can happen (purchase it now, choose it up on the airport in your approach out).
Not solely are the large western manufacturers there, however the alleyways are door after door of small Korean boutiques with the whole lot from Okay-pop icon look alike clothes and classy apparel to make-up and skincare product touting retailers too.
Beauty retailers like Tony Moly, Missha, The Face Store, Nature Republic, The Saem, Etude Home, Too Cool For Faculty and extra line the street. They typically have salespeople standing out entrance beckoning you in with a free product… which you’ll be able to preserve even when you don’t purchase one thing.
I’ve spent a stroll by way of in Myeong-dong simply seeing what number of freebies I might stroll away with WITHOUT buy. It’s a enjoyable little recreation. If you’d like one thing extra distinctive to your journey to Korea, cease in Codes Mix, A-Land or Fundamental Home when you’re within the space. Additionally don’t miss the quirky Model Nanda Pink Pool Cafe and positively eat it up within the scrumptious Hadongkwan, amongst another incredible spots.
The Hyundai Seoul
The Hyundai Seoul is the biggest shopping center in Korea and all your favourite luxurious manufacturers might be discovered right here. Even when you’re not a luxurious model shopper, there are over 170 manufacturers which have opened pop-up shops at The Hyundai Seoul since its grand opening together with pop-ups for Okay-pop artists like aespa, NewJeans, and BTS. Go to the pop-ups and store store store after which head to Tasty Seoul, the nation’s largest meals corridor, with all of Seoul’s trendiest eating places and cafés. It’s large, lovely, and enjoyable.
- Deal with: 108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의대로 108)
- Hours: Day-after-day: 10:30am ~ 8:00pm
Gwangjang Market
Classic and conventional is what this market is all about. Opened in 1905, this market has historical past too. Whereas many individuals at the moment are heading to Gwangjang Marketplace for the foodie delights on the bottom ground, upstairs are stalls and stalls of beautiful items. That is THE place to go to get a fantastic deal on a customized Hanbok that may be bought for wherever from W150,000 to W500,000 and past relying on the fabric and embroidery work chosen. A bit harder to seek out, however well worth the hunt can be a really substantial classic market on the second ground.
Items from throughout make their approach right here BEFORE they head out to the smaller boutique classic retailers and as you possibly can think about, meaning that is the place to go for the most cost effective classic apparel in Seoul. It takes just a little digging, however the distributors are younger, trendy and pleasant and can assist anybody that makes their approach upstairs to the stall after stall of retro apparel. Clothes right here is bought from W10,000 to W100,000 for classic identify model items.
Dongmyo Weekend Flea Market
If second-hand is your ardour, then positively don’t miss the huge flea market that takes place within the Dongmyo space on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm to six:00pm. Discovered exterior of Sadang Subway Station, exit 14. The Seoul People Flea Market exterior of Sinseoldong Subway Station, exit 9 is nice for souvenirs and knick-knacks.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is usually a very overwhelming place the primary time you go to. There may be the whole lot from stationary merchandise to kids’s clothes, sneakers, equipment, life-style items and extra and it’s all overflowing from the stalls. You will get Okay-pop items cheaper right here than different locations, however you’ll should hunt to seek out them. For those who like a great hunt, then don’t miss Namdaemun Market.
- Deal with: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 남대문시장4길 21)
Apgujeong Rodeo
The place the Korean socialites store, Apgujeong Rodeo is the place you’ll discover luxurious manufacturers like Louis Vuitton and different main luxurious designers. Close by one other standard buying road (listed beneath), even when you can’t afford the key manufacturers on this road, you possibly can strut your stuff and have some enjoyable eye buying.
- Deal with: Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 신사동)
- Instructions: Apgujeong Station, exit 2
Garosugil
One of many chicest locations to walk, Garosugil can be a fantastic place to go to boutique retailers and get the whole lot from modern finds to distinctive and will need to have items too. The favored avenue is lower than a kilometer lengthy however is full of will need to have gadgets. Whereas identify model retailers abound, the boutique retailers like Spicy Coloration, 9 Owls and different aesthetically pleasing retailers within the neighborhood are what individuals actually head right here for.
This space can be extensively recognized for having a number of the hippest cafes and eateries too. A morning spent right here is certain to be fabulous, that’s for positive. That is NOT the road to go to when you’re on the lookout for price range buying which is to be remembered however when you’re on the lookout for the most well liked up and coming native Korean designers, then that is the right boulevard to hunt out within the metropolis.
- Scorching Lodge In The Space: La Casa Lodge
- Should Strive Actions: Whoo Spa
- Instructions: Sinsa Subway Station, exit 8. Stroll straight and switch left on the third road.
Starfield COEX Mall
Asia’s LARGEST underground shopping center mustn’t want an introduction, however right here’s the information simply so you recognize. 200 and sixty retailers sit beneath the bottom stretching from Samseong subway station to Bongeunsa station. Magnificence, digital, leisure and trend attire and merchandise together with a cinema, a meals court docket, an occasion corridor for concert events and exhibits and an aquarium line the halls that go this manner and that.
COEX Mall is the right place to spend the day inside when the climate is just too frigid or moist to trek by way of the buying districts above. From buying to enjoyable and meals, too, there’s one thing for everybody within COEX.
Occasions Sq. Mall
One other extra regionally standard mall is the Occasions Sq. Mall. Positioned in Yeongdeungpo-gu, you’ll find all your favourite worldwide chain shops, a movie show, and loads of eating places to replenish between buying spots. That is additionally the most effective malls to go to within the winter vacation interval as a result of they’ve a incredible Christmas set up every year.
- Deal with: 15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 영중로 15)
- Hours: Day-after-day: 10:30am ~ 10:00pm
Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun is the place the thrifty or frugal buyers go relatively than going to Myeondong for identify manufacturers. Whereas the gadgets could look just like what you’ll discover in Myeondong, they’re much cheaper however beware, the worth ought to let you know one thing. Objects purchased in Dongdaemun will doubtless not make it previous the third washing. The favored malls right here embrace HELLO APM, Migliore, Doota Tower, and Good Morning Metropolis.
Objects that you simply see distributors promoting from road carts and in subways are bought in bulk from Dongdaemun so when you really need that merchandise from the subway salesmen for W20,000, head to Dongdaemun to get it for W10,000. For those who simply wish to store til you drop and actually drop at dawn, then head to Dongdaemun as a result of the evening market, which opens at 9PM is tremendous enjoyable and you’ll keep up effectively previous most peoples’ bedtimes for some enjoyable buying motion.
Insadong
Insadong is a road that hardly ever wants introduction as a result of each vacationer, native, and foreigner in Korea will doubtless stroll up this thoroughfare in some unspecified time in the future. This neighborhood is the perfect place to get the Korean memento you’re trying to take dwelling.
Locations to search for in Insadong:
- Ssamziegil: This buying and tradition advanced has quite a lot of regionally owned retailers and workshops with lovely handmade merchandise. You’ll be able to stroll from the bottom ground to the highest, the place the well-known Poop Cafe is, and by no means go on a step as a result of the constructing is designed with a cool ascending path.
- Anyoung Insa: A more moderen cultural advanced within the space, this 7-story constructing has retailers, eating places, and two museums. There are a number of nice retailers right here.
From every day Hanboks to probably the most beautiful ceremonial ones, it’s right here. There are additionally lovely chopstick units, Hanji paper crafts, lovely najeonchilgi bins, classic and vintage items as effectively. You positively can’t buy groceries in Seoul and NOT go to Insadong in some unspecified time in the future.
If you wish to partake in some subway buying. The most effective subway underground malls might be present in Bupyeong Subway Station & Specific Bus Terminal Station
Itaewon
Itaewon in all probability isn’t the place most vacationers trying to store will head until they need a customized tailor-made go well with however when you’re taller, hippier or bustier than the typical Korean and have an issue buying in most Korean clothes retailers, then Itaewon is the place it’s best to head. The retailers market to the individuals on the lookout for garments at bigger sizes and sneakers with a bit extra size or width.
The world can be standard for anybody on the lookout for a overseas chunk. There’s the whole lot from Indian and Thai to Italian and Japanese bistros too. And if that’s not sufficient, there are additionally some nice artwork museums within the space as effectively. Don’t miss out on all the enjoyable on this overseas district in central Seoul.
Dapsimni Vintage Market
For those who’re on the lookout for one thing a bit extra vintage, you gained’t discover that all over the place, however you’ll find some actually distinctive gadgets on the Dapsimni Vintage Market (답십리 고미술상가)). There are greater than 150 shops together with scroll work, najeonchilgi lacquerware, and even large totem poles. There’s A LOT to see right here and you might want some Korean abilities to know what you’re taking a look at, however it’s a fantastic place to discover.
- Deal with: 99 Gomiseul-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 동대문구 고미술로 99)
Ewha Ladies’s College Purchasing Stree
For those who’re on the lookout for the younger fashionable vibes, that is the spot so that you can try. Being so near quite a few universities and naturally the ladies’s college it’s named after implies that the clothes, sneakers, and equipment are at all times on pattern and have a tendency to cater to the females in abundance right here.
Items on supply are comparatively cheap for the reason that retailers cater to the scholar price range however you’ll additionally discover apparel that’s Korean student-ish, aka quick skirts, cute clothes and much and plenty of equipment. Cosmetics are discounted and you’ll count on to see all your favourite Korean manufacturers in a simple criss-crossing neighborhood of streets.
Specific Bus Terminal Underground Purchasing Mall
Among the best locations to go purchasing for price range pleasant items. The Specific Bus Terminal underground buying is immense and you probably have any plans to journey round Korea and might be commuting by way of bus, cease in and get one thing on the way in which. There are greater than 600 shops providing budget-friendly trend gadgets. Discover the most recent clothes developments worn by your favourite Korean idols right here.
- Deal with: 200 Shinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서초구 신반포로 200)
Gangnam Terminal Underground Purchasing Heart
A few of the finest buying areas within the metropolis are literally beneath your toes and if you wish to go to simply ONE, do NOT miss out on the 800 meter lengthy tunnels that department out from Gangnam Terminal. Whereas quite a few stations throughout the town have underground stretches of buying, that is the largest in Seoul and the preferred.
Different underground buying spots in Seoul:
- Myeongdong Underground Purchasing: Connects Myeongdong, line 4, Euljiro 1-ga on line 1 and a pair of and Metropolis Corridor Station on line 1 and a pair of.
- Yeongdeungpo Station Underground Purchasing
- Jamsil Station Underground Purchasing
Anticipate finding all of these gadgets you noticed above floor however at discounted charges. I’ve had pals that advocate strolling the streets of Hongdae or Ewha to see what you wish to purchase after which head right here to get it at the perfect fee. One final tip, when you head right here, don’t miss out on visiting the highest ground of the Specific Bus Terminal for a tremendous view of Seoul. Most individuals don’t even know you may get a fantastic view right here, so make the most of this one quiet spot within the space.
Widespread Floor
For those who’re on the lookout for one thing a bit extra native, positively head to Widespread Floor the place small native designers showcase the whole lot from the quirky to the cool. The most recent native designs and distinctive gadgets are on show and that is positively the spot to get one thing particular which you can actually solely get in Seoul and even options the “Made in Korea” tag inside too. Anticipate clothes that is a little more costly however you’ll additionally get larger high quality. Try this information to Seongsu-dong to study extra in regards to the up and coming space.
Incheon Airport: Responsibility Free Retailers
You’re in your approach out and also you suppose the buying is completed? Suppose once more! Ensure you go to the attractive Incheon Worldwide Airport early so you possibly can make the most of all the nice duty-free retailers. Nice for last-minute memento buying, however there are additionally cosmetics out of your favourite Korean manufacturers, perfumes, equipment, snacks, and electronics.
For those who plan to go duty-free buying in Seoul or on the airport, be sure to make the most of all the perks. There are vouchers you possibly can choose as much as get additional 10% off and different rewards relying on how a lot you store. The vouchers are free so no cause to not.
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