Get everything you need and more when shopping in Seoul
Photo Credit: @view.korea (instagram)
Visiting South Korea? If you can’t wait to set your eyes on well-known K-fashion brands, skincare, cosmetic products, and beloved Korean food, don’t forget to add shopping in Seoul to your itinerary!
Each shopping district in Seoul has its own personality. The popular Myeong-dong is known for its strip of cosmetic stores and beauty treatments. When it comes to clothing, head to Garosu-gil for luxury brands, Dongdaemun for fabrics, and Hongdae for cheap steals! Of course, for the mouthwatering Korean street food,Gwangjang market offers some of the best knick-knacks to snack on while you tour around.
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South Korean Shopping FAQs
Here are a few tips to help avoid any faux pas as you embark on your Seoul-full shopping journey!
- Clothing sizes in South Korea run much smaller than Western sizes.
- Most shops won’t let you fit the clothes from the rack. Try to learn your size just by looking closely at the clothes as much as possible.
- Wear minimal make-up (or none at all, if possible) because some stores might not let you try things on when they see you with make-up.
- Shoes can also come in a one-size-fits-all scheme. Check if what you’re buying fits you comfortably.
- Most places accept credit cards, but make sure you have the cash to quickly pay for small-ticket items!
1. Duty-free shops in Incheon Airport
Photo Credit: lazy fri13th on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
Your shopping spree starts (also perfect last-minute souvenir shopping) at the duty-free shops as soon as you land at Incheon Airport! If you can't decide on what to buy in Seoul, there are various items you can shop for: cosmetics, perfumes, liquor, tobacco, fashion, accessories, snacks, and even electronics! Some shops hold up to 200 famous brands, so you have tons of options to choose from!
Not sure where to start? Try the Hyundai Duty Free Store or the Shinsegae Duty-Free Airport Store, where you can quickly find items on your wishlist. Plus, you can get their store voucher on Klook for FREE! Yep, you get a silver membership, making you eligible for different discount coupons and tons of other perks.
2. Garosu-gil
If you're into the boho-chic vibe, Garosu-gil might be the best place for you to go shopping in Seoul! This neighbourhood is famous for its ginkgo tree-lined street which gives off that nostalgic K-drama vibe!
#KlookTip: Visit in autumn when the trees are in their warmest and most vibrant colours.
Photo Credit: Alejandro on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
As for shopping, Garosu-gil is the place to splurge as it features an array of beauty and fashion products, most of which are from luxury brands. After spending the whole day being engrossed in your shopping spree, you'll be glad to know that Garosu-gil also features a wide variety of great restaurants and cosy cafes for you to chill at and grab a quick bite!
3. Hongdae
Photo Credit: @tomm2kim (Instagram)
Shopping on a budget? Then Hongdae is the place to be! A district near Hongik University buzzing with a youthful and trendy ambience that's flocked by both students and young people. Here, you can find indie K-fashion trends comparable to those from Harajuku!
Photo Credits: @heartburn.and.oatmeal (Instagram)
You definitely have to visit the Hongdae Free Market for your fix of local artisan crafts, paintings, accessories, and secondhand goods; you will even get to meet the artists and craftsmen themselves. Hongdae also holds live cultural events, street performances, and lively festivals as a university district.
Hongdae Free Market location: 19-3, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 와우산로21길 19-3)
Opening Hours: 1pm-6pm
4. Insadong
Step back in time when you visit Insadong as you stroll along the cobblestone streets lined with ancient Hanok houses which were once home to Korean nobles. During the weekend, the main road is closed off to cars as It transforms into a cultural space, thanks to the classical concerts, art exhibits, and Korean street food stalls that line up the area.
Notable places to visit while you’re here are the Ssamziegil, a multi-level shopping mall where you can buy traditional souvenirs and handicraft products, and Hakgojae Gallery, where you can marvel at folk art.
5. Gwangjang market
If you've watched Netflix’s Street Food Asia? You might be familiar with Gwangjang Market, where mouthwatering dishes await you! Experience a different shopping experience as you roam around food stalls in one of South Korea’s oldest and most traditional markets.
Photo Credit: @bengineertravel (Instagram)
While you’re here, make sure to order a bowl of Kalguksu (Korean noodles), munch on Gejang (marinated crab), and have a Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake). Aside from food and snacks, Gwangjang market is also the perfect place to go shopping in Seoul for bargains and vintage apparel.
6. Dongdaemun
Another place to go on a food trip while shopping in Seoul is Dongdaemun, one of South Korea’s largest retail shopping districts. Did you know that it’s home to around 26 shopping malls? Yes, that includes 30,000 speciality stores, 50,000 brands, and a wide array of items ranging from textiles to electronics! Head over to Mukja Gulmok for the munchies, a K-food alley with festivities and music performances in the evening.
7. Starfield COEX Mall
besLocated in Gangnam, Starfield COEX Mall is the largest underground shopping mall in all of Asia featuring over 300 brands from fashion to entertainment and tech. But, Starfield COEX Mall is more than just a shopping hub, it has other attractions for visitors, such as the Starfield Library, which has 13-meter bookshelves and over 50,000 books.
If you’re coming with kids, you can enjoy a family day at Bricklive and play with colorful LEGO bricks, or visit the COEX Aquarium to see over 650 species of marine wildlife like sharks and sea turtles.
8. Lotte Mart
Photo Credit: HS You on Flickr (Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0))
One of South Korea's leading discount stores where you can purchase high-quality products from groceries to household goods, Lotte Mart is THE PLACE to get all your Korean food and snacks to bring home! If you need help on what to buy in this Seoul store, we recommend you get the famous Honey Butter chips, Pepero Sticks, and the delectable Binggrae Banana-Flavored Milk!
#KlookTip: Get more discounts when you buy wholesale!
9. Apgujeong
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Apgujeong is where you can find the hottest designer brands and fine-dining restaurants. After all, this shopping district is the playground for Seoul’s chaebols and socialites. The upmarket district is lined with luxe boutiques and high-class department stores. It’s also famous for its beauty clinics if you want to get a beauty treatment or cosmetic surgery. Apgujeong also has fancy cafes with picture-perfect interiors — great for Insta-worthy shots. Have a sweet tooth? Head to Dessertree for decadent desserts!
10. Itaewon
Don't be surprised if you find more non-Koreans than locals when you visit Itaewon. In this well-known foreigner district, you can meet fellow tourists like yourself, and If you’ve watched Itaewon Class (if not, then you should!), you might be familiar with Itaewon being a famous food district. As Seoul’s Special Tourism District, it offers different kinds of cuisine, thanks to international restaurants and clubs occupying the streets.
11. Samcheong-dong
On the hunt for cute home accessories? Samcheong-dong will take care of that for you. This neighbourhood of a sprawling maze of traditional houses features a variety of small shops that sell unique interior goods and adorable accessories. If you want to bring home a little bit of Seoul, we recommend buying a cute frame or mirror in Samcheong-dong.
12. Gangnam Shopping Street
Photo Credit: fdecomite on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
Go shopping in Seoul to the tune of PSY’s Gangnam Style when you stroll along Gangnam Shopping Street. As part of South Korea’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, this shopping street has piqued the interests of many tourists. Here, you can find stores of iconic designers, like Kimmy J, the creme de la creme of Korean fashion. You can also find different flagship stores lining up the street, such as SPAO, Muji, KAKAO FRIENDS, and LINE FRIENDS.
13. Ewha Women’s University
Ever watched a K-drama and loved the female lead’s outfit? All you gals out there should spend an hour or two at Ewha Women’s University’s shopping street, where you can find cute apparel and cosmetics at discounted prices!
Photo Credit: Jordi Sanchez on Flickr (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0))
You can take your transformation to another level when you get a Korean hair treatment from one of the hair salons in the area. The shopping street is pedestrian-friendly and is a favourite hangout spot for college students, so don’t be surprised if you see some of them studying inside cafes.
14. Namdaemun
Try not to lose your way along Seoul’s oldest and biggest market, Namdaemun Market. The market is a maze-like network of narrow alleyways filled with second-hand thrift shops and medicinal stores.
It’s got everything you’re looking for: kids’ & adult clothes, household items, accessories, and electronics. When you get tired from exploring, take a break at one of the food stalls and treat your taste buds to Sannakji (live octopus), Mandu (dumplings), and Eomuk (fish cakes)!
15. Common Ground Shopping Mall
best plaAnother go-to hangout spot for young Seoulites is the Common Ground Shopping Mall in Gwangjin. The mall has four zones: the Street Market, the Market Hall, the Terrace Market, and the Market Ground. Find yourself amidst boutique stores, hip apparel shops, and various food and beverage stalls when you’re here.
#KlookFact: Did you know it’s the largest container mall in the world?
16. SookMyung Women’s University
Photo Credit: technicolours on Flickr (Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0))
Another university shopping district in Seoul is located near SookMyung Women’s University. What makes this different from Ewha is that SookMyung is less busy and is more catered to foodies who are on the hunt for their next big feast. You can also join Korean food tours from here and learn more about traditional food such as kimchi!
17. Myeongdong
Photo Credit: @zhangkai1122 (Instagram)
One of Seoul's most Instagrammed shopping districts thanks to its popularity with big skincare and cosmetic brands, Myeongdong is a household name for most of us! You can find over 1,000 Korean brands here, such as Etude House, The Face Shop, Nature Republic, and Missha.
Aside from skincare, Myeongdong is also bustling with flea markets and fashion boutiques — perfect if you’re looking for places to enjoy cheap shopping in Seoul. Head over to CHUU Physical Store if you want to update your wardrobe with trendy clothes.
#KlookTip: Be on alert for freebies as you stroll along as some stores have staff handing out testers on the streets!
18. Goto Mall
Photo Credit: Vicky Yu (@vicky_yu) on Unsplash
Wanna know Gangnam’s best-kept secret? Head to Goto Mall or the Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Center when you take the Seoul Subway. Goto Mall is a haven for fashionistas on a budget, thanks to the inexpensive choices for Korean clothing and shoes on the west end. When you get hungry, just walk over to the basement of the nearby Shinsegae department store to try out food from gourmet food stalls.
So What are you waiting for? Start preparing your list so you’re double prepared when you go shopping in Seoul!
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