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| Go shopping in South Korea with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals. Map |
 | South Korea Shopping | Tips 1 - 10 of 42 |  |
Korean clothing sizes are a little different to what you may be used to. They have a different system from other places (from what I've seen). In Canada I'm a 16-16.5 neck (which is a large) but in Korea I need to get XXL, which shows as a 17-17.5 inch neck sometimes and the locals call it 110 (which is 42.9 centimeters, likely the chest size, not neck!). I go to a guy at Namdaemoon and clean out his 110/XXLs every once in a while.
Pants are also odd. I buy 38 inch waist ones in Seoul even though I fit a 35 here (yes, even inches are different in Korea).
Best bet, try things on (even on the street!) and make sure it fits before you walk away (some merchants may not be there the next day). Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: Shoe sizes here: http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html#adult But if your size converts to 280 (as mine does) I find that the narrower shoes in Korea mean you should get a 285. (Basically, have to try them on.)Website: http://www.manuelsweb.com/in_cm.htm
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When I first got to Korea I wanted to do some shopping, but how do you know if they're selling you angora or polyester? Read the label!
Angora = 앙고라 (ang-go-ra)
Polyester = 폴리에፶8;테르 (pol-li-ay-seu-tai-reu)
Cotton = 면 (myeon)
Wool = 울 (woo-l) or 양모 (yang-mo)
Acrylic = 아크릴 (a-keu-leel)
Rayon = 레이온 (ray-i-on)
Cashmere = 캐시미Ꮕ2; (kay-shi-mee-eo)
Silk = 명주 (myeong joo)
Nylon = 나일론 (na-il-lon)
Linen = 리넨 (li-nayn)
Acetate = 아세테Ᏺ0;트 (a-say-tay-ee-teu)
Ok, so many of them sound similar in both languages, but it's good to know how Korean listen for words (acrylic may sound very different from a-keu-leel for some salespeople) and this way you can check the labels too! Leave a Comment
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Maybe it's the incredibly intense competition that's just a part of Korea...but getting glasses (presecriptions, specifically) is cheaper than in the West (Canada, specifically). I broke a lens and got it replaced for about 30% of what I was charged in Canada--and mine is not a simple prescription. Also, you can play the shops off one another. One said I had to get both lenses done, then the next said that was not so: so the second one got my business.
There are chains as well as many, many independent lens shops. Can't wait to go back and get a new pair! Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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Insadong and the surrounding area were the residences of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) officials, extended royal families, and the yangban-aristocratic class.
The antique art shops that were established here during the Japanese Colonial Period carried everyday items of the privileged class as these items became antiques in the face of modernity.
Since then, Insadong has been home to dozens of art galleries and antique shops. Insadong's narrow alleys branch out into all directions from one main street.
To explore the interesting places on these side alleys, it would be helpful to get a map of Insadong at one of three Tourism Information Centers that are located at the center and the two ends of the main street.
Insadong houses an amazing 41% of Korea's antique shops. These shops display and sell quality antiques such as old paintings, ceramics, woodenware, metalware, old furniture and many other items. Among them, ceramics are found abundantly. Numerous antique shops are renowned for specific merchandise: Tongmungwan for old documents, Haedonggodoja Research Institute for ceramics, Godosa for daily utensils of the past, Dongmundang and Gonghwarang for calligraphy supplies, and Naraksil and Gayajae are famous for old furniture.
A little to LOTS. It depends what you shop for. Leave a Comment Theme: AntiquesDirections: Seoul Subway Line 1, Jonggak Station, 5 minute walk - Seoul Subway Line 1, Jongno 3-ga Station, 5 minute walk - Seoul Subway Line 3, Anguk Station, 5 minute walk
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If you are coming here to go shopping, why don't you decide first what you'd like to buy, and in doing so you'd be making your shopping task much easier. i have been here for 3 years, and I am just beginning to know where to buy certain things.
Shopping in Seoul is almost a 'Horses for Courses' sort of situation. If you want item A you should go to Area 1 and if you want Item D you should go to area 4 because its the best place to buy Item D. Do you get my meaning?
Okay Clothes:
Well Cheap fashionable clothes shop in Tongdaemun, or Namdaemun. Although Tongdaemun is your best bet.
For Trendy Clothes, a little off beat, especially for women, Shop in Idae (Ewha Women's University Area).
For men's clothes Try Tongdaemun and also some of the smaller stores in the Suburbs like Boss which have good quality clothes that don't have the inner city pricetag. Also Itaewon is good.
Casual Clothes and US style sportsware and leather jackets is Itaewon.
For Sports labels, you find those at most outlet stores, in Myeong Dong, Kangnam and Co-ex in samseong dong. A good secret place is in Kwacheon, about an hour from Seoul by Bus. There is a strip of multi national outlets that are reasonably priced.
Designer Clothes: ApguJeong. But there are also some swish little boutiques opening up at the far southern end of Idae.
Electronics:
This used to be techno mart and Yongsan. But these days cowboys at these markets are having problems with rent as property prices rise so these are no longer cheap options. Small outlets are the best bet.
Nambu Bus terminal is still agood place.
Camera Equipment:
In a word, Chungmuro, although there are a few good shops around Chongno 3 ga.
I could go on, but room seems to be a problem.
Anything from items of Clothing at $10 US to Armani Jackets for $7 000 US. What is cheap in Seoul are Designer fakes from Itaewon or Tongdaemun.
They are GREAT quality and are one of Koreas best 'unofficial' exports. Bangkok Patpong market is Chocka with Korean fake Gucci, Chanel and Armani Items. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: Hmmmm! Scratching my head.Directions: Okay walk out your house and turn a corner you will find a shop, or shops or a market... REALLY. Seoul is one big Shop.
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It's a Korean (and perhaps Chinese) belief that's it's bad luck for a shopkeeper to get a returned item in the morning. It starts the day off in a negative position--which is bad karma.
So, unless you want Koreans to think you're trying to make them feel bad, take returns to stores after noon--the later in the day the better. They will likely take it a lot easier (what's a $2 return when I've made $300 today?) compared to first thing in the morning (I've lost $2 in just the first 5 minutes of opening!). Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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A not-so-large shopping area off the beaten path filled with bargains and popular with US military shoppers and Koreans in the know.
This mall is a great place to get awesome custom tailored clothing and shoes at Wal-Mart prices. Also a good place to get cuban Cigars
Men's Worsted-Wool tailored 2-piece $160.00
Ostrich boots $200
Ski Outfit $150 Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: PyongtaekDirections: Songtan area just outside Osan AB
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Located near Yongsan US Army garrison, Itaewon is a place famous for fakes, replicas and look-alike goods. If this is your target shopping, go for bargains here like no other place in Seoul.
Pushers approach you while walking and propose any sort of "brand" merchandise like clothing, accessories, electronics and wrist watches. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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The Electronic market is a huge 3 store complex near Seoul railway station.
You can find here a very large veriety of cameras ,laptops and computers and the prices are good and negosiable.
It's a very interseting place to visit and to see modern Korea. Leave a Comment Theme: Computers and ElectronicsAddress: Near Seoul train station
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Insadong has the best shopping in Seoul. This quaint street has many small alleys worth investigating, and there are tons of great shops selling art supplies, paintings, antiques, and souvenirs.
Don't miss out on the great restaurants and tea shops in the back alleys. Many have beautiful gardens and peaceful interiors. One old tea shop is filled with birds and interesting artefacts and many restaurants serve up traditional dancing and drumming with dinner. A few even offer traditional Buddhist vegetarian set meals, for a bit of a price.
More than in most places in Korea, but the quality and atmosphere is worth the extra. Leave a Comment Theme: Antiques
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