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Seoul Shopping

shopping paradise - Seoul
shopping paradise
by Christianzagar
Go shopping in Seoul with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals.
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Popular Shopping (15) | Other Shopping Tips (32) | All Tips (190)
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Myeongdong: Not pronounced My-young-dong
  • Tip Rating:
  • jburron
  • By jburron on March 23, 2004
  • Seoul Page by jburron
  • Typical Saturday in Myoungdong - Seoul
    Typical Saturday in Myoungdong
    by jburron
    The name gets a snicker sometimes when you first hear/read it, but it's not to be missed. Go on a weekend or holiday and especially in the warmer months (starting in late May)...this is when thousands of Korean students and young people head there for a day of eating (lots of restaurants, including Western ones), drinking (lots of hofs, too), shopping (many stores) and coffee drinking (rumored largest Starbucks in the world is right here!).

    Like Namdaemun it stretches for quite a few blocks, turn around if you start to get into areas with fewer than 100 people on the street (you're outside of the Myoungdong).

    Pretty much anything that a young person would want. Real and fake clothes (2 Adidas stores with 20-foot Beckham posters within a block of each other), accessories, tourist stuff. There are bazzar-department stores (like in Dongdaemun), chain fashion and other stores (like in the West) and street sellers (see What to Pay)

    Bargain everywhere. Never pay full price, always 10%-20% should come off. Never take your wallet out until you have the price firm. Never get too excited about an item. Always show flaws or make up some option or color you would prefer (one that they cannot give, thus should give you a discount for not having it). Always buy 2 or more items...should get a 20% discount at least for that. If you get 30%-35% off consider yourself a local.

    Not likely to get a discount in the Western/Chain stores, but worth a try.

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  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Address: Myoungdong Subway (Line 4) or any taxi
  • Directions: Once off the subway go above ground (try to get out by one of the north exits, near Galleria). Then stroll into Myoungdong.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Namdaemun (Great South Gate): Another Great Gate
  • Tip Rating:
  • jburron
  • Updated By jburron on February 11, 2008
  • Seoul Page by jburron
  • The gate is a bit of an attratction, too. - Seoul
    The gate is a bit of an
    attratction, too.
    by jburron, 1 more photos
    Nam (³²) is South, Dae (´ë) is great, mun (¹®) is gate: Great South Gate. Just get there and start walking. The market is bordered by massive streets but if you walk in and out of the blocks of stalls and shops you can find some little gems.

    If you get a hankering for a real LV bag just go across the street to Shinsege Department Store (near the Bank of Korea building) but better bring a high-limit credit card.

    Not as organized as Dongdaemun, this market is mostly outdoor with many, many sellers of bags/attaches/purses/luggage and about anything else one could need. Some good knock-offs here as well, but not in the shops...got to go to the more mobile sellers in the street for the best goods. For instance, LV belt (vinyl, but nice looking) 15,000 - 1,000 discount if buying 2 (see: What to Pay).

    Also: TONS of clothing, some of which is fake, others are just low-priced.

    Bargain everywhere. Never pay full price, always 10%-20% should come off. Never take your wallet out until you have the price firm. Never get too excited about an item. Always show flaws or make up some option or color you would prefer (one that they cannot give, thus should give you a discount for not having it). Always buy 2 or more items...should get a 20% discount at least for that. If you get 30%-35% off consider yourself a local.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Discount Store
  • Address: Hoehyeon (Namdaemun) on Line 4.
  • Directions: Taxi as well would know how to get there, but subway is best...just get above ground and ask anyone where Namdaemun market is.
  • Website: http://hometownyeouido.blogspot.com/2004/11/lunchtime-near-namdaemoon.html
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Itaewon: Buying a Custom Suit (In Itaewon)
  • Tip Rating:
  • jburron
  • By jburron on January 3, 2005
  • Seoul Page by jburron
  • My Bud Minaz and His Tailor. - Seoul
    My Bud Minaz and His Tailor.
    by jburron
    If you're a Westerner and you walk down Itaewon Street (the main drag) especially the south (Seoul Pub) side of the street from Itaewon Station (line 6) toward Yongsan Garrison (U.S. Army base) you'll probably be approached by 5-15 older, shorter Korean gents looking to hook you up with a good custom rag. They have a number of lines: best quality, best price, best service, best whatever. I think they are, more or less, all the same. They act as agents for mills (usually in Dongdaemoon) that actually make the suit. (Of course, they ALL have the inside track to the best quality, price, service...)

    Here's the deal. A suit will probably run you 200 USD (they always price in USD, no matter where you're from).You pick the fabric, style and such and it'll be ready for a fitting in 2-3 days (or maybe a week, dependiing...), then a final fitting a day or so later and you're done. All you need to do after that is call the dude from anywhere in the world and you can have a suit made and sent to you (but some get a fitting on a lay-over through Seoul, I imagine).

    It's a pretty good service, but you should also know that when I buy off the rack (not in a department store, mine you, but the same stuff about a season behind) I get a good fit and it costs me about 300USD for 2 sets of a suit and extra suitpants. So, there are even better deals outside of Itaewon (where I find foreigners get fleeced a bit). But if you want convenience (English, USD) it's a good spot to shop.

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  • Theme: Men's Clothes
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Other Shopping Info: Banding = Pant Hemming in Korea
  • Tip Rating:
  • jburron
  • By jburron on December 24, 2004
  • Seoul Page by jburron
  • If you want to give him a call, here's his #. - Seoul
    If you want to give him a
    call, here's his #.
    by jburron
    I got a pair of pants also and wanted them altered before I left. The guy said in the basement of a nearby building there was 밴딩/banding (Konglish for hemming, I gathered correctly). I thought I'd have to search the place to find one...but, in true Korean fashion, there were 7-8 down there. I just approached the one that was least busy and he got at it. The price was 4,000 won (3.60USD) and done in about 5 minutes. The guy I bought the pants from said it was 2,000 won but I wanted a cuff on it and was not energized to fight this guy for a couple of bucks (it costs 5,000 won for the dude to come to my apartment so what the heck).

    Here's a tip in negotiating: if you need alterations (basically all dress pants and suits) then ask them to discount the price of the item you're buying. It works A LOT. This guy (begrudgingly) gave me 1,000 won off the pants (a whopping 14,000 won total price) so even when they don't want to they usually do.

    2,000 won for a normal hem, 4,000 for a cuff on your pants.

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  • Theme: Men's Clothes
  • Phone: 02-757-3512
  • Directions: It's under one of the buildings, basically no signage (definately not in English). Ask the sellers where you can get 'banding' done.
  • Website: http://hometownyeouido.blogspot.com/2004/11/last-24-hours-or-so.html
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Itaewon: Itaewon - Where the western folk shop!
  • Tip Rating:
  • kdoc13
  • By kdoc13 on May 26, 2004
  • Seoul Page by kdoc13
  • The Itaewon Shopping and Club District - Seoul
    The Itaewon Shopping and Club
    District
    by kdoc13
    Itaewon is a mighty strange area. It is very western friendly, but also kind of third worldish at times. I love it because for a first time visitor to Seoul, it is a good place to ease into it. Many vendors speak english, during the day there is very little to zero crime, and there are actually some good buys on things....There is also Hwenson Lee!

    The entire strip of Itaewan runs along one road, from the area of the Yongsan military base to where the road curves just past the "Thai Orchid". It is easily accessed by subway through the Itaewon station, and is on Line 6 which runs all over town! The area is a great place to duck into a restaurant (both western and Korean), buy Cd's (I highly reccomend SES or BoA), buy shoes, or visit the infamous Hwenson Lee!

    Ok, I have teased enough about Hwenson Lee, time to let you off the hook. Mr. Lee is a tailor in Itaewon, who actually makes very nice suits at a good price. He has one and only one major customer though, Lucciano Pavoratti, yes, the Italian Opera Tenor. Mr. Lee is always happy to take a stranger off the street to show them his works, and his pictures of his most famous client. On all three of my trips to Seoul, I have been welcomed back into the shop to see pictures of Mr. Pavoratti. Again though, very nice suits.

    Many of the vendors also reside on the street, where good deals can be had on everythign from Nike Shoes, to coats, to umbrellas (handy in the rainy season.) There is also a police station very close, and very public in case anything should go wrong while you are there. Plus, you can stick around for the western friendly nightlife. But be warned about interaction with the local women, this is an area where the women who may share a drink with you are on the job and looking for your money for their companionship.

    The Korea Leather Center had some really great looking coats, and of course there are suits made by the tailor to Pavoratti!

    It is hard to say. Many vendors are used to westerners with a set price, but I found I was able to haggle my own price on a lot of items, just by showing interest and then pretending it was too much. This probably won't work everywhere, but is worth a try. Your results may vary.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Line 6 to the Itaewon station, any exit.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Dongdaemun (Great East Gate): So you are looking for the best deal.....
  • Tip Rating:
  • olddude
  • By olddude on May 18, 2005
  • Seoul Page by olddude
  • Doosan Tower - Seoul
    Doosan Tower
    by olddude
    If you are really into shopping (like some people need a cigarette), then when you are in Seoul, you just have to go to Dongdaemun. It is one of the largest shopping districts in the world and has just about anything the heart could ever want.

    Built in 1905, the market consists of 30 shopping centers and about 30,000 stores, and more than 50,000 manufacturing companies joined together to trade textiles, clothes, shoes, sports goods, stationery, toys, household goods, and accessories.

    What makes this place really special is it is where most of the other shopping areas in Korea get their products. So you can come here and cut out the various middlemen and get the best deal on just about anything.

    As an example, I purchased a Timberland-type Gortex parka here for $40 that would have cost me $250.00 easily in a retail outlet in the US. I got snow suits for my girls for only $20 (and they had to use them in the Korean and Nebraska winters).

    Also, this market is literally open 24 hours. The retail portion is open from 10am to 6pm and the wholesalers portion is open from 8pm to 9am (so the early bird really does get the worm here)

    As I said, just about everything. There is even a pretty cool pet section that sells everything from chipmunks to chimpanzees (I even saw some resus monkeys for sale there once).

    It depends on how well you haggle and how much you buy if buying in bulk.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Dongdaemun Market
  • Directions: right next to the 600 year old Dongdaemun Gate, right on subway line #4
  • Website: http://www.dongdaemun.com/foreigntrade/english/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Dongdaemun (Great East Gate): Wholesale Area For Dry Goods,Multi-level buildings
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  • machomikemd
  • Updated By machomikemd on July 25, 2008
  • Seoul Page by machomikemd
  • Dongdaemun Market w/ Dongdaemun Studio - Seoul
    Dongdaemun Market w/
    Dongdaemun Studio
    by machomikemd, 4 more photos
    Korea's largest wholesale and retail shopping district has 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops, and 50,000 manufacturers. Within the ten blocks of the market area, you can find silks, clothes, shoes, sporting goods, plumbing and electrical supplies, electronics, office supplies, toys and just about everything else imaginable.

    The market was traditionally a night market and wholesalers once operated from 1:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now, the area is open for 18 ½ hours a day from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with some stores open 24 hours a day, although most stores close on Sundays and holidays.

    clothing materials, bedding, dishes and silverware' clothing, shoes, bags, colored wigs, CDs, inexpensive jewelry, and other fashion accessories and a whole lot more!

    (like in Namdaemun Market, you can find "Super Copy" Luxury Leather Goods like LV, Prada, Bulgari, etc here too!).

    for latest fashion trends, you can go to Doosan Tower (Doota) and Migliore, which are today's hottest shopping areas for college students and teens in Korea (and way cheaper stuff than in Myeongdong!)

    again it depends on your haggling skills and the need of a korean interpreter.

  • Theme: Women's Clothes
  • Address: Jongno 5 (o)-ga, Seoul
  • Phone: (822) 2261-2192 to 94
  • Directions: Subway lines 1 & 4, Dongdaemun Station; or Subway lines 2 & 4, Dongdaemun Stadium Station
  • Website: www.dongdaemun.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Other Shopping Info: Travelling Bazaars
  • Tip Rating:
  • jburron
  • By jburron on April 20, 2004
  • Seoul Page by jburron
  • Not a shop, but basically a bazaar consisting of men's and women's dress and casual wear, shoes (usually Nike or Asics is a title brand) and kitchen/misc items that makes its way around Seoul throughout the year. Usually it opens at a particular location on a Thursday and packs up on the following Monday (after 10-11 days).

    Finding one can be tough. There are usually signs in the area a week or so before the sale noting the time, location and main brands. If you don't understand Korean/Hangul just tear a sign down and show a friend.

    The deals are great, in most cases, but you have to know your quality and prices. I got a 675,000 won (USD 580) cashmere/wool overcoat for 150,000...that was nice. You can get shirts for 20,000-30,000; ties for 5,000 (poly) to 10,000 (silk) and suits that retail for 300,000 for cheap (I paid 350,000 for 2 suits with 2 extra pants each). Remember to haggle here. There is a 10-30% discount off their first price...and 60-80% off the retail price. (Best to bring a local or speak $$Korean to get the best deals.)

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Usually in Jung-no area, Yeouido area...others.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Electronics: Geeks Candy Store
  • Tip Rating:
  • olddude
  • Updated By olddude on September 16, 2004
  • Seoul Page by olddude
  • Inside One of the 7000 stores - Seoul
    Inside One of the 7000 stores
    by olddude
    Largest Electronic Market in the World is what is it is touted as and it probably is not far from the truth. Bigger than Japan's and Hong Kong's combined, if you can't find it here, no one has thought of it yet. From state of the art video camera's and cell phones to plasma screens and superfast computer components, they have it all here at some very reasonable prices.

    Anything that your heart desires is here. Shop around though, because prices vary greatly from shop to shop. They sell everything electronic from full blown computerized home entertainment systems all the way down to the transistor and diode level. There are shops that only sell one minor component of a motherboard. If you want to build a motherboard from scratch or design one and have it built for you, they can do it here. I had a 128MB video card built for me (before they were even available in the states) in less than 2 hours and cost me only $90US. The card lasted a year so I felt like I got a great deal.

    Prices are highly variable so take notes and no money the first time you visit or you will go through your life savings at the sheer magnitude and volume of available items here.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Computers and Electronics
  • Address: Shinyongsan Subway stop on line #4
  • Directions: Yongsan-gun
  • Website: http://yongsan.go.kr/eng/local/a_body.asp
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Namdaemun (Great South Gate): Budget Shopping At It's Best in Seoul
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  • machomikemd
  • Updated By machomikemd on July 25, 2008
  • Seoul Page by machomikemd
  • Night Viewof Nam Dae Mun Market - Seoul
    Night Viewof Nam Dae Mun
    Market
    by machomikemd, 4 more photos
    Namdaemun is a large, open-air market, named for nearby Namdaemun (Great South Gate), has existed in the same place for more than 600 years and is Korea's largest traditional market. It is filled with over 1,000 shops, stalls, retailers, street vendors, and has several department stores nearby. Here you can find clothes, shoes, fabrics, tableware, flowers, vegetables, ginseng products, toys, and watches. Under Namdaemun-no (the main street to the north of the market) is an extensive underground arcade.

    Wholesalers operate from midnight to 6:00 a.m., and retailers are open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Market is closed on Sundays. Though it specializes in clothing, with hundreds of vendors selling shirts, pants and jackets, it sells just about everything (including low quality and high quality "super copy" luxury brands like LV, Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, etc-just enter the stalls and ask for the super copy since the low quality good are just displayed outside!)

    assorted Korean Souvenirs, shirts, food, soju, fashion dresses, low quality and high quality fakes of Luxury Leather goods like LV, Prada, Gucci or Bulgari and a lot more!

    depends on your haggling skills, they don't know much english so I would siggest having an interpreter or tour guide with you.

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Namchang-dong (Jung-gu, downtown,Hoehyon Station)
  • Phone: (82) 2128-7800
  • Directions: Subway line 4, Hoehyeon Station, Namchang-dong (Jung-gu, downtown), Seoul
  • Website: www.indm.net/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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