Itaewon, Seoul

My Fiance lives in Itaewon. I spent 2 weeks there with her in February of 2008. She lives at the very edge of the market area. Yes, there are some places to avoid, but so also on Park Ave, or Rodeo Drive. If you want American food, there is almost every major franchise. The prices are a bit high, but the food was ok. We ate at a lot of local korean places, and the food was much less expensive, the service was good, and the food tasted great. I bought her diamond ring in one of the jewlry shops on the main drag, and the prices were a bit less than the ones I had priced in Phoenix before I left. I took eight members of her family to the Chinese Buffet in the Hyatt Hotel, we had a great time, but the tab was just under $500 w/o the tip. We bought some very nice stuff to take home for my familly, and the prices, after haggling, were very reasonable. I guess having someone who has lived in Itaewon most of her 51 years is an asset. All in all, a very enjoyable experience. If you go, and you see the Manchester Custom Tailor Co. at #58-5 Itaewon-dong, stop in and see David Littleman, and tell him I said hi. They made me a very nice Cashmere Suit(the one I have on in the picture)

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ITAEWON
Itaewon leads Korea’s fashion and bars & clubs there have an exotic atmosphere.

www.itaewon.go.kr

Unique Suggestions: Itaewon is such a popular shopping location for tourist.

Fun Alternatives: Apgujeong Rodeo Street is described as the ‘no 1’ Fashion area in Korea. It has developed into representing the newest fashion trends and cultural spot for young people.

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Do not shop for souvenirs in Itaewon unless you have money to burn. If you do decide to shop here, be sure to barter. If you start at half the marked price, you may end up with a fair price.

Itaewon does have a huge variety of souvenirs such as faux mink blankets, traditional masks, paintings and drawings, lamps, pottery, and just about anything else you can think of... Prices are just cheaper elsewhere. In Songtan, 45 km to the south, most things are about 1/2 price. In Insa-dong just a few km north, quality is much higher. Even in Namdaemun, things are typically more authentic and higher quality, while at lower prices.

Itaewon does have a large number of name-brand American stores such as Nike, North Face, Columbia, and Reebok, but prices are very high, even when compared to the states. You can often find better prices just by shopping online.

Fun Alternatives: Any of the smaller cities throughout Korea have much less expensive shopping.

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Ahh Itaewon... Love it and hate it. Don't be fooled ~~almost everything here is marked up in price! From Photo delevopment to tea sets. The antique replica market under Helios seems to be on the up and up though and prices are reasonable. There is also visible prostitution on the hill and girly bars scattered around if this offends you.

Unique Suggestions: But as far as foreign food- it can't be beat for quality. Great Thai, Indian, Italian, French food places as well as foreign food supermarkets offer reasonable prices. (since you can't get them anywhere else!)

Fun Alternatives: If you're looking for souveneirs- insdie the Mall in Namdaemoon has much better selection and better prices. Insadong also has many beautiful things- but is also pricy... better value than Itaewan though.

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Ahh Itaewon... Love it and hate it. Don't be fooled ~~almost everything here is marked up in price! From photo development to tea sets. The replica antiques shop under Helios seems to be on the up and up though. There are also alot of prostitutes and girly bars up on the hill.

Unique Suggestions: But as far as foreign food- it can't be beat for quality. Great Thai, Indian, Italian, French food places as well as foreign food supermarkets offer reasonable prices. (since you can't get them anywhere else!)

Fun Alternatives: If you're looking for souveneirs- insdie the Mall in Namdaemoon has much better selection and better prices. Insadong also has many beautiful things- but is also pricy... better value than Itaewan though.

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Itaewon is either a blessing or a curse, depending upon what sort of traveler you are. If you are a typical American, having little interest in culture or assimilating, then by all means, yes, head to Itaewon. Some of the tailors speak better English than you. You can find Western-style lunch on every corner, often over $20.00 for lunch (ask before you get it- a mistake I made several times). Personally, I don't like Itaewon at all- I feel ill when I am there. They are selling goods on the street for often more than triple what it cost them in Dongdaemun. They do speak English, but are very pushy, and don't mind getting upset if you don't buy their goods. I advise letting James, the tailor, give you his spiel. There's also that Pavoratti tailor, hah, but James- I thought he was an American Porsche salesman, he was that good. But $260-420 for a suit is steep- they are $110 in Pyongtaek or Osan; also, I don't like how the Koreans in itaewon make up these silly Romanized names, like "John Steadman," as I feel that it presume that Americans are too ignorant to remember or pronounce Korean names. I was unhappy with the food everywhere, as it is so overpriced, except for Korean food. If you are nervous when you first get to Seoul, this should be your first destination, and hopefully, your only visit. A good primer, if you are afraid to deal with the locals.

Unique Suggestions: You can find an Outback, Starbucks, Paris Baguette (the awesome Korean bakery chain), Baskin Robbins, Subway, Taj Mahal Indian food, and Taco in Itaewon, and of course, McDonalds and Burger King. Definitely go to the Burger King, so you can appreciate how much better it tastes in the US, but also, the unique, multi-step trash-disposal (pour out your liquids, cups go here, paper goes here, leftover food goes here- damn they are efficient). Truly, a Western haven, if you can afford it and don't want to venture anywhere else (or late at night, when many deals elsewhere become available). Otherwise, it seems to be controlled by jaded Korean street vendors, peddling counterfeit wares at marked up prices. If you have to shop there, they do have Burberry scarfs, some Burberry shirts (they are REALLY nice), Polo shirts and sweaters, designer belts (Gucci, Cartier, &c), Prada jackets, Chanel everything (bags, wallets, jackets), Coach, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Armani, and any other designer label that exists, in most forms. Go to Taco, which is on the road perpendicular to Itaewon, for a cheap burrito (plan to wait 30 minutes though) in an othewise expensive area.

Fun Alternatives: Alternatives? Anywhere else in Seoul. Dongdaemun, Myong Dong, Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Hongdae.

As you're traveling through, you'll have a number of people trying to convince you to come to their stores to get hand-made suits and shoes for ridiculously low prices. Some of these shop owners are very good, but some will sell you crap and you won't figure it out until you get home. You will also find fake Rolex, Tag Heuer, Ralph Lauren, etc. Some of the stuff you'll find (namely clothing) is the real deal, but for some reason it didn't pass the quality check by the company so local vendors sell it.

Unique Suggestions: When buying those discounted Polo shirts, make sure the name is spelled properly (eg. Ralph Lauren and not Ralf Lavren). If ou're shopping for suits or other clothes, know what you're looking.

Fun Alternatives: You can shop at the places where the locals shop for suits and shoes, but you'll generally pay more. Find a local U.S. military person there...they are usually there for one or two years and have scoped out the best places to buy quality suits and other clothes.

The shopkeepers may speak some English, but the items are over-priced. Not worth the subway ticket. The atmosphere seems forced and disengenous, as though the whole place was designed solely for foreigners.

Unique Suggestions: I understand that the western restaurants here aren't bad, but I didn't have the opportunity to try them out. I went in the morning when it was dead, but I hear nightlife here can get interesting.

Fun Alternatives: I think Insadong has much more of a traditional shopping atmosphere, although it's not much cheaper. And if you're looking for a real bargain, Dongdaemoon or Migliore may be a better bet.