Shopping in Seoul, South Korea is one of the best things you can do in the country. Explore Seoul and take home some of the best souvenirs you could have!

South Korea is known for its rich culture and unique traditions. And with the influence of Kpop or Kdrama, a lot of youngsters (or even adults) get hooked by the Korean influence. Fashion, skincare, cosmetics, food, and a lot more, you’d never go home without having some products not related to any of these. That’s why we made this article just for you! If you’re here and you’re reading this, good luck! You’re about to get robbed (not literally, lol) as you will enter any of these markets and go home with an empty wallet but with bags full of awesome souvenirs. Definitely all worth it!

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Best Places to Go Shopping in Seoul that We Recommend

1. Myeongdong

Let’s start the list with the epitome of shopping spots in Seoul, none other than Myeongdeong. You can find almost everything here. It has tons of department stores, shopping malls, and street-side shops. You’ll find a lot of items here such as cheap clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and handbags from both local and international brands.

Address: 83-9 Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10:30 pm (hours vary by store)
Nearest Stations: Myeongdong Station, Exits 5, 6, 7, or 8 or Euljiro 1 (ij-ga) Station, Exits 5 or 6

2. Hongdae

In case you’re looking for a place that will bring out the youth in you, whether you want to go shopping or not, Hongdae is the place to be. There are various shops selling products ranging from handmade clothes to luxury items. The fashion shops will make you go crazy as you’ll see tons of designs by local designers. And when you’re here, don’t forget to check out street performances, festivals, and live music that most youth and students of Hongik University gather often go to.

Address: Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 9 am to midnight (hours vary by store)
Nearest Stations: Hongik University Station, Exit 8 or 9

3. Lotte Department Store Myeongdong

Ladies, Hang on tight to your wallet! Lotte Department Store has tons of skincare and cosmetic products! Not only that, but you can also find accessories, jewelry, furniture, electronics, and sports equipment here. A duty-free outlet can also be found here. And what’s great about the Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong? You can opt for your purchases to be delivered to the airport for pick-up so you don’t need to carry a lot of shopping bags with you as you go around the area.

Address: 81, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Mon-Fri: 10:30 am to 8 pm / Sat-Sun: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
Nearest Stations: Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station

4. Itaewon

Looking for imported fashionable goods? Head your way to Itaewon. It has over 100 shops where you can find souvenirs, antiques, handbags, shoes, leather items, and a lot more! And one of the best parts of Itaewon is it has tons of bars, clubs, and restaurants for all the foodie out there. These restaurants offer cuisines from all around the world such as Chinese, Australian, French, Thai, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Italian and many more!

Address: Itaewon-dong, Seoul, South Korea

5. Dongdaemun

The wholesale and retail goods at Dongdaemun is pure heaven for shop-goers. It has 26 malls and 30,000 shops plus 50,000 manufacturers. You’ll find shoes, clothes, leather goods, textiles, electronics, toys, office supplies, jewelry, and a lot more here! There are also tons of street stalls that surround the malls where you can find various items and delicious foods. You’d literally shop ’til you drop in this place.

Address: Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Tue – Sat: 10 am to 5 am / Sunday: 10:30 am to 11 pm
Nearest Stations: Dongdaemun Stadium Station, exit 8 or 9, or Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Exit 2 or 14

6. Goto Mall

Goto Mall or also known as the underground shopping center is an 800-meter-long underground alley that connects Express Bus Terminal Station and Banpo Station. Here, you’ll find cosmetics, clothes, bags, books, and accessories. The products here are way cheaper compared to the other shopping spots in Seoul, that’s why it is more popular to locals.

Address: Jiha 200, Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Nearest Stations: Express Bus Terminal Station

7. COEX Mall

COEX Mall has numerous brands ranging from beauty and fashion to entertainment and electronics that tourists and locals both love. And when you got here, you should not miss visiting the Starfield Library (if you’re a bookworm), it has more than 50,000 books in 13-meter-high bookshelves. You can also spend some time at the COEX Aquarium that houses more than 650 species of marine wildlife.

Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10:30 am to 10 pm (hours vary by store)
Nearest Stations: Samseong (World Trade Center) Station Line 2

8. Insadong

If you want to buy some traditional Korean crafts, Insadong is the place you should go to. It has plenty of traditional teahouses, antique shops, and bookstores. You can rent or even buy a hanbok if you want to, or buy some traditional paper (hanji), vintage toys, artwork, pottery, etc.

Address: 62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Nearest Stations: Anguk Station, Exit 6 or Jonggak Station, Exit 3

9. Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is a traditional market and is one of the busiest markets in South Korea. If you’re looking for some quality leather products, clothing, crafts, imported goods, electronics, and even traditional oriental medicines at affordable prices, this is the place to be. Most clothes here are sold at around 10,000 to 20,000 KRW! You’ll surely take home a lot of goods from this market.

Address: 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 4 am
Nearest Stations: Hoehyeon Station, Exit 5

10. Gwangjang Market

In Gwangjang Market, you can buy textiles, linen bed sheets, handicrafts, satin, silk, and traditional clothes such as hanbok dresses. You’ll find more than 500 shops here that sell cheap but high-quality products, even though they’re not branded.

Address: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 8:30 am to 11 pm (hours vary by store)
Nearest Stations: Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8 or Euljiro 4-ga Station, Exit 4

11. E-Mart

E-Mart is the largest chain and discount store in South Korea. Expect that items here are cheaper and the store itself is less crowded than Lotte Mart. You can buy a lot of Korean snacks here like Rice Krispies or Smoky Bacon Cheaps. When you visit this place, remember to bring your own bag (or eco bag) as they don’t provide plastic bags.

Address: 55, Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Open: Daily from 10 am to midnight
Nearest Stations: Yongsan Station, Exit 4

12. Chungbu Market

If you’re craving for some dried seafood, you should head your way to Chungbu market. The strong smell of dried seafood will welcome you even before entering the market. Various dried seafood such as dried anchovies can be found here.

Address: Ojang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Mon-Fri: 9 am to 6 pm

13. Yongsan Electronics Market

Yongsan Electronics Market boasts around 3,000 electronic stores. So if you want a gadget as a souvenir, this is the ideal place for that. Here, a wide array of gadgets, even office equipment, digital cameras, computers, video games, and DVDs can be found. You can even bargain for some stores. Let your bargaining skills unleashed.

Address: 15-2 Hangangno 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Mon-Fri: 10 am to 7:30 pm / Sat-Sun: 10 am to 8 pm (hours vary by store)

14. Tong-In Store

A shopping mall where you can find various traditional crafts, clothing, and books. Tong-In Store is situated in Insadong street. Finest crafts and awesome antique shops can also be found here. If you want to buy folk paintings, it is also possible but you have to purchase them through auctions.

Address: 32, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm

15. Seoul Folk Flea Market

If you love collecting antiques, Seoul Folk Flea Market would be heaven for you. Here, you’ll find more than 900 booths along Hwanghakgyo Bridge and Sinseol-dong Station that sells toys, manual typewriters, stones, and even authentic pottery. So if you don’t mind buying second-hand goods, you should go and buy some souvenirs here.

Address: 21, Cheonho-daero 4-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm (they are closed every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)

And…. that’s it! That is our list of the best shopping spots in Seoul, South Korea that could rob your wallet (in a good way, lol). So to all the shop-goers out there, Seoul is definitely a paradise for you!

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Kach Umandap

 Tuesday, May 9, 2023 2:07 PM