Seoul Shopping Tips by Ewingjr98 Top 5 Page for this destination

Namdaemun Area Namdaemun (Great South Gate) Review

Seoul's Namdaemun Area has hundreds of small shops selling everything from clothes and house wares to souvenirs at discount prices. There are also several decent restaurants on "food vendor alley."

This is one of the largest and most traditional markets in Seoul and it offers a wide variety of goods from authentic Korean pottery to knock-off American clothing. Just walking through the area is an adventure, whether you're buying anything or not. In my many visits to the area, I only bought a few small kitchen items, but I also stopped at shoe repair shops and a few of the great little restaurants.

Directions: Located near Seoul Station at Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4)

Theme: Discount Store

Other Shopping Info: Kyobo Bookstore - Gwanghwamun Other Shopping Info Review

Kyobo Bookstore is Seoul's largest bookstore, perhaps the largest in the nation. It features a great section of English language books of all kinds. Business hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, up to 8 p.m. on most Sundays, closed every second Sunday

Other bookstores in Seoul include Youngpoong Bookstore (Jongno), Jongno Bookstore (Jongno), and the Jinsol Bookstore (Gangnam).

What to pay: Kyobo is more expensive than Amazon.com

Directions: Subway Line 5 Gwanghwamun Station, the bookstore is connected underground with the station.

Phone: +82-2 397-3500

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.worldroom.com/pages/wrnsl/leisure/sl_bookstores.phtml

Yongsan Electronics Market Electronics Review

Yongsan Electronics Market has about 5,000 stores in some 20 buildings selling nothing but electronics. Prices here are usually very reasonable, but watch quality unless you stick with name brands! Samsung, LG, and other Asian brands are prevalent. Major items for sale include appliances, stereos and entertainment systems, computers, office equipment, telephones, lighting, games and software, videos and music, cell phones and cameras.

The area is modernizing in recent years with some nice new buildings, and a great new movie theater as well.

Take the subway or train to Yongsan Station and follow the signs to the market... just be careful--you'll be in the same area as Seoul's old red light district.

Theme: Computers and Electronics

Website: http://www.epinions.com/content_4739539076

Myeongdong Area Myeongdong Review

The Myeongdong area is a very popular shopping area among young women. It has dozens of name-brand stores such as Nike, New Balance, Levis, and others. Prices here are very steep, but it is worth walking around here just to people-watch!

Here's a cool photo of Myeongdong from the Chosun Ilbo newpaper...

Directions: Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station or City Bus 82 from Itaewon (700 Won).

Theme: Women's Clothes

Itaewon: Itaewon Itaewon Review

Itaewon is perhaps the most famous shopping area for foreigners in Korea. Though dirty, overcrowded, and often expensive, there are a few good deals and a few good shops in this area. If you shop in Itaewon, stick to the back streets and barter, barter, barter.

Many of the same items are availalble in other areas of the city or in Songtan for much lower prices.

Theme: Local Craft

Dapsimni Antique Markets Antiques Review

Korean antique furniture, tools, and books are in abundance at the Dapsimni antique stores one street north of Dapsimni Station on Line 5.

I went looking for new furniture made in the traditional style. They didn't have new furniture here, only true antiques, but one of the vendors drove me to the "factory" where furniture is made. It was a one-man show, in the basement of a small office building. He makes furniture by hand, based on photos or pictures from catalogs or magazines.

Theme: Antiques

Ewha Women's University Ewha Women's University (E-dae) Area Review

Just north of Ewha Women's University is a great shopping area for what? You guessed it -- women's clothing. In this area you will find hundreds of shops selling purses, pants, shoes, shirts, jewelry, and every imaginable accessory. There are also a few good restaurants and cafes in the area.

Theme: Women's Clothes

Dongdaemun Area Dongdaemun (Great East Gate) Review

Dongdaemun is a famous shopping area near the Dongdaemun -- or Great East Gate. It has sporting goods, clothing, used books, carpets, and many other things at great prices.

Directions: Subway Line 1 or Line 4 to Dongdaemun Station.

Theme: Sporting Goods

Insadong Insadong Review

Insadong is one of the most popular shopping areas in Seoul for tourists. It has stores specializing in Korean art, Buddhist crafts, wood carvings, calligraphy supplies, pottery, and many others.

What to pay: Things are a little expensive in Insadong, but you can't beat the atmosphere or the convenience.

Directions: Take Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station.

Theme: Local Craft