Shopping in Seoul

Last updated

Yongsan I'park Mall Electronic mall in seoul-yongsan.jpg
Yongsan I'park Mall
Insadong Ssamji street Seoul-Insadong-07.jpg
Insadong Ssamji street

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has many shopping areas and markets throughout the city. Famous ones include Myeong-dong, Cheongdam-dong, the Hongdae area, and the Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets.

Contents

Traditional markets

Garak Fish Market Korea-Seoul-Garak Fish Market-02.jpg
Garak Fish Market
A traditional porcelain store in Insa-dong Seoul-Insadong-Korean.Traditional.Porcelains.jpg
A traditional porcelain store in Insa-dong
Hanbok for sale in Hanbok shop in Dongdaemun Market Korean.clothes-Hanbok-01.jpg
Hanbok for sale in Hanbok shop in Dongdaemun Market
Shopping by night Stradaseuldinotte.JPG
Shopping by night

One of the most notable shopping areas in the city is Myeong-dong.

Insa-dong is a narrow street known for its antique stores, traditional teahouses art galleries. Other markets include the Hwanghak-dong Flea Market (황학동 벼룩시장), Gyeongdong Market (광동시장) for oriental medicine, Changanpyeong Antique Market and the fish markets Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market (노량진 수상시장) and Garak Market (가락시장).

Itaewon is another notable shopping area in the city lined with boutiques and stores especially targeted at the large foreign population in Seoul. The area contains tailors, leather and shoes stores, and antiques such as brassware and jewelry and specialist shops dealing in Korean art and calligraphy. Access to Itaewon is from Itaewon Station, Insa-dong from Anguk station, and Sinchon from Sinchon station , Hongik University station and Ewha Woman's University station (the former of which should not be confused with Jamsilsaenae station on the opposite side of Seoul.

Hongdae is also home to independent clothing stalls, discount and vintage shops, especially along the main thoroughfare of Eoulmadang-ro. [3] The Hongdae Playground, also known as Hongik Children's Park, located between Wausan-ro and Wausan-ro 21-gil opposite Hongik University is home to street vendors who sell their wares in the evenings. On weekends, from March to November at 13:00 to 18:00, flea markets are held on Hongdae Playground (놀이터) that is in front of the main gate of Hongik University. The flea markets are called "Free Market" on Saturdays and "Hope Market" on Sundays. [4] [5] [6]

Apgujeong (Apgujeong Station), Cheongdam-dong (Cheongdam station) and Gangnam (Gangnam station) areas are also well known shopping destinations. COEX mall in the area is also popular and also contains one of the largest aquariums in Asia, accessible from Samseong station.

The 760-meter-long section of main street Apgujeong-ro in Cheongdam-dong, that runs from Apgujeongrodeo station at Galleria Department Store to Cheongdam crossroad, has been dubbed the 'Cheongdam Fashion Street' or 'Cheongdamdong Street of Luxury Goods'. It is lined with stores of luxury brands, such as Cartier's first flagship store in South Korea, named Cartier Maison, MCM Haus flagship store, 10 Corso Como, Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry; as well as outlets for 3.1 Phillip Lim, Martin Margiela and Tory Burch and Korean designer Son Jung-wan. [7] [8] [9] [10] The area is also home to Vera Wang's first Asian flagship store 'Vera Wang Bridal Korea'. [11]

Specialty stores

Myeong-dong at night, Missha store on the right Myeong-dong street by night.JPG
Myeong-dong at night, Missha store on the right

The Yongsan Electronics Market of Seoul is the largest electronics market in Asia. The market specializes in electronic goods as well as computer parts, of which South Korea is a major world producer of and it contains approximately 5,000 stores housed in 22 buildings. This area can be accessed via Yongsan Station or Sinyongsan Station. Techno Mart in Gwangjin-gu is a large mall specializing in electronic and computer goods, accessible directly from Gangbyeon station. There is also an electronic shopping centre located in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, accessible from exit 3 Nambu Bus Terminal station. [12]

Cosmetics and skincare

Shopping mall

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street</span>

Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street is a major outlet shopping center in Seoul, South Korea. Clothing of many types is found here, some at substantially discounted rates. Most of the major Korean labels have stores here, as do many international brands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yongsan District</span> Autonomous District in Sudogwon, South Korea

Yongsan District is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyobo Book Centre</span> South Korean book retailer

Kyobo Book Centre is the largest bookstore chain in South Korea. It has ten stores in seven cities, with the flagship Main Store, or Gwanghwamun-jeom in Seoul, which is located in the basement of the Kyobo Building, at 1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu in Seoul's central business district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gangnam District</span> Autonomous and third largest district of Seoul, South Korea

Gangnam District is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. The term Gangnam translates to "South of the [Han] River". Gangnam District is the third largest district in Seoul, with an area of 39.5 km2 (15.3 sq mi). As of the 2017 census, Gangnam District had a population of 561,052. There is a high concentration of wealth in the district, with prices for an apartment as of 2020 nearly double those in the rest of Seoul. Gangnam District is part of Gangnam School District Eight, along with the Seocho District. This district shares half of Gangnam-daero Gangnam Station area with Seocho District, which is one of the most crowded places in South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myeong-dong</span> Neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea

Myeong-dong is a dong (neighborhood) in Jung District, Seoul, South Korea between Chungmu-ro, Eulji-ro, and Namdaemun-ro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hongdae (area)</span> Neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea

Hongdae (Korean: 홍대) is a neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea near Hongik University, after which it is named. It is known for its urban arts and indie music culture, local shops, clubs, cafés and entertainment. The area is located in Mapo District in the western end of Seoul, stretching from Seogyo-dong, Hapjeong-dong & Seogang-dong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apgujeong-dong</span> Neighbourhood in Seoul, South Korea

Apgujeong-dong is a ward of Gangnam-gu in Seoul, South Korea. It is considered one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in South Korea. It was reported that housing price of Apgujeong-dong is approximately US$28,300 per one square meter by Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2019.

Hyundai Department Store (Korean: 현대백화점) is a major department store chain in South Korea. Its parent company is the Hyundai Department Store Group. It, Lotte Department Store, and Shinsegae are the three largest chains in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myeong-dong station</span> A Seoul Metro subway station

Myeong-dong Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 4. This station is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hongik University station</span> Subway station in Seoul, South Korea

Hongik University Station is a station on Seoul Subway Line 2, AREX and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line. As its name indicates, it serves the nearby Hongik University. It was formerly known as Donggyo Station, after the neighborhood that it serves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinchon-dong, Seoul</span> Neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea

Sinchon-dong (Korean: 신촌동) is a neighbourhood and a judicial dong in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheongdam-dong</span> Neighbourhood in Seoul, South Korea

Cheongdam-dong (Korean: 청담동) is a ward of Gangnam District in Seoul, South Korea. The area is best known in South Korea as an affluent neighborhood populated by a disproportionately high number of high-income individuals and for having some of the most expensive real estate in the country. It is known as an upmarket shopping area, with the main shopping street dubbed Cheongdam Fashion Street. Along with Apgujeong's Rodeo Street in Apgujeong-dong and Garosu-gil in Sinsa-dong, which are connected by the main Apgujeong-ro, they are seen as fashionable and trendsetting destinations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samseong-dong</span> Neighbourhood in Seoul, South Korea

Samseong-Dong is an affluent neighborhood or ward of Gangnam-gu in Seoul, South Korea.

Galleria Department Store (Korean: 갤러리아백화점) is an upmarket South Korean department store franchise owned by Hanwha Group. It has 5 branches throughout Korea, notably the Luxury Hall West and Luxury Hall East, both in Apgujeong-dong, as upmarket luxury-brand fashion malls in Seoul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seoul</span> Capital of South Korea

Seoul, officially Seoul Special City, and formerly known as Hanseong and Keijō, is the capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK), commonly known as South Korea, and the country's most extensive urban center. The broader Seoul Capital Area, encompassing Gyeonggi province and Incheon metropolitan city, emerged as the world's fourth largest metropolitan economy in 2014, trailing only Tokyo, New York City, and Los Angeles, hosting more than half of South Korea's population. Although Seoul's population peaked at slightly over 10 million, it has gradually decreased since 2014, standing at approximately 9.97 million residents as of 2020. Seoul is the seat of the South Korean government.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is home to giant business groups such as Hyundai, SK, LG, Hanhwa, GS, KB, CJ and Samsung, ranking fifth in global city GDP and second in Asian city GDP. The service sector accounts for the largest portion of the city's labor force. As the center of the country's finance, Seoul is concentrated in Yeouido, where the headquarters of major stock exchanges and banks are located. The city holds many annual trade fairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garosu-gil</span> Shopping street in Seoul, South Korea

Garosu-gil (Korean: 가로수길) is an area in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. The name Garosu-gil, meaning "tree-lined street", refers to the ginkgo trees planted along the streets in the area. Garosu-gil is known for upscale boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and cafes, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apgujeongrodeo station</span> Station of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway

Apgujeongrodeo is a station on the Suin–Bundang Line, a commuter rail line of Korail.

Retailing in South Korea consists of hypermarkets, department stores, flea markets, traditional markets, and underground shopping malls. Hypermarkets sell dry goods and groceries, similar to Western supercentres. Traditional markets are also popular throughout South Korea.

References

  1. "서울에서 가장 큰 전통시장은?" [What is the Largest Traditional Market in Seoul?]. 서울연구원 (in Korean). 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  2. "광장시장 '빈대떡 대통령', 노점 음식의 공식을 새로 쓰다". No Cut News . 3 November 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. "Hongdae Hedonism – A Haven For Young Fashion Experts". Korea Tourism Organization . Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  4. "Hongdae Free Market (홍대 프리마켓)". Korea Tourism Organization . Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  5. Lee Sun-young; Kim Young-won; Sang Youn-joo (21 September 2012). "Treasure hunting at flea markets: Community-based markets for secondhand goods thrive in Seoul". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  6. Lee Sun-young; Kim Young-won; Sang Youn-joo (21 September 2012). "Seoul's best flea markets". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  7. Kwon, Mee-yoo (16 December 2010). "Cheongdam sparkles with trendiest shops". The Korea Times . Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  8. "Cheongdamdong Street (청담동거리)". Korea Tourism Organization . Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  9. "Cheongdam-dong Fashion (Celebrity) Street, Gangnam". Visit Seoul. Seoul City Tourism. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  10. Garcia, Cathy Rose A. (28 September 2008). "Cartier Opens Flagship Store in Cheongdam". The Korea Times . Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  11. Lee, Rachel (29 June 2012). "Vera Wang opens 1st Asia flagship in Seoul". The Korea Times . Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  12. "Private Site".