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Yongsan I'park Mall
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.

Traditional markets

Garak Fish Market
A traditional porcelain store in Insa-dong
Hanbok for sale in Hanbok shop in Dongdaemun Market
Shopping by night

Namdaemun Market is the oldest and one of the largest markets in the city. [1] Another large market is Dongdaemun Market. Near to it are several large mall complexes that specialize in fashion, including Migliore, Hello APM, and Doota.[ citation needed] Gwangjang Market is located in the Jongno District, and is known for the pancake-like food bindae-tteok, as well as mayak gimbap. The market is accessible by either Jongno 5-ga, or Euljiro 4-ga metro station. [2]

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, Gyeongdong Market for oriental medicine, Changanpyeong Antique Market and the fish markets Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market.

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

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

See also

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".

External links