Shopping in South Korea
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A
Boon the Shop
This slimmed-down version of Galleria has stairways and balconies around an atrium courtyard, providing a chic atmosphere as you browse lesser-known brand-name stores. Don’t even think about taking a photograph – shopkeepers will think you’re trying to copy their designs (styles appear in Apgujeong and a few days later they’re out in Dongdaemun).
reviewed
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B
Migliore
It has stacks of fashion outlets, five cinemas on the 11th floor, a 24-hour jjimjilbang (luxury sauna; admission around ₩5000) and an event stage outside. The jjimjilbang has great facilities including aroma, cucumber and green-tea pools while a full-body massage, oil and scrub beauty treatment is around ₩12,000.
reviewed
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C
Filipino Sunday Market
Join the jolly Filipino community in Seoul who gather in this lively Little Manila every Sunday to meet, chat and eat Filipino food. Street stalls sell tropical treats such as coconut drinks, cassava cakes, fried bananas on a stick, adobo chicken and longaniza sausage. Call-back telephone cards are also on sale.
reviewed
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D
Beautiful Store
One of a pioneering and expanding chain of secondhand shops that raise money for charities in Korea and abroad. Beautiful Store has introduced the joys of op-shopping to Seoul with CDs, shoes and clothes that all sell for W3000. Find it halfway up the stairs of subway Exit 4. Another branch is near Bongeunsa.
reviewed
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E
Sabee
A unique Insadong store, this is the only outlet for traditional hanbok -style clothes for men and women. The orange colour comes from a special Korean technique of using persimmon dye that uses all parts of the tree – flowers, bark, leaves and seeds. This designer clothing doesn’t come cheap – W280,000 is the minimum.
reviewed
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Rodeo Street
Rodeo Street has piercing shops, ‘now’ items, the latest local eco-chic natural look and enough brand-name stores to make a walk along it worthwhile. But don’t expect too much – Apgujeong’s fashion shops are spread over a wide area, and there are lots of ordinary, everyday stores in between.
reviewed
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F
Chungjangno
Chungjangno, Gwangju's buzzing, semi-pedestrianised shopping district, is bursting with clothing and accessory stores, bars, nightclubs, buzzing restaurants and all the fast-food chains. A tsunami of young people sweeps along the streets every night, both above ground and in the Chunggeum underground shopping arcade.
reviewed
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G
Ssamzie
This four-storey complex built around a courtyard is a popular stop for one-off clothing, accessories or household goods. A bag that looks like a shirt or a shirt that looks like a bag – that’s the sort of thing you can find here. Impulse shoppers who usually regret their purchases should keep well away.
reviewed
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Shinsegae Department Store
Wrap yourself in luxury inside Shinsegae Department Store. Down in the basement is the opulent supermarket (the cakes are works of art) with one food court, while another is up on the 11th floor together with Starbucks and a garden with seats to relax in after footslogging around the market below.
reviewed
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H
Lotte department store
Experience the country's department-store culture of saturating the floor with sales assistants and free food samples. All stores have ready-to-eat food and some Western goods. Lotte department store is the biggest; there's also a smaller version outside Myeongnyun-dong station, Exit 1, on Line 1.
reviewed
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I
Gwangjang Market
This rabbit warren of a market has been frozen in time: everything is still traditional and unmodernised. Look out for the food stalls with workers grinding mung beans – they sell crispy, thick bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake) for W4000 that are big enough to be shared by two.
reviewed
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J
Shinsegae department store
Brand-name outlets rub shoulders here in a gleaming, luxury ambience. There's a Starbucks, the favourite haunt of doenjangnyeo (a derogatory term for young women who only care about style and fashion). Next to it is an art gallery (admission free) with changing exhibitions.
reviewed
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K
Dynasty Tailor
Dynasty has a good reputation, and its suits are all handmade in the traditional way by expert tailors just a few doors down from the shop. Ask to see the workshop to learn about how the suits are made. Pure wool suits cost W250,000 to W300,000 and take about three days to make.
reviewed
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Hyundai department store
Experience the country's department-store culture of saturating the floor with sales assistants and free food samples. All stores have ready-to-eat food and some Western goods. Hyundai department store is slightly down-market compared to Lotte, which usually means lower prices.
reviewed
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L
Andre Kim
Haute couture from Korea’s number-one eccentric, celebrity fashion designer doesn’t come cheap, especially when it’s tailor-made. This shop is full of the ageless Andre Kim’s trademark flamboyant and extravagant dresses and gowns amongst the white statuary.
reviewed
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M
Choi Jung-in
Handmade designer shoes for women are sold here in a hard-to-find op-shop setting that deliberately has no sign – look for a black flag. The largest size is usually 38½ but shoes can be custom made by the shop’s four master craftsmen. High heels are the speciality.
reviewed
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N
Art Street
This is Gwangju's answer to Seoul's Insadong with art galleries, a woodcarver's studio, a leather workshop, teashops, and stores selling hanbok, hanji (handmade paper), art books, ethnic jewellery, calligraphy brushes, tea sets and dolls.
reviewed
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O
Daily Projects
Come here for new ideas from young local designers bursting with ideas and talent. You never know what you might come across – sunglasses with eyebrows, belts that tell the time… Who knows? Find out by visiting this ahead-of-the-game fashion store.
reviewed
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P
Papaya
Papaya, run by an artist and fashion designer, has survived in the fickle fashion industry for over 12 years, with a classical and sophisticated but still up-to-date sense of style. The shop crams an entire museum of artefacts into a tiny space.
reviewed
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Q
Home Plus department store
Has a multiscreen movie theatre, 10-pin bowling lanes, health club (you only need to bring running shoes) and a decent supermarket. Line 3 to Sports Complex station, Exit 11. At street level follow the sidewalk and turn left at the first lane.
reviewed
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R
Doota Mall
Doota Mall is a leading fashion icon full to the brim with domestic brands. Besides floors dedicated to adult clothing, it has a floor of accessory shops, a bag and shoes floor, a children’s floor, a brand-name floor and a food-court floor.
reviewed
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Sogong
Stores in this upmarket underground arcade sell ginseng, stationery, antiques, handicrafts, clothing and accessories. The arcade joins up with Myeong-dong Underground Arcade, so you could go subterranean shopping for weeks.
reviewed
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S
Napkin
A new concept in hairdressing, with a whimsical garden fantasy decor and ideas about ‘cross-cultural communication that could lead to interesting conversations’. Staff speak English, and beauty treatments are available.
reviewed
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T
Donghwa Duty-Free Shop
This extensive shop is packed with the usual duty-free brand-name goods that you can buy at the airport. You need to take your passport and tickets, but shopping here can avoid a rushed, last-minute shop at the airport.
reviewed
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Migliore Mall
Always teeming with young trendsetters, this iconic, high-rise Myeong-dong mall is packed with small fashion shops. There’s a food court on the 7th floor and an outdoor performance stage by the entrance to boot.
reviewed