Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
For consumers of contemporary Korean art and design, these five gallery spaces at the MMCA showcase some of the best of what's on offer, from fashion and…
Must-see shopping in Seoul
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Just opened at time of research is this postindustrial shopping mall, art centre and office complex housed in an old factory unit. The open-air roof has a…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Usually shortened to MMMG, this stylish emporium tells a story on every storey, from Swiss brand Freitag on ground level up through to Japanese homewares,…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Selling beautiful traditional-style furniture and decorative pieces for your home, including a variety of lamps with shades made of hanji (handmade paper).
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
The flagship store of this Korean cosmetics brand specialises in organic skin products and essential oils using germinated sprouts.
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Spread over three levels, this multilabel boutique mixes up vintage with new designer men's and women's fashion and homewares.
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Korea isn't a particularly cheap country in which to pick up electronics (even for home-grown brands like Samsung), but this humongous collection of tech…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
There are two close-by branches of this multibrand boutique that’s a byword for chic, high-end fashion. The original, worth a look if only for its…
Seoul
An old market arcade has become a Friday-night and weekend hot spot for browsers in hip Yeonnam-dong. Secondhand clothing, homemade cookies, an overload…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Back in the 1980s there were around 50 eel-leather shops in Itaewon. Now there's just Mr Choe's, which has sold his luxuriously supple handbags, belts,…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
One of the best places in Seoul for traditional crafts is the wholesale handicrafts market in the upper floors of Building C and D at Namdaemun Market,…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
A variety of nicely packaged teas grown at the company’s plantations on Jeju-do (Jeju Island) as well as tea-making implements are on offer here. A cafe…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
As well as the food and fabrics sold here, head upstairs for stalls full of second-hand clothing. There's the usual flannel shirts, vintage dresses, army…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
With brand-name shopping and three floors of eateries, this giant department store sprawls around the major overground Yongsan station. Check out the…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
In a street famous for its antique stores (which originated when departing US soldiers sold their belongings), Ando is one of the most well known. The…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
War, what is it good for? Military surplus shops might be one answer, and this Aladdin's cave is loaded with genuine army uniforms and equipment, some of…
Seoul
Ecofriendly shoes, bags and other goods, some made from recycled products, are sold at this attractive basement store. Look for the wallets and bags made…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The black cat Curo is the superstar character in hundreds of costumes and disguises – everything from Darth Vader to Marilyn Monroe – at this creative…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Chang Eung Bong creates and sources exquisite fabrics used for fashion and soft furnishings, including gorgeous quilts, pillows and contemporary spins on…
Seoul
Although there's a bigger branch of Object in Hongdae, this one is notable for specialising in products that involve some element of re- or up-cycling,…
Nakwon Musical Instruments Arcade
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Want a pink guitar or an orange banjo? Browse the vast variety of musical instruments and equipment of all kinds spread mainly over the 2nd and 3rd floors…
Northern Seoul
Korean-designed youthful clothing and accessories are just a few of the types of colourful goods sold here alongside stationery, kitchenware, candles and…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Paint your own design onto a range of plain pottery pieces for a unique souvenir. A cup costs ₩15,000 but you'll either need to be in Seoul for three…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Itaewon’s best bookshop sells a wide range of English-language fiction and nonfiction with an interesting section on Korean culture. Also stocks current…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The attractive sculpture garden behind the Sejong Center is the location of this spring-to-early-autumn, twice-monthly market, where you can buy a wide…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
On the outer section of Namdaemun Market, this stationery and art supplies store is the largest in Korea and spans five floors. You'll also find toys and…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Best known for designing the uniforms for South Korea's 2012 Olympic team, this Korean fashion brand has several locations across the city, including this…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Chicor carries several high-end makeup brands in one location. Unlike other stores in South Korea, Chicor allows you to try on all its products at large…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
For the art-obsessed, browse the boutique art books and magazines at this tiny unmarked store next door to Millimetre Milligram.
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
A clothing shop in Apgujeong that's not haute couture, this unisex store does affordable and wearable street fashion by mostly K-designers.
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
One for lovers of classical music, this art nouveau–styled CD and DVD shop has an attached cafe where you can sip a free coffee.
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
The multistorey Dongdaemun Shopping Complex has a staggering range of fabrics and trimmings of every conceivable kind.
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Join fashion bargain-hunters as they trawl through 11 floors of clothing, cosmetics and accessories.
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
The men's store of this multibrand boutique features mainly international designer brands.
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Retail behemoth Lotte spreads its tentacles across four buildings: the main department store, Lotte Young Plaza, Lotte Avenue and a duty-free shop. Also…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
One of the more upscale gents' shirt-makers to be found in and around Itaewon-ro. Made-to-measure cotton shirts start from ₩41,000, with two-piece…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Inside Namdaemun Market, look for this shiny building with a jaw-dropping amount of fashion jewellery.
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Always teeming with young shoppers, this high-rise mall is packed with small fashion shops.
