A Shopper’s Guide to Seoul: Exploring Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Lotte Mart, Costco and Daiso
Seoul is a shopper’s paradise, combining traditional markets, sprawling malls, and trendy boutiques that cater to every taste. Whether you’re hunting for luxury brands, K-beauty products, or quirky souvenirs, this city has it all. If you’re planning a shopping trip to Seoul, here’s a guide to some must-visit destinations—along with insider tips to make your experience smoother!
What to shop?
- Facial Product - Olive & Young as you can test all the products. If you are in Busan and have Busan Visit Pass, then you can enjoy free gift when you spend a certain amount.
- Sunglasses - Blue Elephant (all at 49k won and quality is good), Gentle Monster (price start from 250k with a better quality)
- Cap - Emis or Covernat where they have curvy elegant cap.
- Food - HBAF chocolate nuts, OMarket brownie
- Socks - is everywhere in markets and shops. There is no need to bring extra socks.
WHERE TO SHOP?
1. Myeongdong
Highlight: The ultimate K-beauty haven and a shopper’s delight for international and local brands.
What to Expect: Myeongdong is the heart of Seoul’s shopping scene, known for its endless supply of skincare and cosmetic stores. Global brands like Zara and Uniqlo are mixed in with popular Korean shops like Innisfree and Olive Young. This district is also known for its vibrant street food scene. It a place that does not sleep. You can also shop at Nyu nyu on midnight where you get a lot nice and good bargain accessories like bracelet, necklace, earrings socks, hat, bags, sunglasses, cap, hat, and more.
Tip: If you’re shopping for skincare, buy in bulk to take advantage of promotions, free samples and tax rebate. Additionally, go early in the day to avoid the peak crowds, especially on weekends.
2. Hongdae
Highlight: A trendy, youth-driven area offering indie fashion, art, and quirky cafes.
What to Expect: Hongdae, home to Hongik University, is the place for artistic, bohemian vibes. Fashion here is more edgy and experimental compared to the other districts. Alongside boutique clothing stores, you’ll find an eclectic mix of vintage shops and second-hand markets.
For food, they have a variety of barbecue shops. If you are looking for pig intestines, it can easily found here.
Tip: Visit the Free Market on Saturdays, where local artists sell unique crafts, accessories, and artwork. It’s a great place to pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
3. Lotte Mart (Seoul Station)
Highlight: A massive supermarket offering everything from groceries to home goods, great for bulk shopping.
What to Expect: Lotte Mart is a go-to for locals and tourists alike, especially for stocking up on Korean snacks, cosmetics, and souvenirs. The prices are reasonable that the market and straight tax rebate, and the selection is enormous, making it ideal for those who want to take a piece of Korea back home.
Tip: Take advantage of the tax-free shopping for tourists—just bring your passport! It’s also smart to go early to avoid crowds and secure popular products like seaweed, snacks, and instant noodles.
4. Costco (Yangjae or Sangbong)
Highlight: A popular choice for bulk purchases, including imported goods and local favorites at wholesale prices.
What to Expect: If you’re familiar with Costco from back home, expect the same in Seoul but with a Korean twist. You’ll find popular Korean items like tteokbokki kits and bulgogi, alongside familiar international products. Most items are required to buy in bulk, you can skip if you unable to bring a big bulk home. You can share but condition everyone wants that item! In the end, I still prefer to shop at lotte mart instead.
Tip: Be sure to bring your Costco membership card! If you don’t have one, you can sign up at the location. Going during weekdays can help avoid long lines, especially at the food court.
5. Namdaemun Market
Highlight: Seoul’s largest traditional market, a bustling hub for affordable clothing, accessories, and street food.
What to Expect: With hundreds of stalls packed into narrow alleys, Namdaemun Market offers a bit of everything—from kids’ clothes to handicrafts, souvenirs, and electronics. If you’re looking for bargains or unique local goods, this is the place to go. It used to be 24 hours market. After Covid, all the shops closed at 8pm. This is old market where you can get dried fruits like dried apple, dried strawberry, dried guava and of course Korea Red Ginseng they're at competitive price.
Tip: Haggle! It’s expected in most shops. Aim for a discount of around 10-20%. Also, don’t miss trying some of the street food, especially the famous hotteok (sweet Korean pancakes). When you are at Namdaemun, you can also visit Sungnyemun (숭례문; lit. Honoring Propriety Gate), is one of the Eight Gates in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea. The gate formed the original southern boundary of the city during the Joseon period, although the city has since significantly outgrown this boundary.
6. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and Shopping District
Highlight: A night owl’s dream with malls that are open into the early hours of the morning.
What to Expect: Dongdaemun is where you can find wholesale fashion malls like Doota and Migliore, as well as fabric shops and accessories. It’s popular with designers, and you’ll find trendy clothes at good prices. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) also offers a striking architectural experience, perfect for snapping photos. You can also get Free color analysis at b to b there.
Tip: Visit late at night when the crowds thin, and you can get some of the best deals. Keep cash on hand since many smaller vendors don’t accept cards.
While you are there, you can visit have a snap with Heunginjimun is “East Gate” (Dongdaemun) of the wall. The current Heunginjimun was rebuilt in the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Gojong (1869).
7. Daiso: Affordable and Practical Souvenirs
For tourists looking for affordable yet useful items, Daiso is a must-stop. This Japanese chain store offers everything from homeware, stationery, beauty products, and travel accessories, all at incredibly low prices. With multiple locations across Seoul, including popular areas like Myeongdong and Gangnam, it's a convenient stop for budget-friendly shopping.
It is a good bargain and place to get your necessities if you forget to bring.
The well-known 12-storey Daiso in Myeongdong offers a unique shopping experience. However, keep in mind that the space on each floor is smaller than what you'd typically expect from a standard Daiso store.- Most items are priced between 1,000 KRW and 5,000 KRW, making it a budget-friendly place to grab last-minute souvenirs. Definitely cheaper than all the market there. Imagine you can get a Sanrio pen at 1,000 KRW, a shinchan makeup bag at 3,000 KRW
- Check out the seasonal goods section for unique, Korea-themed items like cute K-pop accessories or traditional hanbok-styled bookmarks.
Final Tips for Shopping in Seoul
- Tax-Free Shopping: Many stores in Seoul offer tax refunds for tourists. Spend a minimum of 30,000 KRW at participating shops, and remember to bring your passport. If you cannot refunds on the store, no worry. Keep the resit and do it at airport. But be sure to be early there as you need to queue to scan the resit and claim your cash after you pass the custom.
- Bargaining: Outside of department stores and malls, haggling is common in markets like Namdaemun and Dongdaemun. Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices, especially if you’re buying multiple items.
- Packing Essentials: Bring an extra foldable bag or suitcase to carry your purchases back home, especially if you plan to visit Lotte Mart or Costco.
Seoul’s shopping districts each offer a unique experience, from the traditional markets of Namdaemun to the modern, vibrant energy of Myeongdong and Hongdae. With so much to see and buy, you’re bound to leave with a suitcase full of treasures! Happy shopping!
