Recommended shopping streets in Seoul

Photo credit: Clipart Korea

The main Myeong-dong street, which is connected to Myeongdong Station on Subway Line 4, boasts a long tradition as one of the leading shopping districts of Korea. It is located in downtown Seoul and offers a variety of goods including fashion, beauty and foods, which is the reason why it attracts countless numbers of travelers every year. Subsequently, foreign language services and guides are available for maximum convenience while shopping. In Myeong-dong, street snacks and foods are an element of joy that you cannot miss.

• Address: Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 명동 2가)

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea - Live Studio

This street has a variety of beautiful vintage items of Korea. Every store that sells antiques, calligraphy tools or fans reminds you of a museum in itself. Cultural complexes like 'Ssamzigil' and 'Annyeong Insadong' attract many visitors as they offer the opportunity to encounter not only traditional Korean culture but also a blend of contemporary culture. Scores of people visit the street to purchase nice and cute interior items and wares.

• Address: 62 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 인사동길 62)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza: Fast, easy and chic

Photo credit: Clipart Korea

Located by Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station on Subway Lines 2, 4 and 5, Dongdaemun Design Plaza boasts excellent accessibility and also has a cultural complex designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, so it is widely regarded as a mecca of shopping and an attraction for diverse cultural experiences. Even if you don't happen to shop here, the venue is still worth a visit because of the mystical structures, fantastic nightscape and a variety of exhibits. It is also famous as a filming spot for many Korean dramas such as “My Love from the Star (2013),” “The Producers (2015),” “Misty (2018)' and Vincenzo ”(2021).'

• Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, (서울특별시 중구 을지로 281)

 

Garosu-gil Road: Choice of Trendsetters

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea - Live Studio

The bustling area from Apgujeong-ro 12gil to Dosan-daero 13gil in Gangnam-gu, Seoul is often called 'Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil Road.' The name is known to have stemmed from the street trees, or Garosu in Korean, that stand in a long line along the street. There are a great number of cute select shops and luxury brand stores at which you can enjoy shopping for unique items. Also, the nation's first official Apple store opened in this area, which is why it is widely regarded as a barometer of trends. You can find the street once you come out of Exit 8 of Sinsa Station on Seoul Subway Line 3.

• Address: 23 Garosu-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 가로수길 23)

Recommended shopping streets in Busan

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea - Live Studio

This is the largest seafood market in Busan. If you visit in the early morning, you can watch freshly caught fish and the passion of merchants who buy and sell the fish. Because it is a global seafood market, you can not only purchase a variety of marine products from octopus and squid to clams but also pay a little bit extra to be able to taste the seafood right there in the marketplace. It will definitely be a unique experience for those who wish to fully enjoy the energy of a seaside seafood market.

• Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (부산광역시 중구 자갈치해안로 52)
• Operating hours: 05:00-22:00 (closed every first, third, and fifth Tuesdays)

Seomyeon, the center of Busan, is one of the most bustling areas in the city. It is located where Subway Lines 1 and 2 meet to offer convenient transportation and, naturally, department stores, academies and hospitals have gathered to form a huge commercial district. The underground shopping center near Seomyeon Rotary is a premium shopping center with a long history that offers a variety of clothes, cosmetics and accessories that women will fall in love with at affordable prices.

• Address: 717 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan (부산광역시 부산진구 중앙대로 717)
• Operating hours: 10:00-22:00 (closed every first Tuesday)

Recommended shopping streets on Jeju

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea – Kim Jiho

This market is famous for Jeju’s own specialty products like hallabong and omegi tteok (Jeju-style rice cake) as well as meat noodles, Jeju Gujwa Gwajeul (a kind of traditional snack) and octopus bread. Over the past few years, it has become a one-stop shopping attraction that sells everything from trendy desserts such as Udo peanut ice cream that young people in their 20s and 30s enjoy eating to unique souvenirs like dol hareubang (stone grandpa) goods with fun ideas.

• Address: 20 Gwandeok-ro 14-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 관덕로14길 20)
• Operating hours: 08:00-21:00 (Night market: May- October 19:00-24:00, November-April 18:00-24:00)

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Korea – Lee Bumsu

The unique aspect about a “five-day market,” which is a kind of a traditional Korean market, is that it opens exactly once every five days. Jeju Five-day Folk Market opens on dates that end in 2 or 7, and every time it opens, it does so on a dominating scale. Because it only takes about 10 minutes by car from Jeju Airport, there are many travelers who purchase souvenirs and more here before they wrap up their trip.

• Address: 26 Oiljangseo-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 오일장서길 26)
• Operating hours: 08:00-18:00 (open every 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th)