Popular Markets in Seoul: Areas to Buy Cheap to Luxury Items

Shopping in Seoul - Seoul is a fun and complete shopping place. This place presents many goods, including fashion items, accessories, and more. The types of goods sold also vary, and can be adjusted according to the traveller's budget. In this article, we will share recommendations for where to shop according to the price, from cheap items, mid-range items, and luxury shopping in Seoul.

Cheap shopping spots in Seoul and popular shopping districts in South Korea are Myeong-dong. Many tourists flock to this area because Myeong-dong is famous for its popular cosmetic and skincare products at low prices. More than 1,000 popular Korean brands in Myeong-dong, like Innisfree, Mediheal, Etude House, and Nature Republic.

Apart from beauty and skincare products, in Myeong-dong you can also find many fashion accessories, clothing, and street food shops. Being in this area, you must try hotteok, tteokbokki, and other Korean food. Myeong-dong is also home to various calligraphy, traditional handicrafts, and folk art. This place is a paradise for tourists who like shopping in Seoul.

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Address: 1-5, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in South Korea that sells goods and food at a cheap price. Namdaemun Market is the best shopping place for limited budget tourists. In this place, you can find sellers of clothes, tools, accessories, gifts, and food. Even though it's a traditional market, the place is quite Instagrammable, you can take pictures at several spots at Namdaemun Market.

A few tips if you want to shop at this place, it's best to bring cash because most sellers don't accept credit cards. Make sure you are not separated from your group, because this market is very crowded. At the end of shopping, you can visit the stalls at Namdaemun Market and taste delicious Korean food. Some of the recommended foods are sannakji, mandu, and eomuk.

Address: Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 9AM - 5.30 PM

There are many choices of goods that you can find at Dongdaemun Market, starting from traditional Korean handicrafts branded fashion. You can also find south Korean souvenirs, accessories, and the latest trendy clothes.

Dongdaemun is very wide, so you have to plan to find the shop you want before coming to this place. Dongdaemun Market is one of the largest markets in Seoul with 26 shopping centres, 30,000 shops, and 50,000 manufacturers.

Apart from selling fashion items, in this area many street foods sell delicious snacks, like tteokbokki, pancakes, kimchi, and many more. Also, if you are Kpop fans, you can easily find shops that sell Kpop merchandise. You can stay at Hostel Metro more comfortably because it is near Dongdaemun market.

Price range: KRW 5,000 to KRW 50,000 / SGD 6 to SGD 60

Address: 272 Jong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 8AM - 7PM

Ewha Womans University Fashion Street, often referred to simply as Ewha Fashion Street, is a lively stretch of shops and boutiques catering primarily to young women. Situated near one of South Korea's most prestigious universities for women, the area reflects the latest trends in Korean fashion. You'll find a wide variety of clothing, accessories, shoes, and cosmetics, all geared towards a youthful and fashionable clientele.

The shops range from small independent boutiques to larger retail stores, each offering its own unique style and selection. The fashion here is often characterised by a blend of Korean street style with international influences, making it a hotspot for both locals and international visitors seeking trendy yet affordable clothing options.

Address: Ewha Womans Univ. Station

Opening Hours: Vary according to shops.

Insadong is a historic district nestled in the heart of Seoul, known for its preservation of traditional Korean culture amidst the city’s modern hustle and bustle. The main street, Insadong-gil, is lined with art galleries, antique shops, traditional tea houses (hanok cafes), and restaurants serving authentic Korean cuisine. The area is characterised by its charming blend of old and new, where ancient alleyways lead to modern galleries showcasing contemporary Korean art.

Visitors to Insadong can explore a wide array of traditional Korean handicrafts such as pottery, calligraphy supplies, handmade paper (hanji), and souvenirs like Korean fans and masks. The district is also famous for its street performers and cultural festivals that celebrate Korean heritage, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Address: Insadong Culture Street, Insa-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: Vary according to shops.

Gangnam Underground Shopping Center is conveniently located in the Gangnam area and connected to a subway station. Gangnam Underground Shopping Centre has more than 210 fashion and accessory shops.

The shops in this shopping centre sell various types of goods, such as clothing, shoes, women's fashion, bags, and beauty products from Korean brands, such as MixxMix, Chuu, and Stylenanda. A few tips if you shop at the Gangnam Underground Shopping Center, it's best to bring cash because you might get cheaper prices with cash compared to a credit card.

Address: Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: Vary according to shops.

COEX Mall is a shopping centre in Seoul that you must visit when on vacation in this country. The location of COEX Mall is in the centre of Gangnam. Visiting this mall, you will get a luxury shopping experience. You can find Korean designer clothing and accessories from brands like Big Park, KwakHyunJoo, and Kimseoryong.

Apart from Korean brands, you can also find other brands, from Uniqlo, H&M, Zara, SLP Jeans, to branded brands, like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

The range of outlets at COEX is extensive, you can get aquarium entertainment with 40 species of marine life and an indoor ice rink in this mall. There is also a cinema with an IMAX theatre, then you can find various restaurants with delicious cuisine.

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 10.30 AM - 10.00PM

For those of you who like Seoul shopping Korean fashion, Garosu-gil is the right place to shop. You can find lots of fashion boutiques, independent designers, and Korean designer brands, like Oushbutton, O!Oi, and 87MM. You can also find branded clothes, like Chanel and Gucci or streetwear brands like Vetements and Y/Project.

Garosu-gil is located south of Apgujeong Shopping Street which is a must visit for shopaholics and fashionistas. In this place there is also an art gallery featuring modern works by local artists. You can also sample popular Korean snacks, like bindaetteok and Gyeranppang or buy traditional South Korean souvenirs.

Price range: KRW 50,000 to KRW 300,000 / SGD 60 to SGD 360

Address: Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Dongdaemun is a major shopping district renowned for its round-the-clock fashion market. Dongdaemun Design Plaza houses various mid-range fashion brands, while the surrounding Dongdaemun Shopping Complex offers a vast selection of clothing, accessories, and fabrics at affordable prices, particularly in the evening hours.

Address: Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM

Seoul shopping guide to Hongdae is named after Hongik University, renowned for its arts and design programs, which influences the neighbourhood's artistic vibe and avant-garde atmosphere. Located in Mapo-gu, Hongdae is a hub for students, artists, musicians, and fashion enthusiasts, offering a mix of indie culture, trendy boutiques, live music venues, and street art.

Stroll along Hongdae's pedestrian-friendly streets lined with cafes and boutiques, where you'll often encounter talented street performers showcasing their skills. Live music venues like Club FF and Gogos 2 draw crowds with diverse genres from indie rock to electronic music.

Visiting Cheongdamdong Luxury Shopping Street, you will immediately be greeted with luxury branded shops. The shops in Cheongdamdong start from the Galleria Department Store at Rodeo Station to Cheongdam-dong Junction along the main road, Apgujeong-ro.

Celebrities often visit this place to tourists who like fashion. Some luxury brand fashion stores you can find on Cheongdamdong Luxury Shopping Street are Saint Laurent, Burberry, Prada, Dior, MIU MIU, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dolce Gabbana, and many more. Also, you will find high end Korean designer brands, like Wooyoungmi and Blindness.

Apgujeong is located in Seoul, which is a luxury shopping district known for its designer stores, high-end boutiques, and branded fashions. You can get a pleasant shopping experience because you can find fashion to luxury jewellery easily.

Some fashion brands in Apgujeong are Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. For the Korean designer brands that you can find in Apgujeong are Munsoo Kwon and Kye.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street often holds a number of interesting events, such as music festivals, art exhibitions, fashion shows and several other events.

Galleria Department Store is a luxury shopping centre in Korea that has been around since the 70s. This place is the main shopping destination for premium goods in South Korea. This department store owned by Hanwha Group has many branches throughout Korea, namely Luxury Hall West, Luxury Hall East, Apgujeong, and others.

You can find many high-end brands in this place, like Dior, Givenchy, and Fendy. Also, you can easily find luxury Korean designer brands, like The Centaur and Beyond Closet. For those of you who have more budget during holidays in South Korea, the Galleria Department Store is a must-visit.

Price range: KRW 300,000 and above / SGD 360 and above

Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong is a prominent destination for luxury shopping in central Seoul. It houses luxury fashion brands, high-end cosmetics counters, and a duty-free section catering to international travellers. The store's convenient location makes it a popular choice among tourists and locals alike.

Each Hyundai Department Store branch is designed to provide a luxurious shopping experience with a focus on high-end fashion, cosmetics, accessories, and lifestyle products. The stores feature well-known international luxury brands as well as popular Korean designer labels. The stores include premium cosmetics counters with a variety of skincare, makeup, and fragrance brands.

There are several Seoul guides for shopping that you must know. Here is the list:

South Korea has slightly different cultural differences than other countries. So, when visiting Korean shopping centres, you should have insight into Korean etiquette so you don't show impolite behaviour. This can also give a good impression for you when dealing directly with local people.

Several shopping places in Korea can be bargained for, such as in seoul markets, boutiques with local goods, and others. So, don't hesitate to haggle when shopping for the cheapest price. Generally, items that can be bargained for are cheap. You can't negotiate on items in malls or luxury brands. To make it easier for you to bargain and negotiate, it's best to learn a few sentences when shopping in Korean.

In Korea there is a tax refund for tourists. This is a system where foreign tourists can receive a refund of domestic tax from purchased goods at tax free stores. You're eligible for a tax refund on goods worth over 30,000 KRW (31.14 SGD) but under 5 million KRW (5,190.7 SGD).

Some shopping places in South Korea have been grouped by type of goods and prices. You can visit Myeong-dong Shopping Street, Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market, COEX Mall, Gangnam Underground Shopping Center, Garosu-gil, Cheongdam-dong Luxury Fashion Street, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and Galleria Department Store.

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What to buy in Korea? You can buy many things in South Korean shopping centres, such as fashion items, accessories, Kpop Stuff, street food, and many more. Every shopping place in South Korea has the best recommendations for visitors to buy. So, if you want to go there and experience Seoul travel in the near future, just remember that you can book hotels, and Flight tickets from Singapore to Seoul on Traveloka!