Let's admit it. Most of us travel to Korea for a few reasons. Sightseeing, food and SHOPPING! Oh, and if you're a K-pop fan, there's also chasing after your beloved oppa/noona!
If you're a bargain hunter, skincare junkie, night owl or just want to shop like the locals do, we have compiled the perfect places for you to shop till you drop in our ultimate guide to shopping in Korea!
(And well, if you're not one for shopping, there are always plenty of cafes to visit :P)
Budget Hunters
1. Bupyeong Underground Shopping Mall
With 1,408 shops operating, it is no surprise that the Bupyeong station underground shopping area is the largest and hottest shopping destination in Korea. You can find almost everything here— clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, and more! This place gets really crowded during the holidays and you can wander around for hours!
PS: Do note that shops here accept cash only.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10AM-10PM)
Address: 7 Bupyeong-daero Jiha, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Line 1 Incheon to Bupyeong Station
2. Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping
The Express Bus Terminal shopping section is about half the size of Bupyeong (but that's still a massive number of shops). Here, you can find inexpensive clothing and shoes stores and stores selling plants and home furniture. This is a place you cannot miss!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10AM - 10PM) | Closed on every Thursday of the third week of each month
Address: 162 Banpo 4(sa)-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Lines 3/ 7/ 9 to Express Bus Terminal | Head towards Exit 8 and look for the sign ‘Gangnam Express Bus Station Clothing Market’
3. Myeongdong Underground Shopping
If you're looking for socks, shoes, accessories and even K-pop photocards, head down to Myeongdong Underground Shopping! This street is well-known for their cheap goods. There are also shops selling albums and even latest releases that you can cop (some of them come with the pre-order exclusives too). Since pricing is quite competitive here, you'll definitely be able to grab some K-Pop merchandise for cheap!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (9AM - 11PM)
Address: 162 Banpo 4(sa)-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Take the Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station. After that, you go out of Exit 6 by stairs or Exit 7 via the escalator. Both exits give you access to Myeongdong main shopping street directly. Then, head to the end of the street and turn left. There should be a sign 'Myeong-dong Underground Shopping Centre'.
Night Owls
1. Dongdaemun Retail & Wholesale
The retail malls at Dongdaemun are open in the day while the wholesale section opens at night and closes the next day, in the morning.
The wholesale market is great if you are shopping with a group of friends because shops usually sell their products at a cheaper price if you buy multiple pieces. Also, remember to prepare enough cash!
Opening Hours:
- Pyeonghwa Fashion Town (Retail & Wholesale): Mon-Sun (9PM - 6PM (next day))
- Doota (Retail): Sun-Thurs (10.30AM - 12AM) | Fri-Sat (10.30AM - 5AM)
- Migliore (Retail): Tues-Sun (11AM - 5AM)
*Closed on Mondays: U:US (Wholesale) - Sun-Fri (8PM - 6AM)
*Closed on Saturdays: Designer Club (Wholesale) - Mon-Sun (8PM - 8AM (next day))
Address: 253, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to get there:
- Wholesale - Subway Line 2 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station (Exit 2 or 14)
- Retail - Subway Lines 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun station (Exit 8) | Subway Line 2 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station (Exit 14)
Luxury
1. Garosu-gil (Gangnam)
Garosu-gil - the shopping haven of Seoul. Think Soho, with lots of unique boutiques. Garosu-gil is lined with stylish shopfronts, ateliers, art galleries and hipster cafés that are sure to win your heart over! They also house Etude House Color Factory, which is one of the two flagship stores found in Seoul!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10AM - 12AM)
Address: 667-13 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Line 3 to Sinsa Station (Exit 8) | Walk straight for three blocks (approximately 250m) and turn left onto Garosu-gil
2. Cheongdam-dong Fashion Street
Prada, Cartier, Burberry, Louis Vuitton are just some of the renowned brands that you can find on Cheongdam-dong Fashion Street. This street is known to be the Champs Elysées of Asia! Do also check out the Galleria Department Store, the most popular luxury brand fashion mall in Seoul.
Looking for world-famous fashion labels? Head straight to the West section of the departmental store :)
Opening Hours:
- Galleria Department Store: Mon-Sun (10.30AM - 8PM)
*Varies between stores
Address: Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul-si
How to get there:
- Subway Line 3 to Apgujeong Station (Exit 2) OR
- Subway Line 7 to Cheongdam Station (Exit 8) | Cheongdamdong street is a 10 mins walk from both stations
3. Munjeongdong - Rodeo Street
Munjeongdong has over 200 stores and it is the largest outlet shopping centre in Korea. You'll find products from major international brands at amazing prices and get your credit cards ready because you can expect to enjoy a 30%-70% discount!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10AM - 9.30PM)
Address: 10 Dongnam-ro 4-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
How to get there: Subway Line 8 to Munjeong Station (Exit 1) | 5 mins. walk from Exit 1
4. Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Credit: @tvbbcakes on Instagram
Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong are in the same vicinity so you may want to cover both places on the same day! Although Apgujeong is also a high-end shopping destination, there are tons of shops that sell affordable and trendy clothes. Somewhat similar to Garo-sugil, Apgujeong is a popular hangout spot for many youngsters.
If you're looking for the big brand names, they have Cartier and Gucci who have their own buildings lining the streets.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (11AM - 3AM)
Address: 65, Eonju-ro 172-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
How to get there: Seoul Subway Line 3 to Apgujeong Station (Exit 2)
5. Seongsu-dong (Gangnam)
Credit: @tvbbcakes on Instagram
Aptly named the Brooklyn of Seoul, this place features a ton of high-end streetwear and other high-end goods such as perfume like Le Labo. The Amore Pacific Show Room is one of the major attractions where you can try a lot of their products for free! You can purchase it too if you would like. The area has many famous street art as well from Pow! Wow! There is also a street filled with branded and affordable shoes as well as cobblers who have perfected their craft for generations. Many celebrities seek them out for shoe-related needs too!
Pre-loved/Flea Markets
1. Seoul Folk Flea Market
Seoul Folk Flea Market is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs! An established flea market that sells all things traditional, you'll find all types of traditional Korean crafts. Definitely the best souvenir to remember your trip!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10AM - 7PM)
Address: 109-5 Sinseol-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Line 1 or 2 to Sinseoldong station (Exit 9)
2. Gwangjang Vintage Market
Even if you're not a vintage junkie, you'll fall in love with the beautiful and affordable vintage pieces! Most products are imported from the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. This is also one of the oldest markets with more than 5000 shops within the whole area. Do note that they only accept cash.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat (10AM - 7PM)
Address: Level 2 of Gwangjang Market
How to get there: Subway Line 1 to Jongono 5-ga Station (Exit 7 & 8)
3. Hongdae Free Market
A unique experience of interacting with artists from all over Korea and appreciating all the crafts and performances! You'll find lots of handmade products and beautiful jewellery too!
Opening Hours: Saturday (1PM - 6PM) | Appears from March to November only
Address: Hongdae Children’s Park
How to get there: Take line 2 to Hongdae Station (Hongik University Station) (Exit 9) | Take the first right and go straight until you come to a T-junction with Hongik University in front of you | Turn right and head straight for about 20 metres and the park is on your right.
College Streets
We highly recommend visiting the areas surrounding the colleges because you'll be sure to find affordable clothes, shoes and bags in line with current fashion trends for both females and males!
1. Daehangno
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (11AM - 12AM (or later))
Address: 79-1, Jongno 5-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to get there: Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station (Exit 4 or Exit 2)
2. Kondae (Konkuk University Area)
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (Opens 24 hours)
Address: 7-3 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Line 2 or 7 to Konkuk University Station (Exit 2)
3. Hongdae (Hongik University Area)
Many shops are surrounding the Hongik University Area. If you're looking for thrift stores or vintage stores selling clothes and shoes, this is the place to go! Many of them are near the Hongik University Station as well. There are also local brands that you can peruse.
If you're looking for K-pop merchandise, withMuu is right next to the station. They sell a variety of goodies from light sticks to albums from both well-known and lesser-known groups! Kakao Friends flagship store is also nearby as well (it's a 10 minute walk).
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (1PM - 10PM (or later))
Address: 25 World cup buk-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Seoul Subway Line 2 to Hongik University Station (Exit 9)
Skincare and Beauty (Check the cruelty kitty link)
1.  Edae (Ewha Women’s University Area)
Innisfree, Face Shop, Etude House, Tony Moly, Holika Holika and more. Name any Korean skincare brand and you'll find it in Edae, minus the crazy crowd that you'll get in Myeongdong! If you’re a fan of Korean female fashion, we think you'll go crazy shopping here too.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (12PM - 9PM)
How to get there: Subway Line 2 to Ewha Women’s University (Exit 2 or 3)
2. Myeongdong
This is the skincare haven you've always dreamed of! You’ll find ALL the Korean skincare brands, and most shops are very generous with free samples! Get your free masks from Myeongdong~ There are several brands that are still available too, such as Innisfree, SAEM, nature Republic and the holy grail Olive Young.
Besides skincare, you'll be able to find something for everyone here, from clothes to bags to all kinds of shoes! The amount of bag designs are pretty impressive and unique and there certainly is a style out there for everyone!
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun (10.30AM - 10PM)
Address: 11-6 Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station (Exit 5, 6, 7, or 8) or Subway Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga Station (Exit 5)
K-Pop Merchandise
1. Buru's Ddeurak (Ttrak of Bloo)
Opened since 1979, you can find a variety of K-Pop merchandise from the newest releases all the way to the oldies. You can find CDs, DVDs, LPs and more. If you want to get into Korean music from way back, this is your best bet! The items here will also be cheaper than other stores. Drop by for a unique K-Pop merchandise shopping experience!
Opening hours: Mon-Sat (10AM - 11PM) | Sun (11AM - 11PM)
Address: 37-1 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: To get to the store, take a train to Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and out of Exit 5. Go straight past a block, turn right and go straight for one block, then turn left. After a minute, you'll see the store on your left (it has a blue roof).
2. Palette
Credit: Rebel 9
Another unique K-pop store that you can visit is Palette! It is a one of a kind K-Pop store that acts as both a megastore and an exhibition space. They showcase interactive exhibitions such as photos and artist showcases. You can also take a photo with your favourite idol at their photobooth. Their store has a large variety of K-Pop merchandise which makes coming to Palette, a worthwhile venture for all K-Pop fans!
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs (10AM - 8PM) | Fri-Sun (10AM - 8.30PM)
Address: Basement, 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
How to get there: Take Line 2 Jamsil Station and exit Gate 4 or Line 8 Jamsil Station and exit Gate 4
Other places:
- Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre
- Hongdae (Hongik University Station)
It's time to pack your bags and go crazy shopping in Korea! Let us know if you have any must-buys or must-visit shopping areas in Seoul in the comments because we're secretly shopaholics too :P And of course, if you're wondering where to try authentic halal Korean food, check out our food guide and list of cafes you must not miss!