Shopping Streets in Seoul, Korea (Namdaemun & Myeongdong)

This is our second time to Seoul, Korea in two years. The first we went on guided tour but this time round, we decided to go free and easy.

Initially I thought it would be hard to go on free and easy. Afterall, I am not familiar with the language and I thought there is hardly any signs or directions in English. But I am so wrong! I guess South Korea has opened up a lot and values the importance of tourism so they have evolved such that it is easy for one to navigate around the country with directions and signages in English.

There are many shopping streets in Seoul. Our first few shopping stops are Namdaemun and Myongdong. Both the shopping street's subways are pretty near to each other.

Namdaemun is one of the oldest traditional street market. There are wholesale stalls there too selling items like clothings, costume jewelleries and kid's clothings. The choices at the wholesale stalls are aplenty and if you buy in bulk, prices are cheaper and can be bargained.

Myongdong is a popular fashion shopping street among many tourists. There are many hotels within the streets of Myongdong too so it is extremely accessible if you stay near the vicinity. 

Cafes and restaurants are abundant in Myongdong too. Besides street stalls selling quirky items, accessories, clothings, street snacks are something you should not miss. 

Cats and dogs cafes are the IN thing now!

There are many types of street snacks such as grilled squid, fruit juices, fried sweet potatoes, churros, friend chicken, ice cream and etc. Most are delish so you need to try. One thing about the street snack stalls, I find them relatively clean compared to those in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The street stalls are set up only in the late noon to early evening. As night falls, the crowd packs the streets.

One can also find lotsa cosmetic shops along the streets of Myongdong. The Face Shop, Missha, Etude House, Laneige, Nature Republic... most of the Korean brands... you name it, they almost have it here. One thing you must get is the peeling foot masks! It's really good.

Namdaemun

Getting there:
Take Subway to Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4), Exit 5

Myongdong

Getting there: 

Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 5, 6, 7, or 8.
Euljiro Il-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 5.