Seoul is one great big mega-plex of shopping and more shopping until you cannot possibly shop anymore. Excellent and reasonable prices can be found in several locations of Seoul. High quality hand made goods are found on nearly every corner. There are some large shopping areas worth mention. They are Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, and Myeongdong. The economy is strong here and it shows because nearly everyone is buying, eating, partying, taking in a movie, or renting something. Shopping areas are crowded always. Be prepared for large and massive crowds. Usually people including most tourists are polite, but there can be some pushing and shoving at times in and around the major shopping areas. It is not the type of pushing and shoving you would expect in a night club or rock concert, but it is annoying at times.

Click play to see Myeongdong, the center of Korean fashion, and shopping for clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics. Additionally, you can rest from your shopping sprees at cafes, restaurants (both Western and Korean), bars, cinemas and arcades. Get on subway Line 4 at the Myeongdong Exit.

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The Coex Mall

Making purchases in Seoul even if you do not speak Korean can be done easily enough. Many Koreans speak some level of English, and they often use calculators to show you how much a product costs in South Korean Won and US Dollars. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished when two people want the same thing regardless of language barriers. Please note however that learning some level of Korean would be polite, and helpful. Nonetheless, getting around, making purchases, and basic interaction is fairly easy in crowded shopping areas.

Dongdaemun / Namdaemun / Myeongdong
These are open markets that are a shopper's haven. You can buy clothing, acessories, games, etc. Namdaemun is downtown near Seoul Station (Stop 426) on Line 4 and Dongdaemun is Stop #421 on Subway Line 4. Myeong-dong is Stop #424 on Line 4.

Hot Tip

If you are coming to Seoul, bring some deodorant. It is nearly impossible to find in Seoul during the winter months. If you have military ID, cool. You're in luck as you can go onto the military installations and buy whatever you want, but not everyone has that option. If and when you do find deodorant be prepared to pay anywhere from $7.00 to $12.00 USD for a small bottle of roll on type deodorant product. Try Itaewon or Toda Cosa. Forget about dashing into the 7-11 Stores that Seoul has, and also forget about dashing into the Wal-Mart Stores in search of deodorant here in Seoul. Guess what? That's right they don't even know what it is! Some stores carry deodorant in the summer months only. Save Zone is one example.

Busan (Pusan) Shopping

Jagalchi

You can find just about anything in Busan from deodorant (even in the winter!), to clothes that fit, to traditional Korean souvenirs. Services include dry-cleaning, hair salons, restaurants, hofs (restaurant-style bars), repair, alterations and more.

The following are markets in Busan:

The International Market (Gukje Shijang) - This market is one of the largest, if not the largest, market in Korea. You can find alley after alley of clothing. They sell everything. Literally. You can find electronics, lighting, camera equipment, cell phones, gift shops, traditional Korean gifts and souvenirs, clothes, shoes, military surplus, cooking utensils, housewares, jewelry, music, stationery, etc., etc. Get off at Nampo-Dong on the subway. If the weather is too hot or cold, there is also an extensive underground shopping arcade, for even more things you may need, including a used-CD Western music store. Click here for a map of Gukje (International) Market. Gukje Market Info Center is located on the 2nd floor Sinchang-dong, Pusan Bank, 1st Street Shinchang-dong, Jungu, Busan. Their phone number is (82) 051-241-4942~4. Their e-mail address is gukje@kotis.net. They provide internet service, info on events, translation and product information.

Jagalchi

Choryang (Shanghai Street, The Russian District) - Here is where you can find all the Western-sized clothing, underwear and shoes. You can find a jacket of your favorite American sports team. There are lingerie shops which sell lingerie - of course - but also perfume, cologne, and DEODORANT. They are not the weak Korean brands that last only a few hours, but the good Western brands. Stock up, because it is nearly impossible to find anywhere else in Korea - and at only $5-$8 a stick. The shop owners all over Choryang speak English and Russian, and they take dollars or won. In Choryang you can also find CDs, movies, tapes, international phone services, and tourist information. There are also many prostitutes and massage services, as well as illicit items, so stay out of there during the wee hours. Get off at the Choryang stop on the subway.

Jagalchi - This is the local fish market, but there is way more than fish; that's why it is always crowded. You can find Western-style food, military surplus and Western movies, CDs and media. There is a movie theater featuring Korean and Western movies. They sell inexpensive clothing as well. There is an Outback Steakhouse and an Italian restaurant, plus other restaurants with good atmosphere. Great place to hang out for an afternoon. Get off at the Jagalchi stop on the subway.

Seomyeon- The younger crowd of 20- and 30-somethings hang out in Seomyeon. Here there are Western restaurants, cell phones and services, clothing, and accessories. Seomyeon is especially crowded as it is the only transfer point on the subway and many bus routes use it as a stop. It is definitely worth a look for a place to hang out at night or to do some shopping during the day.

Busan Electronics Products General Market - If you couldn't find enough electronics elswhere in Busan, this is the place to come. They sell TVs, refridgerators, rice-cookers, washing machines, etc. They have especially lower prices than elsewhere.