🛍️Shopping in Korea: Myeongdong vs Dongdaemun vs Hongdae (and More!)

Planning a shopping trip in Korea? Whether you're after trendy clothes, skincare bargains, or local fashion brands, Seoul offers a shopping experience like no other. Let’s explore the top areas — from the tourist-packed streets of Myeongdong to the rising cool vibes of Seongsu. We’ll also look at what foreign visitors love buying — backed by recent data. 🧾

📊 1. Top 5 Shopping Items Foreigners Buy in Korea

According to Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) data in 2024:

Cosmetics & Skincare (sheet masks, serums, cushion foundations)
K-fashion clothing (trendy but affordable)
K-pop merchandise (albums, lightsticks, posters)
Health supplements (red ginseng, probiotics)
Stationery & gifts (cute socks, notebooks, character goods)

💡 Fun fact: 7 out of 10 foreign travelers said shopping was their favorite activity in Korea! Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian tourists were the top spenders in Myeongdong and Dongdaemun.

🏬 2. Myeongdong: Cosmetics Paradise

Myeongdong is Seoul’s most iconic shopping district. You’ll find endless cosmetic brands like Innisfree, Etude House, Olive Young, and more — all with tourist-friendly tax refunds. Expect English-speaking staff, freebies, and busy crowds!

Korean Phrase:
얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) → How much is it?
할인 있어요? (harin isseoyo?) → Is there a discount?

🧥 3. Dongdaemun: Fashion Wholesale & Bargain Heaven

If you love staying out late and hunting for fashion finds, Dongdaemun is your spot. Shopping malls like Doota, Migliore, APM are open till 4 a.m.! It’s great for bulk clothing, local designers, and even fabrics. Tip: Bargaining is okay in some stores!

🎧 4. Hongdae: Youth Culture & Indie Vibes

Hongdae is where Seoul’s youth culture lives. Think street brands, vintage shops, K-pop stores, and one-of-a-kind art goods. Perfect if you love fashion that feels casual and expressive. Don’t miss weekend flea markets or independent designer pop-ups!

🌿 5. Seongsu: Seoul’s Brooklyn

Seongsu is rising fast as the trendiest shopping district in Seoul. Once an industrial zone, it's now full of hip cafés, eco-conscious brands, pop-up galleries, and sneaker studios. Major brands like Nike and Tamburins have flagship stores here. You’ll also find the most Instagrammable retail spaces in the city.

💄 6. What Is Olive Young and Why Do Tourists Love It?

Olive Young is Korea’s top health & beauty store — think Sephora + CVS combined! From sheet masks to collagen sticks and perfume, it has everything beauty-related at great prices. Many branches have English signs and accept global cards.

Common Korean Phrases at Olive Young:
이거 추천해 주세요. (igeo chucheonhae juseyo) → Please recommend something.
샘플 있어요? (saempeul isseoyo?) → Do you have a sample?

💡 7. Did You Know?

💡 In 2023, Olive Young surpassed $2.4 billion in annual sales, with over 1,300 stores nationwide. They also launched a tax-free kiosk system for foreign tourists — making shopping even easier! Plus, Seoul City announced plans to further develop Seongsu as a global shopping landmark by 2026.

🧠 8. Shopping Tips for Travelers

👜 Use global cards like Visa or MasterCard — most stores accept them
📱 Download Naver Map or KakaoMap — they work better than Google Maps in Korea
🧾 Ask for tax refund if your total exceeds 30,000 KRW (~$23 USD)
💬 Learn basic phrases — many shop staff can understand simple English, but Korean helps!

🎓 9. Want to Learn Korean While You Shop?

Whether you're buying skincare in Myeongdong or sneakers in Seongsu, knowing a bit of Korean makes the experience smoother and more fun.

👉 Take a lesson with me on italki — I'll help you master real shopping expressions!