COEX Mall

Located in Samseong-dong, Seoul, COEX Mall covers a total floor area of 119,000 ㎡, making it the largest underground shopping complex in Asia. It is about 14.5 times larger than Olympic Main Stadium. The interior houses about 260 establishments, most of which are shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions popular among young people in their 20s and 30s. One full day is hardly enough time to truly enjoy all the restaurants and entertainment spots the mall has to offer.

Hyundai Department Store and COEX SKM Duty Free shop are also directly connected to COEX Mall. You can compare and shop for affordable non-branded goods as well as high-end luxury goods. Also nestled amidst the myriad shops are the COEX Aquarium, Megabox Cineplex, and the Kimchi Museum - a popular destination among international visitors to enjoy some sightseeing between shopping sprees.

Fashion

Many stores feature unique, eye-catching designs and are crowded with shoppers at all times. There are many casual brands targeting youngsters in their 20s. If you do not have time to shop around, multi-shops offering various brands such as ENTER6 or MILLE21 are recommended and are quite reasonably priced. If luxury brands or high-end goods are more your interest, try Hyundai Department Store or SKM Duty Free shop for an impressive selection of internationally recognized brands. Household accessories and toys When shopping at COEX Mall, you may want to pay special attention to these items. There are more shops specialized in stationery, household accessories, and toys compared to any other shopping mall. Specialty shops like ARTBOX and Barunson are a must. There are also Aniland for animation characters, Puzzle Zone offering a wide range of puzzle products, and Asem Hobby for figurines. As these items feature unique designs, they also make excellent gift ideas. Accessories Low-cost jewelry brands, including Lloyd and Clue, and accessory multi-shops are located in COEX Mall. A very wide range of items is available, including hats, hair bands, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and hairpins. Since many target their products with young shoppers in mind prices are also comparatively lower.   Books and music COEX Mall houses a large bookstore and a record shop. If you want to get some English books on Korea or music albums by the Korean wave stars, you've come to the right place. Take a break from shuffling through shops and come read a book or sample some music at the record shop.   Traditional souvenirs COEX Mall has five Korean souvenir shops, including Dangozae. Items range widely from inexpensive bookmarkers to high-priced celadon porcelain. These shops are frequented by foreign tourists staying at nearby hotels in the market for souvenirs or gifts. A mobile phone accessory or a ceramic cup will not cost more than 10,000 won.   Foods and beverages Nicknamed the “heaven to gourmets,” COEX Mall has a broad selection of restaurants, ranging from well-known family establishments like Marche, Bennigans, T.G.I FRIDAY'S, and Todai to fast food chains including McDonalds, Mr. Pizza, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC. There are also restaurants specialized in spaghetti, omelet rice, and Korean food. There are so many excellent choices that it will be hard picking just one. If choosing just one poses too much of a challenge, Lake Food Court or ASEM Food Court, offer a huge variety of restaurants all clustered together.

Multi-shop
A multi-shop is a store that offers a wide selection of different brands for consumers. Such shops usually import and sell a variety of goods by foreign designers. They fully reflect today's fashion preference for sensational and unique designs. Multi-shops vary widely in size from Boon The Shop, a large multi-shop operated by Shinsegae, to a modest multi-shop on the corner of Rodeo Street.
Cafes and bars
Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong host a considerable number of bars and cafes. In the evening, neon signs light up and the bustling nightlife begins. While Apgujeong has many beer, soju, or cocktail bars that are affordable for young people, Cheongdam-dong is more known for fine dining and posh cafes. Naturally, such embellishments come at a price and are a little higher in Cheongdam-dong. If you have trouble selecting a place, “Once in a Blue Moon,” a jazz bar with a long tradition, or “table 2025,” a cake shop, are recommended.
Saju Cafe
Another joy of shopping in Apgujeong is having your saju read. Meaning “four pillars,”saju is your fortune based on the time, date, month and year of your birth. It is somewhat similar to astrology. At saju cafes, you can have your saju told as a bonus while savoring a nice cup of coffee or tea. Many saju cafes casn be found on Rodeo Street , but foreign language service is not available. You should be able to communicate in Korean or take a Korean-speaking friend.

Luxury goods & used luxury goods
Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong are the number one choice of luxury brand aficionados. You will find nearly every luxury brand either at the Galleria Luxury Hall or along the affluent luxury brand street in Cheongdam-dong. In Apgujeong, there are many shops specialized in used luxury brand items. Stores with signs showing “ 중고명품 ( 中古名品 )” in Korean or Chinese or luxury brand names written in English are readily noticeable. Secondhand luxury brand items such as bags, clothes, shoes, accessories, and wallets are available at
30~60% below regular prices. It may be worthwhile to visit if you are obsessed with luxury brands. Be wary, however, because some items may not be genuine.

Apgujeong is a mecca for shopping among trendsetters in their 20s and 30s. Shortly after Rodeo Street came into being during the 1990s, unique fashion shops, bars, and cafes began to open one by one, drawing young people en masse to come create their own fashion codes. At one point, the area was frequented by children of well-to-do families and perceived as an extravagant shopping district. It has since become more mainstream, filled with practical shoppers. There are many shops specialized in secondhand luxury items. Multi-shops, which purvey various brands, also seem to be gaining popularity.

The neighboring district of Cheongdam-dong offers a list of more luxurious venues for those with thicker wallets. The street is lined with premium brand flagship stores and a sophisticated series of multi-shops. While Apgujeong remains more of a magnet for those in their 20s, Cheongdam-dong appeals to those in their 30s and 40s.

One of the highlights prevalent in both Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong is the availability of unique clothing designs and accessories by various designers that are difficult to find anywhere else. You can buy an original dress by a foreign designer at a multi-shop or enjoy a leisurely shopping experience at Louis Vuitton's flagship store.

Itaewon is the most exotic place in Seoul representing fusion culture with a distinctive atmosphere. Many people say, “You may not know Seoul, but you should know Itaewon,” showing how renowned a shopping district Itaewon is. The Itaewon shopping area covers a 1.4 km long street, stretching from Itaewon 1-dong eastwards to Hannam 2-dong. The area has a vibrant ambience with shops, restaurants, bars and street vendors. Most signboards are written in English, and English speaking people are often seen on the street.

Clothing Clothing shops of hip hop style, casual wear, and formal suits are clustered inItaewon. Unlike other shopping districts, big & tall sizes and exotic clothing are well prepared. Good quality leather goods are abundant, and even personal orders are accepted. Most tailors have been established for fifteen to thirty years.

Bags A variety of bags from suitcases, to casual backpacks are available. ‘Chungnamsanghoe’ is a good shop for suitcases and briefcases, and Samsonite for high quality suitcases. There is a bunch of other shops dealing with leather bags.

Shoes Various options are offered from world-class brands to unique no-name brand goods. Nike and Adidas in Itaewon provide large-sized shoes and many designs. There is also a bunch of leather shoe stores.

Antique Furniture Antique Street in Itaewon is especially popular among non-Koreans. Shops carry small interior items as well as expensive antique furniture. Most antiques are from the Goryo and Joseon Dynasties. Personal orders of reproduced products are accepted. Small antique goods make good gift items.

Section 2 - Wholesale Shops Shopping malls in Section 2 sell goods both in wholesale and retail, but mainly sell in bulk. That is why shopping malls here usually open at about 8 pm and close at 8 am or 5 pm the next day for the convenience of wholesalers. The peak time comes late at night through early morning. Since most shops deal with wholesalers, there are no dressing rooms. Refunds and exchanges are not guaranteed, so make sure to check the quality and size carefully. Major shopping malls in Section 2 are Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon, Gwanghee Fashion Mall, Jeil Pyeonghwa, and Heungin Stardom. Among them, Jeil Pyeonghwa and Heungin Stardom attract customers in their thirties and forties with items of simple and elegant design. Teens and youth in their twenties usually visit Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon and Gwanghee Fashion Mall.

Sporting Goods Near Dongdaemun Market is Dongdaemun Stadium. There is a variety of sporting goods shops around the stadium.

Ever since its opening in 1905, Dongdaemun Market has been one of the major markets in Korea. Specializing in wholesale clothing, the market has grown large, having more than 20 shopping malls. A full range of fashion items that cover head to toe, are found in Dongdaemun Market at inexpensive prices. Just name it and you shall find it! No wonder the market is always crowded with retailers, foreigners, customers and tourists.

Section 1 - Retail Shops
The main street divides Dongdaemun Market into two sections. Section 1 is on the side where Doosan Tower is found, and Section 2 is on the side of Dongdaemun Stadium (see the map below). Huge shopping malls in Section 1 basically sell wholesale and retail goods, but mostly deal with general customers and tourists at retail prices. Thus, they have convenient facilities like money exchanges and information desks with English speaking staff. Opening hours are also aimed at general customers, opening from 10 am to 5 am the next day. With a pleasant interior, and rhythmical music played all day long, shopping malls in Section 1 draw many young people everyday. Various events organized by these shopping malls (7 or 8 pm) are also delightful. Sometimes you will get to see youth come up on the stage in front of the mall, dancing or singing. Major shopping malls are Doosan Tower, Migliore, Freya Town and Hello apM.

Namdaemun Market, located in the very center of Seoul, is the biggest traditional market in Korea selling children's clothing, men & women's clothing, daily miscellaneous goods, kitchenware and local and imported products. Most shops have their own factories and make the products themselves offering both wholesale and retail prices which enable visitors to purchase various shopping items at extremely inexpensive prices. Foreign visitors to Namdaemun Market show different tastes: the Japanese are more into foods like gim (seaweed), gimchi, and ginseng, while the Chinese show interest in clothing and miscellaneous goods. On the other hand, most tourists from the West simply enjoy the ambience of the traditional market. Hours vary by store, so it's advisable to plan in advance according toa shopping list before you start actual shopping.

Myeong-Dong

Located in the heart of Seoul, Myeongdong is a representative shopping district in Korea. It also houses the headquarters of banks and securities brokers, and many Western and traditional restaurants. Compared to Namdaemun and Dongdaemun Market which sell products at low prices, most shops in Myeongdong deal with mid-level price items. The main street in Myeongdong is lined with quality brand name shops, while mid-class brand name shops and no-name brand shops are located in the side alleys. Moreover, large shopping malls like Avatar or Migliore and department stores are present as well. All kinds of shops and restaurants are densely located on the main street with lanes which resemble the shape of a chess board, so it’s advisable to divide Myeongdong into a few sections in your mind and explore each section separately.

Myeongdong Street (A)  Migliore, U-too Zone (Shopping Malls)/ Brand Name Shops (Levi’s, Bean Pole, Geumgang Shoes Store, Elkanto Shoe Store, Esquire Shoe Store, etc.)

Side Alley (B) mid-priced brand name shops (Ssamzie, Club Monaco, Guess) / No-Name Brand Stores/ Trend 20, Myeongdong Uiryu (Shopping Malls)

Side Alley (C) No-Name Brand Shops/Brand Name Shops (Giordano, Jangbangee)/Restaurants/Coffee Houses

Central Street (D) National Souvenir Center / Avatar (Shopping Mall)/banks/fast food restaurants

Chinese street (E) Chinese Embassy/Chinese restaurants/stores for Chinese medicine, books, etc.

Insadong and the surrounding area were the residences of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) officials, extended royal families, and the yangban aristocratic class. 
The antique art shops that were established here during the Japanese Colonial Period carried everyday items of the privileged class as these items became antiques in the face of modernity.

Since then, Insadong has been home to dozens of art galleries and antique shops. Insadong's narrow alleys branch out into all directions from one main street. 

To explore the interesting places on these side alleys, it would be helpful to get a map of Insadong at one of three Tourism Information Centers that are located at the center and the two ends of the main street.

Shopping Tips

1. Korean Sizes
Most sizes are measured in centimeters except for the waist size, which goes by inches. Shoe sizes are measured in millimeters.
→ Korean size chart 

2. Payment Methods
Except for street vendors, most shops follow a fixed price system, and these shops accept international credit cards (VISA, MASTER, etc). If you wish to shop at markets and street vendors, be sure to have cash ready. 

3. Currency Exchange
Most banks have separate booths to exchange foreign currency. The banks are the most convenient places to exchange currencies, and business hours are usually 9:30 a.m. – 16:30 p.m., Mon – Fri. Also, the ‘356 Days Corner’ ATM (English) is usually located next to the banks, which are open from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Most convenience stores also provide 24-hour ATM services. However, using the banks during normal business hours will offer you the cheapest service charge. Note that service charges may vary according to each bank.
Namdaemun Market and Itaewon districts provide their own foreign currency exchange services, and you can find them through the tourist information centers located in the area. 

4. Tax Refund
Shops with “Tax Free Shopping” signs will provide you with duty free shopping and information for your tax refunds. 

5. Refunds
Except department stores and large malls, some stores may not offer refunds for purchased products (especially for sale items), although they do allow customers to exchange items that they bought. 

6. Sale Periods
Duty Free Shops: June – August, December – February
Department Stores: January, April, July, October, and December
Other large shopping malls also go on sale around the same time as the department stores do. Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market, and other major markets usually go on sale around early July and mid-January, and the summer and winter sales offer the most discounts with 20-30% off of the regular items, and more than 50% off of items more than 2 or 3 years old. 

7. Business Hours
Unlike the U.S. or Europe, Korea’s shopping hours are limitless. Most shops open until 10 p.m., and markets like Dongdaemun Market are open 24 hours. Shops are mostly crowded during holidays and weekends except during the New Year holidays and Chuseok during which most shops close to celebrate Korea’s major holidays. Shops in Myeong-dong and Insa-dong are usually open until 10 p.m., whereas Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Market are still open after midnight with shoppers and retailers, giving you a taste of Korea’s late-night shopping culture. 

8. Korean Shopping Phrases
Except for duty-free shops or shops in Itaewon, you may run into communication problems. If you know a few Korean shopping expressions, you’ll find your shopping experience more enjoyable and you may even be able to bargain for lower prices.

• Major Shopping Phrases

Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning
얼마예요?	Eol-ma ye-yo	How much is it?
비싸요.	Bi-ssa-yo	It is expensive.
좀 깎아주세요.	Jom ggak-a-ju-se-yo	Give me a discount, please.
좀 입어봐도(신어봐도) 될까요?	Jom ibeo-bado doel-ka-yo?	Can I try it on?

• Major Shopping Words

옷 Ot	Clothes	티셔츠 T-sheo-cheu	T-Shirt
바지 Ba-ji	Pants	신발 Shin-bal	Shoes
치마 Chi-ma	Skirt	영수증 Yeong-su-jeung	Receipt