3 Hottest Shopping Spots in Seoul

Shopping is one of the main reasons tourist flock to Seoul. South Koreans are well-known for their amazing sense of fashion and South Korea for its forward beauty industry. If you're into brands and stuff, you'd be visiting malls and specific brand shops. In Seoul, fashion is not only about brands and for anyone looking to buy trendy street wear pieces and affordable cosmetics, there are 3 shopping streets which would be heaven.

1) Myeongdong

This place has countless beauty brands shops. There at least 2 shops for brands such as Innisfree, Tony Moly, Holika holika, Etude House, Nature Republic, Its Skin and more in the shopping area. There are Olive Young Outlets and Aritaum Outlets here and there too. On these streets, there are fashion stores selling clothes, bags and shoes, all trendy and "in" for the current season. Street food here is good and although slightly higher priced than street food in Hong Dae and Ehwa, it is worth the extra you pay because it tastes that slightly much better too. If you're coming by Subway, exit the station via Exits 4 or 6 and you'd be at one of shopping streets. Price of "odeng" here is 1300 won.

2) Hong Dae

The land(street) of Baskers. Street performances are a norm here and you can see talented performers entertaining onlookers. They manage to attract and sustain crowds and you just might have to stop and be a part of the crowd as you walk by. It will be well worth your time. This place also has many beauty and fashion stores like Myeong Dong. Here, you'll find crowds of young adults and students whereas in Myeong Dong, the crowds are mostly made up of tourists and working adults. This is not surprising as this area is close to the university. To get here by Subway, alight at Hongik University Station. There are stalls selling street food and food shops here too. Price of "odeng" here is 1000 won.

3) Ehwa

Shopping here is more straightforward. There is one main shopping street which branches off into a number of tiny lanes filled with shops. The crowd here is smaller compared to Hong Dae and MyeongDong and there are many students too. I did spot some other tourists as well. After visiting all 3 shopping streets, I found that the bags and clothes sold on these streets are similar. There are 1000 won socks sold everywhere. Also, you can find many of the korean cosmetics brand shops at all 3 areas. Myeong Dong and Hong Dae seem to have almost the brands and Ehwa has quite a number. Price of "odeng" at Ehwa is 500-700 won if you cross the street at the subway station exit away from the shopping street. 

If shopping at the above 3 "in" places is not enough to satiate your shopping appetite, worry not. Continue shopping at the Namdaemun Market (day) and the Dongdaemun Market (evening and night). There is more food and fashion to be found here.