Myeongdong is one of the shopping Meccas of Asia. During the Korean summer its streets are filled with Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese tourists who bustle into Korea in numbers, stocking up on clothing and brand names. In recent years, Korea has been a growing fashion trendsetter due to the rise of K-pop and the growth of local designers.
The Seoul Summer Sale started on July 1, 2014. The sale runs till July 31, 2014, and shoppers can purchase products and services in department stores, duty free shops, major supermarkets, shopping malls, cosmetic stores, theatres, theme parks and restaurants for discounted prices. You can also get a Seoul Summer Sales Discount Card that can get you a variety of products at reasonable prices and allow you to partake in the special summer events for free! All foreigners are eligible for this card and you can obtain it either online, on your mobile, or in a welcome brochure.
Myeongdong is one of my favorite shopping districts of Seoul. You can find absolutely anything here from shoes to bags to clothes to your much-loved foreign brands. It is located at the heart of Seoul on metro Line 4. You can walk out of exit 6 which will lead you into the beginning of the shopping main street. Be prepared to browse before spending, there is so much to see and buy and it is advised that you look first before you spend. Deals can vary from corner to corner and it is almost guaranteed you will see a better deal on those fabulous pair of shoes a little walk down the drag.
Myeongdong is a great place to shop in Seoul because every brand, big or small, is in a relatively small area that will satisfy all customer needs. Myeongdong has all the high-street names like H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Giordano, and American Apparel. There are also the Korean cosmetic shops and cute little boutiques in every nook and cranny. A recommended Korean store to go to is Aland. It’s a little pricey, but it has unique clothing selections that are once-off buys. In the same building there is also a flea market on the 3rd floor that has awesome vintage buys for $10-$40!
For those who are peckish, there is a wide range of restaurants, street vendors, and coffee shops. A summertime must is eating patbingsu at the Cacao Tree. Patbingsu is an ice-shaven Korean dessert that will surprisingly tantalize your sweet tooth. You can also find Red Mango here, and can order delicious frozen yogurt. Cacao Tree has some of the best Patbingsu in Seoul, it is definitely recommended that you try out this dessert café. Walk straight out of exit 8 and follow the main road until you see the café sign on the right hand side.
Another notorious must-try is Gyeoja Mandu Restaurant. This little restaurant is on a high demand, and there is always a cue outside the front door. Mandu is Korean dumplings that can be served either with vegetables or beef inside. A must try is Kal-guk-su, it is delicious and worth the short wait. Kal-guk-su is hand rolled noodle soup with an array of spring onions and minced beef on top. Walk straight out of exit 8, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil road, then go straight about 280m and arrive at Gyeoja Mandu restaurant on the left. If you cannot find it ask any Korean around you, it is a pretty famous restaurant and someone should be able to help you allocate it.
So if shopping is your thing Myeongdong is the place to go. You will get lost in a sea-of-clothes, an array of nail polish selections and plenty of shoe bazaars. For those of you living in Korea make your way to the Seoul Summer Sale! It is totally worth it and you can get a lot of good deals for unbelievable prices that will keep you questioning the clerk until you reach the counter and confirm an awesome reality!
It is no surprise that Tijana Huysamen, a South African born Capetownian, avid traveler and travel journalist, fell in love with South Korea and its people. After Tijana arrived in South Korea in 2010, she had the opportunity to live in the heart of the Korean countryside. During her time spent in Chungnam province she learned to speak Korean, prepare Korean food and experience the humble nature of the countryside people. After a year break in New York, Tijana jumped at the opportunity to return to Korea again, and is currently working at the CDI Jamsil Branch, in Jamsil, Seoul. Read Tijana’s Aclipse blog to gain a unique perspective on Korea and her shared experiences and adventures both in a major city and in the countryside. Follow Tijana on Twitter @TeeAnni or email tijanahuysamen120@hotmail.com to request more information on teaching in Korea!