Seoul Style Safari: Best Shopping Malls And Markets For Your Korean Retail Fix

Beyond striking architecture and cultural landmarks, Seoul takes pride in being the melting pot of global trends, K-pop-esque fashion, and vintage finds. Whether you’re seeking upscale designer stores, cult beauty brands, or boutiques headlining minimalist trends, we promise you’ll be spoilt for choice! In this story, discover the best shopping places in Seoul.

Also, explore our guide to the most overrated spots in Seoul and where to go instead.

What to buy in Seoul

Whether you have an appetite for skincare finds, bold streetwear, Korean calligraphy sets, or some K-pop merchandise, Seoul has you covered. Here are some of our top recommendations on what to shop for in Seoul:

• Along with many memories, carry souvenirs that mirror Seoul’s unique charm. While traditional ceramics and porcelain decor make for fabulous additions to home decor, Hanbok accessories and ‘mother of pearl jewellery’ are timeless keepsakes.
• Join the ‘grocery tourism’ bandwagon and shop Korean snacks such as honey butter chips, ramyeon, instant tteokbokki (rice cakes), gimbap (rice rolls), and Korean tea.
• Pick up K-pop merchandise for yourself and fellow fans you hold dear. In Seoul, there’s no dearth of albums, lightsticks, and idol photo cards inspired by world-famous K-pop icons.
• Check out Korean skincare staples such as sheet masks, snail mucin serums and ampoules, fish treatment essences, and more. A treasure trove for makeup lovers, Seoul also retails highly acclaimed cushion foundations, lip glosses, and multi-tone blushes.

Bling, bougie, and beyond: Shopping places in Seoul cater to all palates

Shopping malls in Seoul

• Lotte World Tower & Mall: Clinching the top spot, undoubtedly, is the Lotte World Tower & Mall. Whether it be Seoul Sky (the tallest observation deck in Korea) or Lotte Duty Free for international shoppers, there’s plenty to reel in the shopper in you. Beyond housing luxury outlets, a colourful aquarium, and movie halls, this mall is directly connected to Lotte World amusement park.

Also, check out this selection of the nine most expensive grocery stores worldwide.

Key attractions: Lotte Museum of Art, Lotte Cinema World Tower, Lotte World Aquarium, London Bagel Museum, and Knotted World.

Address: 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea

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• Times Square Mall: Located in Yeongdeungpo, Times Square Mall is a premier retail centre in Seoul. It is best known for housing the world’s biggest cinema screen, ‘CGV Starium’ (picture 2,000 seats and 12 screens, layered across five floors!) and Asia’s largest shopping atrium. This mall facilitates seamless entertainment and retail therapy, with some stores operating around the clock.

Key attractions: Shinsegae Department Store, Kyobo Book Centre, I Like Dalgi Children’s Theme Park, and Kolon Sporex Luxury Fitness Centre.

Address: 15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea

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• IFC Mall: For upscale retail outlets, smaller crowds, and world-famous culinary chains in a business district setting, IFC Mall takes the cake. If you want to hit up style staple labels like Zara, Banana Republic, and Hollister, trust IFC Mall’s up-to-date and diverse collection to leave you spoilt for choice.

Key attractions: Youngpoong Bookstore and iconic restaurants like The Place and KON THAI. The famous mall Hyundai Seoul is also nearby, just about 300 m away.

Address: 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea

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Starfield COEX Mall

• Want to go shopping in Seoul? Your retail circuit is incomplete without Starfield COEX Mall – Asia’s largest underground shopping mall with over 200 stores and 300 brands. This mall is famous for the social media-famous Starfield Library. The SM tower for K-pop buffs and the COEX Aquarium make this hub a must-visit.

Key attractions: Megabox COEX Cinema, Seven Luck Casino, and underground shopping zones. Just across the mall, pay a visit to the serene Bongeunsa Temple.

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

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• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) & Shopping Complex: For 24/7 fashion wholesale and retail shopping outlets under one roof, turn to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) & Shopping Complex. With DDP night markets retailing chic couture at pocket-friendly rates to world-famous brands, this place commands a visit.

Key attractions: DDP Design Store features curated products from budding and established Korean designers.

Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

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• The Hyundai Seoul: This trendy shopping place in Seoul’s Yeouido mirrors the Gen Z sentiment with futuristic architecture, aesthetic cafés, and popular designer brands. A string of culinary outposts and luxe and airy showrooms promises a pleasant shopping experience.

Key attractions: Youth fashion brands like ADER Error, Kirsh, and Anderson Bell. Also, check out nature-inspired spaces like the Waterfall Garden and Sounds Forest.

Address: 108 Yeoui-daero, The Hyundai Seoul 1F, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Note: Some malls and stores in Seoul, such as Lotte World Mall & Lotte Department Store, Olive Young, and Doota Mall, also offer instant tax refunds at kiosks.

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Top shopping markets and streets in Seoul

• Namdaemun Market: Bustling with fashion apparel, accessories, souvenirs, and street food, it is the largest traditional market in Seoul. Open since the 1400s, this vibrant market is touted for its wholesale shops, some of which are even open 24/7. Also, check out our complete guide to the Namdaemun Market for a Seoul-ful shopping experience.

Address: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

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• Dongdaemun Market: This commercial hub in Seoul’s Jongno District was designated a ‘Special Tourism Zone’ in 2002. Open till the early morning hours, this market is ideal for late-night shoppers, offering a mixed bag of shopping malls and wholesale outlets.

Address: 272 Jong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

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Address: 18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

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• Sinsa-dong: Among the best shopping places in Seoul, Sinsa-dong has designer boutiques, chic cafes, and cosmetic stores.

Address: Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

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• Hongdae Shopping Street: A no-brainer for vintage finds, K-pop merchandise, and a thriving local music scene.

Address: 365-9 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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• Apgujeong Rodeo Street: This glamorous street houses high-end boutiques and luxury brands across the premium Galleria Department Store.

Address: Eonju-ro 172-gil, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

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And lastly, here’s where to buy the best of Korean beauty and skincare

While Korean couture brands and accessories have a global fan base, their skincare and beauty products are second to none. Like most tourists, if you’re planning a self-care and cosmetic haul in ‘the city of soulmates’, here’s where to go:

• Myeongdong Shopping Street is among the best places in Seoul for skincare and make-up, and it houses over 1,000 Korean brands.
• Olive Young (multiple outlets) is the holy grail of K-beauty. In addition to skincare products, you can expect to find world-class makeup tools and self-care supplements here.
• LOHB, Lalavla & Chicor is a health and beauty store you can count on.

Top brands that should be on your radar include COSRX, Beauty of Joseon, Innisfree, Dr.Jart+, Etude House, Peach & Lily, Sulwhasoo, and AMOREPACIFIC.

Best time to shop in Seoul

While it’s always shopping o’clock in Seoul, we recommend a retail run during the peak sale months of June to July and December to February. During this time, shoppers can expect mammoth discounts of up to 70 percent across fashion and skincare. January and February also witness the Korea Grand Sale, where the country revels in deals and discounts on everything from transportation to hotels and shopping to beauty.

Also, check out our K-talk guide with handy phrases for help travelling through Korea.

Insider tips for wholesome shopping hauls

• Most Korean beauty stores offer testers (and some even provide skin analysis machines), so it’s best to research, try, and pick a product that best suits your needs.
• Wholesale markets will likely offer discounts on cash purchases, so always keep some cash handy.
• Google Maps may not work efficiently in Seoul. To easily navigate the city, we recommend downloading local applications such as Naver Map or KakaoMap. For further assistance, check out our handy guide to South Korea’s public transportation system.
• Always check for discounts, deals, and VAT refunds before purchasing. You’ll probably luck out!

(Feature image credit: Uwe Schwarzbach/Flickr)

Related | The Most Beautiful Places To Visit In South Korea

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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