Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
Whether it's with traditional items such as hanbok (clothing) or
hanji (handmade paper), or digital gizmos and K-Pop CDs,
chances are slim that you'll leave Seoul empty-handed. Seoul's
teeming markets, electronics emporiums, underground arcades,
upmarket department stores and glitzy malls are all bursting at
the seams with more goodies than Santa's sack.
Always in Fashion
For clothing, shoes, accessories or fabrics you can't beat Dongdaemun Market or Myeong-
such as Etude House, Skin Food and Nature Republic.
Larger sizes in clothes and shoes, souvenir T-shirts, leather jackets and tailor-made cloth-
ing, can be found in Itaewon, where English is widely understood. Outfits by hot local de-
signers such as Lie Sang Bong, Doii Lee and Misung Jung, are best sourced in major de-
partment stores or the boutiques of Myeong-dong, Apgujeong and Cheongdam.
Shirts or blouses made of lightweight, see-through
ramie
(cloth made from pounded
bark) make an unusual fashion gift; the quality is usually high, but as with naturally-dyed
hanbok,
such clothes are pricey.
Antiques & Crafts
Antique-lovers should browse the Dapsmni arcades or Insa-dong, Itaewon and the Seoul
Folk Flea Market where stalls sell antiques, reproductions and collectables. Souvenirs such
as embroidery, patchwork wrapping cloths (
bojagi
), handmade paper
(hanji),
wooden
masks, fans, painted wooden carvings and lacquerware boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl
(
najeon chilgi
) can be found in Insa-dong's craft shops. More expensive items include pale-
green celadon pottery, reproduction Joseon-dynasty furniture and contemporary art from
Seoul's multitude of commercial galleries.
