myeongdong shopping street

Shopping street in Myeongdong

myeongdong shopping street

Myeongdong Shopping Street in Seoul is a trendy shopping area among locals and international visitors.

I have witnessed how the area changed. It used to be famous among Korean buyers only. But it turned into an international mecca and a must-see for all travelers.

Myeongdong is not only a shopping area (especially for women) to buy clothes, shoes, or facial and beauty products. It is becoming a cultural center displaying Korean traditional products such as spicy dishes, street food, snacks, exotic and healthy food recipes.

Located at the heart of Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street is not only for purchasing fashion products. You can also meet friends, family, or date in a restaurant or cafe with your choice of atmosphere--romantic, casual, formal, and party and lively!

Among other foreign visitors of Myeongdong, Japanese and Chinese travelers come during their holiday period popularly called as "Golden Week."

They call it "Golden Week" due to the long holiday period in Japan and China in the Spring season. This gives them more time to travel and free from the daily office or other daily work.

Aside from the long holiday visitors, I heard that many Japanese come to Myeongdong during weekends to shop, eat, have a massage, go to bathhouses, among other things. The reason being that it is cheaper here to buy or get such services than in their country.

Yes, you can do a lot of things in Myeongdong aside from shopping or eating street food, among other things.

Korean brand facial and cosmetic shop

  Banking & Commerce

As an accessible business and busy area, Myeongdong is a hub for commercial and banking transactions.

You can find most local as well as international banks in various places. If you need to get cash, look for a teller machine or bank at designated areas. (If difficult, ask your hotel's Front Desk on how to locate those can cash machines).

  Shop & Retail Outlets

When you come to shop about anything in Myeongdong, you can easily find smaller shops and outlets. There are department stores but not the mega ones in this area.

Usually, you can get more discounts and sale products. If you are a foreign visitor, you will most probably hear the seller talking to you in your own language.

They are good at spotting buyers and guess their ethnicity and lure you into buying their offers. You'll be surprised by their language skills!

Alright, if you are a fan of Korean brands or other international products, you can almost find them here.

  Shops & Products

Most of the products you can purchase here are locally made Korean products. Of course, items from well-known and famous international companies (such as ZARA, Adidas, Nike, MNG, Forever 21, H&M) are also available.

Myeongdong Korean brands include...

• Eight Seconds, SPAO, WHO.A.U, Bean Pole,  Basic House,  MIXXO, Teenie Weenie,   Stylenanda Pink Hotel, Codes Combine,  TOP TEN, ZIOZIA, TNGT,   Indibrand, and more.

These shops sell casual wear, suits to children clothing, mid-priced casual wear, designer clothes and leather goods, Korean Teddy Bear apparel designs, makeup, and fashion products.

Also, these shops offer best products such as clothing for men and women, accessories and leather goods; casual wear, ladies casual, lingerie to work-wear, chic and trendy women fashion brand.

Within Myeongdong Shopping District, you can also explore the medium-sized shops, including Noon Square, M Plaza, and Migliore Myeongdong.

Cosmetic Products
Korea is one of the fastest producers of cosmetic products, especially for women (some for men). It is surprisingly competing with world products that intensify women's beauty.

The brands include Laneige, Innisfree, Nature Republic, The Face Shop,     Olive Young, MISSHA, ETUDE HOUSE, Belif, Banila co., SKINFOOD, TONY MOLY, The SAEM, Holika Holika, A'PIEU, It's Skin, PRIMERA, Mamonde, Beyond,    Too Cool for School, and VDL.

Aside from the beauty and cosmetics products, you can also purchase sportswear produced by Korean companies...

ABC Mart, Les More, Kumkang, and Folder.

Some expensive Korea-made brand bags and accessories you can shop here include MCM (clutch bags), Lloyd (such as earrings, rings, porcelain, necklace, watches, etc.), MiniGOLD jewelry.

One of Myeongdong's shops that sell local brands

  Restaurants & Street Foods

You can try and enjoy various sorts of Korean street food in Myeongdong. They are mostly lining up in the middle or by the roadside.

They look very tempting to try as they are attracting your sense of smell, and they are steaming hot and spicy.

Restaurants
Aside from Korean restaurants and stalls, you can also try other countries' dishes such as Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Western-style, fusion food, etc.

You will notice that the popular restaurants are always full. Obviously, there is a wait, and you should fall in line for your turn.

hotel accommodation

Close to the shopping streets and along Myeongdong Avenue (near Myeongdong subway station), you can find your comfortable room.

Best hotels in Myeongdong...
Hotel Gracery Seoul
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong II
Hotel Skypark Central Myeongdong
Loisir Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Tmark Grand Hotel Myeongdong

Cheapest hotels and guesthouses...
Seoul Mom Guesthouse
Majung Guesthouse
H2O Guesthouse
Blue Boat Hostel Myeongdong
UH Stay
Namsan Guesthouse

Getting to Myeongdong Shopping District

You can take a subway, ordinary or express bus, and taxi to Myeongdong Shopping District without so much trouble.

For example, you can go straight from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong by taking a bus (Airport Bus No. 6001, 6015).

Whatever means of transportation you prefer, let me provide you more choices (depending on the place of origin).

By Subway
Take Seoul Subway and then get off at Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (Line 2), and then our from Exits 5, 6 & 7.

Also, you can get off at Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), then come out from any exit number: Exits 5, 6, 7 & 8.

By Bus
You can proceed to Euljiro1(il)-ga Station and Lotte Department Bus Stop to get a bus or get off there from the buses with the following numbers:

•  Green Bus: 7017, 7021, 7022
•  Blue Bus: 100, 143, 151, 152, 202, 261, 405, 701, 702A, 702B
•  Express Bus: 1005-1, 1150, 5000, 5005, 7900, 8800, 9000, 9001, 9003, 9007
•  Red Bus: 2500, 9401, 9701, M4101, M4102, M4108, 5115

Myeong-dong Station Bus Stop
At this bus stop, you can pick from any of the following buses with numbers (and colors)...

• Green Bus: 7011
• Blue Bus: 104, 105, 421, 463, 507, 604

• Express Bus: 1005-1, 1150, 5000, 5005, 5007, 5500, 5500-1, 5500-2, 8800, 9000, 9001, 9003, 9007
• Red Bus: M4101, M4102, M4108
• Airport Bus: 6001, 6015

I hope this information is useful in your search and travel.
Have fun!

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