Welcome to
South Korea

Shopping in Korea

The Essentials

Need daily life essentials for your dorm room? Below are some places to check out!

E-Mart 

E-Mart is a large supermarket similar to Walmart or Target. About a 20-minute walk or 15-minute bus or subway ride from Gonzaga Hall, E-Mart will have pillows, blankets and bedding, toiletries, and anything you might need for your apartment. It is located at Exit 7, Gongdeok station.

Directions:
173 Singongdeok-dong Mapo-gu Seoul
서울 마포구 백범로 212 대우 월드마크마포
https://naver.me/GWJ9knT8

HomePlus 

HomePlus is another large supermarket and home goods store. It is about 20 minutes from Gonzaga Hall. You can ride Line 6 three stops from Daeheung station and get off at Hapjeong station. Exit from exit 9 to get to Homeplus. 

Directions:
Homeplus Hapjeong Branch
490 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu Seoul                                                                                  서울 마포구 양화로 45 메세나폴리스
https://naver.me/5ZjcLzBb 

Daiso

Daiso is a dollar-store brand. They will have toiletries, dorm supplies, and school supplies at a cheaper price. There are two Daiso locations within walking distance of Sogang. The Daiso Ehwa branch is next to exit 4, Ehwa station. The Daiso Sinchon branch is next to exit 8, Sinchon station.

Directions: 
Daiso Ewha Womans Univ. Station Branch
45-8 Daehyeon-dong Seodaemun-gu Seoul                                                               서울 서대문구 신촌로 183
https://naver.me/GsPMEccF

Daiso Sinchon Main Branch
31-11 Nogosan-dong Mapo-gu Seoul                                                                               서울 마포구 신촌로 90 신촌역
https://naver.me/5Ti7Fh1P 

Other emergency essentials like toothpaste, soap, and toilet paper can be purchased from Sogang's Gonzaga Hall at GS25!

Souvenirs 

Souvenir shopping in Korea is so much fun and there are many different options! If you would like to buy some traditional souvenirs containing Korean art or traditional Korean crafts, the best place to go is the old arts district of Insadong. The long Insadong shopping street can be accessed by Anguk station exit 6- go straight and the street will be on your left! 

Two notable shopping malls and cultural spaces in Insadong are Annyeong Insadong and Ssamzigil. Ssamzigil is the old famous shopping mall and cultural spaces with pop-up stores, notable because of it's spiral shape and lack of stairs between the floors! Annyeong Insadong is a new mall and cultural space to showcase new Korean brands, pop-up stores, cafes, and famous brands such as LINE friends and YG PLACE. 

Directions:
Ssamziegil
38 Gwanhun-dong Jongno-gu Seoul                                                                             서울 종로구 인사동길 44 쌈지길
https://naver.me/xvtZJlRe

Annyeong Insadong
155-2 Gwanhun-dong Jongno-gu Seoul                                                                        서울 종로구 인사동길 49
https://naver.me/56abGMbH

An honorable mention for souvenir shopping is Namdaemun Market! One of the largest and oldest markets in Seoul, Namdaemun market began in the Joseon dynasty period. Now it is a great place to shop for souvenirs while snacking on some street food. Explore some small market alleys and streets for hidden gems!

Namdaemun Market
21 Jung-gu Seoul                                                                                                                  서울 중구 남대문시장4길 21
https://naver.me/GdikBhcI 

Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories

Korea is a great place for clothes, shoes, and accessory shopping! Below are some great neighborhoods and locations for shopping:

• Myeongdong: Myeongdong has everything: clothes, accessories, makeup, snacks, and even souvenirs! Check out cute stores where you can design your own bag with hundreds of different patches, or stores where you can choose beads for your own customized bracelet!
• Hongdae: Hongdae is a great place for clothes street shopping! There are also plenty of makeup and accessory stores too. Many clothes stores only come in "one size" or smaller size options, so for a great inclusive size store option check out Romi Story, and for a plus-size store 09WOMEN (both carry up to US size 20-24 in-store). 
• Seongsu: Seoungsu has some great vintage and secondhand clothing stores along with trendier Korean brands and some flagship stores.
• Garosugil: Garosugil is a higher-end shopping street with Western brands, flagship stores, and high-end Korean brands. It is also just a great street to walk down, grab a coffee, and people-watch! 
• Coex Mall: Maze-like mall with an aquarium, movie theater, and other attractions. Lots of Western and Korean chain stores.
• Times Square Mall: Korean and Western brands as well as a basement shopping center. 
• The Hyundai Department Store: High-end department store with beautiful interior! On a rainy day in Seoul, this is a fun getaway. Try going to the 5th Floor (Sounds Forest) to check out fun pop-up stores, exhibitions (sometimes free, sometimes paid), and seasonal markets. 
• Dongmyo Flea Market: An outdoor flea market with lots of vintage clothes, secondhand stores, and other options. Make sure to search and price compare before you buy! It may take some effort, but you can find some hidden gems here.
• Gwangjang Market Vintage Store: A little hard to find, but go up to the second floor of the market (follow the 수입구제) signs to check out vintage stalls carrying goods from the US, Japan, and other foreign imported goods.