Shopping in Korea

Korea is regarded by the tourists as a shopper’s paradise with loads of merchandise that’s not always cheap but bargains can often be found. With increasing sophistication of the local economy, ties to international markets, and the demand for more and better products, the quality of Korean goods continues to improve.

Popular Korean shopping items include jewelry, ginseng, furs, high quality silk, antique chests, ceramics, lacquer ware, brassware, handicrafts, embroidery and many more unique Korean products.

There are shops ranging from local market grocery sellers, cheap accessory shops to the more expensive multilevel shopping complexes selling international brands and designer products.

Large cities have well-defined shopping districts, known for particular goods like high class boutiques and leading foreign brands clothing shops of Myeoung-dong and antique shops and art supply stores of Insa-dong, in Seoul. These areas are often coupled with entertainment districts. In smaller towns the city centre is the place to shop. Multi level markets, like Dongdaemun Market in Seoul and the International Market in Busan, cover several city blocks. Each town also has a central market and numerous neighborhood markets for the outlying areas where you can find virtually anything from food to machinery, clothes to household goods, jewelry to an eye-catching array of digital products.

Department Stores in Korea are just like their counterparts in other countries having a wide selection of goods, fairly even quality and moderate to high prices. Many have restaurant floors as well. Do not expect bargains here, however, they do hold store wide sales several times a year.

Apart from indoor shopping there are lots of outdoor markets, a ‘must’ for bargain hunters. Although one who doesn’t speak Korean may have a bit of a problem shopping there. Nevertheless, if you have a calculator, then let the numbers do the talking! These Korean outdoor markets may look small, but if you consider how stacked they are, it's actually bigger than meets the eye. The small stalls are quite popular as these sell all kinds of interesting stuffs like key-chains, mobile phone accessories, bookmarks, fridge magnets, postcards, display accessories...with different varieties...something for everyone!

Wholesale and retail markets are found only in large cities. You just can’t stop buying with shops/stores/stalls selling vegetables, fish, herbs, electronics, office supplies, toys, household items, sporting goods, garments, silks, and the list goes on and on….

Super markets have also made their appearance on the Korean scene. Air- conditioned, neatly stacked, priced and clean, these places are essentially the same as any other supermarkets in the world. Convenience stores such as7–11 and Korean knock offs like LG–25, have also popped up everywhere and are usually open round the clock.

Under ground shopping Arcades compete for the limited space in crowded downtown areas. However, don’t under estimate them as these shops sell all imaginable stuff.

Duty free shops can be be found at all international airports, international ferry terminals in Busan and Incheon, and in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and on Jeju-do. A usual variety of foreign goods and a few selected Korean handicrafts not available domestically are sold at these shops. For a busy person who doesn’t have time to go shopping, online duty-free shopping, where you pick up your goods at the point of your departure on exit is now an option.

An important tip to remember while shopping in Korea is that bargaining is expected nearly everywhere except at department stores, duty free shops, super markets and multi level specialty stores where prices are marked. If you buy several items from one shop, you stand a good chance of getting a reasonable discount. Foreign currencies are accepted only in hotel arcades, some handicraft centers, duty-free shops and in a few specialty stores.

On the whole shopping in Korea gives an insight and a deeper understanding of its people, culture and customs making it all an unforgettable and an amazing experience and the items you find during your trip become a beautiful reminder of it all.

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