Markets
Insadong
This seems to the be the favorite market of my friends that have traveled to Seoul. There are many arts and crafts at this market with a slightly higher quality. Lacquer boxes, art work, and celadon are some of the items bought here.
Namdaenum
This is a very bustling market open nearly around the clock filled with all sorts of goods including inexpensive clothing, housewares, fabrics, jewelry, accessories, toys, food, flowers, stationery and appliances. Many Koreans shop here as well as tourists. I know some people have gotten too overwhelmed to shop here, but it's a sight to see. The picture below was taken at Namdaenum:
Itaewon
Itaewon is located near a large US Army base, so this market tends to cater to westerners, specifically Americans. There are many souvenir-type items here and many of the vendors speak English. There is also a bustling night-life near this market.
I cannot wait to shop in Seoul! Some items on our list include: lacquer boxes, celadon pottery, silk robe, name scroll for Gabe, chopsticks for adults and kids, pj's, cd's and books in Korean, and art work to bring back and frame. Please let me know any other items you bought or recommend.
8 comments:
Ironically, I have a draft on our shopping in Seoul that I hope to post this week. (In honor of being home one month - a look back if you will since I never got it posted at the time!)
Anyway - we loved Insadong - by far our fave place. We bought almost all of our souvenirs there. (I also recommend a name chop for Gabe!)
Namdaenum is cool - but crazy! It was packed when we went, and completely overwhelming... but you do need to see it! We didn't really shop there since it was so crowded, but we made a point of stopping at Alpha - great [Korean] educational stuff. Oh, and there you may have oodles of little kids running up to you and practicing their English!
you will LOVE shopping in Seoul! our favorite was Insadong - i think we went 3 times! Namdaenum was a sight to see and cannot be missed! we enjoyed just walking up and down the streets and "people watching." we bought a few gifts here, but other than that we just walked and walked! we didn't do much in Itaewon - except for the scroll guy. it was a little more western and a lot of Americans were there. can't wait to see YOUR pictures of Seoul!
ps we had a stamp made with Cohen's Korean name on it. there are a few stores by ESWS, or really they pop up anywhere. ours was mechanically carved, but the scroll guy will take a few days and hand carve it.
I recommend buying more than you think you "need." LOL! We kept talking ourselves out of buying more (namely with the celedon pottery and the wall scrolls) and then regretted it after we got home...where else are you going to have all those options?
Only thing I can think of off the top of my head that we got that isn't on your list are wedding ducks.
Ah... shopping...
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I can't wait!! I want to be there today. :-)
I second the recommendation to buy more than you need. There were so many things that I picked up, debated buying, and ultimately put back. The majority of those things I now really wish I had just purchased.
I wish I had bought one or two special pieces of jewelry for me. Something that I could wear and think of Korea.
Joanna
You will love Seoul...we absolutely loved it. We hope to go back again someday when Isaac is a bit older.
We didn't make it to Insadong...and regret that. We enjoyed Namdaenum and Itaewon. Really wish we would've bought more stuff...and something a bit more significant for our memories of Korea. We did get some artwork, but wish it were more. Maybe some day we'll get there again...
Hands down, my favorite shopping destination is Isadong, especially on Sundays because they close off the streets to cars and it becomes a pedestrian mall. I like the focus on artisan quality and craftsmanship - you can find lovely souvineers here for sure.
I like shopping Namdaemun (which means "South Gate") for household items like chopstick and spoon sets, stone bowls for bibimpap, and kimchi pots. A friend of mine purchased a set of gorgeous square pillowcases, the kind that Koreans use for sitting on the floor at the dinner table. Also there are many Hanbok retailers who have outfits in every color combinations - stunning, museum quality hand painted silk clothing.
I have to say Itaewon is my least favorite - though I have spent a lot of time there, and there are a lot of great little shops tucked away that carry fantastic knock-off handbags, so it can be worth the time. But as a whole the district just feels a little seedy and gross to me. True, it is frequented by a lot of westerners, and with almost very venture I've also seen a lot of young American servicemen behaving very badly - just rude. I'd stay away from that area at night for sure.
One last note - any Hangul spoken to a shopkeeper is appreciated, usually met with a warm smile...even if your pronunciation is off, so don't be shy!
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