Myeongdong Shopping Street
Myeongdong Shopping Street
4.5
NeighbourhoodsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This busy shopping district is famous for its beauty and skincare products, along with many popular Korean and international fashion brands. Hit the shops early for fewer crowds and stay till late for food and entertainment. The street is lined with food vendors selling Korean street food and there are a number of popular Korean restaurants in the area. The area's central location also makes it a convenient base when visiting Seoul. And it's not just shopping. You can also catch a traditional performance at one of the many theaters and check out the Myeongdong Cathedral. – Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience Myeongdong Shopping Street
The area
Neighbourhood: Myeongdong / Namdaemun
Arguably Seoul’s most famous neighbourhood and undoubtedly one of its most popular, Myeongdong takes shopping and eating to new heights, with hundreds of shops, restaurants, and cafes all stacked on top of one another. The rise in popularity of Korean cosmetics, fashion, and more has made this area a must-see for visitors who come and marvel at Myeongdong’s often frenetic pace and energy. Lotte and Shinsaegae’s massive department stores are also popular draws for both Korean and luxury products. The department stores, just like Myeongdong’s streets, are crowded around the clock. Myeongdong’s many street food carts are also immensely popular for their inexpensive and quirky offerings (French-fry-encrusted corn dogs, anyone?). The neighbourhood’s popularity, as well as its close proximity to other popular sights and neighbourhoods, makes it one of Seoul’s most popular places to stay.
How to get there
  • Myeong-dong • 5 min walk
  • Euljiro 1-ga • 5 min walk
See what travellers are saying
  • Travelove58
    11,272 contributions
    Good place to soak in the atmosphere......
    We visited Korea often. This time we noticed significant changes here since our last visit in end 2019, just before Covid strikes. This street used to be a "cosmetics street" with all the major Korean cosmetics brands each having few shops within here, with sales staff enticing customers with free samples to go into their shop. Now only a handful such shops left from few brands. No energetic salesgirls giving free samples. Many brands are gone. Street food prices are much more expensive now. A number of shops space are still empty. Many shops were not here before - old ones gone. Still it is a very nice place to visit at night & soak in the atmosphere.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 December 2022
  • Leonhkny
    Hong Kong, China14,189 contributions
    Touristy vibe
    This is the most popular and somehow most touristy area of Seoul. At the center of the Korean capital, Myeongdong is a bustling neighborhood full of stalls, boutiques and restaurants. While it has become a must-go for many, keep in mind that it is more touristy than local and some finds the shops a ripoff. With the correct expectation, Myeongdong is a fun place to explore.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 4 January 2023
  • bbeinstein04
    Quezon City, Philippines449 contributions
    Nice place to visit
    Keeping in mind we are still at the (hopefully) tail end of a pandemic, this is still a fun place to visit during your trip to Seoul. There are a lot of restaurants and cafes around the area but the actual food stalls pretty much sell the same things and are just repeating. Prices are a little higher too than in other locations but since it’s a tourist spot it should be expected. I’m just sorry I never got to experience it before the pandemic as I heard it used to be so awesome.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 January 2023
  • Alex H
    Port St. Mary, United Kingdom1,313 contributions
    A great night market with tons of options
    My partner and I came here for some evening street food, and we found the food and drink on offer is cheap and affordable, great for backpackers. We found a stall called ‘Tornado Potato’ as recommend by lonely planet, and this was really tasty. We also ate some fried chicken from a nearby stall and this was delicious. Definitely recommend visiting this market if nearby.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 January 2023
  • chocobon
    15 contributions
    Bustling place
    Lots of stores and restaurants. Mostly cosmetics. Visit on afternoon/evening since most of the street vendors will only open around 5PM. Interesting food selections. Best come with empty stomach.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 18 January 2023
  • Edward J
    Jakarta, Indonesia15 contributions
    Crowded and awesome
    You can see many hype brands sold stuffs there, but this street mainly have cosmetic and skin care store. The biggest is olive young. And if you go in the night time, you can experience Korean food by small cart. One of the shopping destinations in korea
    Visited January 2023
    Written 15 February 2023
  • G2Kpauly
    Melbourne, Australia1,922 contributions
    Another night market
    I've been all over asia so I've seen afew night markets. This one was ok but it's mostly the same similar snacks. Although there is also some Korean foods to try which was fun. It did seem a little touristy but it was good to check out once around here.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 6 June 2023
  • tcakoh
    Singapore, Singapore99 contributions
    Glad to be back here
    It's nice to see Myeongdong bustling again after the pandemic. Shops have changed and some shops have changed their locations. Need to re-orientate myself. It's a good place to go for shopping and eating street food
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 June 2023
  • Alicia F
    6 contributions
    A must visit shopping sensation
    So unlike anything I have experienced in the United States or Mexico. The shopping area was phenomenal! If you go one direction you will find all kids clothes, another direction offers purses (probably knock offs), and yet another offers cosmetics! If given more time I wanted to come back to visit this area again.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 June 2023
  • Klare
    Singapore16 contributions
    Best walking street for Korean Cosmetics lovers
    This is the best place for shopping for korean cosmetics, most the retail shop offer tourist tax refund above â‚©30,000. During the night time, there are tons of korean street food to explore. Highly recommended for first time visitor or shopaholic.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 29 June 2023
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Companion67166930688
3 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Shop assistants inside beauty stores are pushy and hard sell their in-house brand, stared me down when I didn't buy products that they recommended, the rude ones are those who can speak Mandarin. Some clothing stores don't allow you to look through their shirts on the shelves, you can only select from the limited displayed items on the rack. The whole area is crowded and chaotic to me, people pushed you around and never apologized.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tammara
Napier, New Zealand9 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Business
A multi-cultural and diverse shopping crowd, international and local fashion brands, and exquisite jewelry stores. Don't forget to bring your wallet, because you're sure to find something you'll want to take home!
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon Ho
Kuching, Malaysia280 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Friends
Shop shop shop till you drop! Everything, anywhere, out of stock will still become restock. Seriously the beauty products are of vast variety and multiple outlets in same location makes it impossible for you to not be able to find what you want. Oh yes, try the BBQ outlet-2nd floor Korean Fried Chicken here! You will never head back to have fried chicken the same way again. Korean Fried Chicken/KFC is unforgettable along with beer! Beer is so cheap from Terra, Cass to Kelly. I personally prefer Cass. Try the egg bread for 2000 on chilly weather, fulfilling. Lots of buy 10 free 10 offer too for masks and has instant gst/vat tax return for some shops.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

QW Teo
Singapore, Singapore82 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
One of the famous shopping areas in Seoul where there are plenty of shops selling food, beauty products, groceries and souvenirs. Besides restaurants and cafes, there are street food stalls lining the roads.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Apple D
Luzon, Philippines17 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
Now here’s where our Korean friends would not go. It’s a trap they say but we are tourists and really even after having visited before I still go here. It has the shops we want to visit and the food stalls, though expensive, really is convenient having it all there in one place. It closes later than most of the other shops too and the energy is palpable.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

spyridon d
Greece157 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
A must place to visit .Good food plenty of shops pelnty of people .Dont mis it .Regardless of the tme of day there is alwyas something for you to see, try, buy .
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Norm the Nomad
Australia1,001 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
This is best visited in the afternoon, when the place comes alive. With a large number of assorted food stalls, there is plenty of choice for a meal. Be prepared for big crowds, as it is clearly a very popular spot.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

197gabes
Singapore, Singapore137 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
Nothing really special. Just a concentration of retail shops, street stalls and eateries targeting the tourist crowd. It is probably easier to find a foreigner than a local at this space.
The main reason this place failed to impress is that there is a lack of infrastructure to support the tourist crowd. There is no proper map, directional signs of the place, it lacks seats and trash bins.
There is a lack of variety in the items sold by the makeshift street stalls. Generally food items that are sold at one end can be found at the other end. (So don’t worry if you missed your favorite food item, very likely you can find it down the street again) Food choice is nothing to shout about, apart from a few odd stalls with unique offerings, most of the items sold can be found in other food street vendors in Asia.
Prices of the street food is another let down. For the same price that one fork out, one can probably get a decent bite at a sit down cafe.
The retail scene also face similar issue of having repeated brands concentrated at the same area. The place is a haven for all thing cosmetics but other then an odd fashion or souvenir shops there is very little else for shoppers.
The saving grace would be the food outlets. It’s scatter around (some are located above ground level) and there is something for all taste and preference.
If your main objective is to shop for cosmetics products then this place is ideal. But if the intention is to experience local street food, it may be better to spend the time and money on authentic Korean food at the various food market around the city for a better experience.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dev_SG_2018
Singapore, Singapore92 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Solo
Interesting place to spend about an hour or two trying different street food options, shopping for knickknacks, cosmetics and just soaking in the ambience. It can get a bit crowded but I guess that’s part of the charm and experience for a place like this.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

traveltotelltales
Singapore, Singapore114 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Hustling and Bustling street. A good place to walk around and see how the place unfolds slowly when the clock ticks dusk. Be ready to spend money as there are many things you would be tempted to buy. Good Korean BBQ joints for dinner too!
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Myeongdong Shopping Street: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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