Myeongdong is the place die-hard shoppers dream of.
It’s one of the most popular and hectic shopping districts in Seoul, South Korea. Myeongdong is where it’s possible to witness females carrying 25 shopping bags full of new accessories while attempting to balance herself on high-heels.
However, I’m personally not much of a shopper as I don’t ever much I need, other than food. The good thing is, where there is lots of shopping, there’s also good people watching and more importantly tasty South Korean food.
Here are a few more photos of spending a little time in Myeongdong…
Pantyhose or socks? There’s so much of a selection you might get dizzy.
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In Korea, they extremely enjoy their fashion, both men and women. Believe it or not, marketers in Korea are really pushing for male cosmetic products too, seriously. I’ll skip, and just stick with food!
Squid and little deep fried morsels are handy to eat and quite satisfying as well.
While the sides of the streets of Myeongdong are lined with upper scale nicer shops, in the evenings the walkways become clogged with street carts selling a range of knick knacks and semi-useful items.
One of the most popular treats in Seoul is ice cream, and nearly everyone who passes can’t resist one of these towering ice cream cones.
Korean street food snacks and other things on sticks prevail in Myeongdong – shopping (or people watching) is hard work, and food needs to be involved.
Even though there are so many tantalizing treats on the streets of Seoul, the ultimate thing I ate was this plate of glory. It’s a simple combination of 3 items: plain rice wrapped in seaweed, daikon radish kimchi, and unbelievably flavorful octopus in chili sauce.
Purchased form a chain restaurant in Myeongdong, I wasn’t expecting it to be all that good (normally I prefer hole in the wall little spots), but on the contrary, the octopus was so salty and spicy and ultimately flavorful that I couldn’t believe it!
Browsing Myeongdong is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Seoul, and even if you’re not into the shopping (like myself) there are still lots of restaurants and interesting things to check out.
Spicy Braised Hairtail Stew (갈치조림) at Seoul’s Hairtail Alley
Delicious Meal at Seoul’s Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Street
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Golden Tube
6 years ago
I love South Korea ????????
Lili
7 years ago
I’ll be spending an overnight stop in Seoul. Are there any night markets that are open all night?
Yola Arellano
7 years ago
Thank you so much for featuring KOREA on your blog. I love Korean food especially kimchi and in fact, I am really planning to visit this year on my way to the Philippines. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sending me your latest experience about your travel and above all “food”. Oh.. by the way, thanks also for mentioning the places where to shop and find street foods in every country you visited. I just came back from Japan and i went to some of the places you featured on your blog and it was very helpful to me. Again, keep on exploring and enjoy your adventure about food.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hi Yola, you’re welcome, thank you very much for reading, and glad this will be helpful. Hope you can stop in Korea, it’s an amazing place and so much good food. The kimchi never fails!!
Peter Lee
11 years ago
From cosmetic to clothes to food. The place I loved best in Seoul! I must say the prices are really affordable and they usually come with loads of freebies. You can walk down the same street everyday with more and more things to buy as gifts or for own.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Thanks for sharing Peter!
Naomi
11 years ago
Ah, that crazy place!! I do miss it…though I never quite got over seeing male celebrities advertising makeup, ha! 😉
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Haha, I think just going a few times during my visit was enough where I didn’t go complete insane from so many people, but to where I still found it quite amusing – all the people and snacks. Yah… makeup. I stayed outside as my girlfriend went into those cosmetic stores!