As a Korean from Seoul, I’m thrilled to share 10 must-visit shops for the best shopping in Seochon!
After growing up in Seoul for 16 years, I moved to the US and now call NYC home. I visit at least once a year because my family is still in South Korea.
And when I do visit – I always spend a whole day in Seochon, frolicking amongst the other young people in town.
Seochon got its name (“West Village”) because – you guessed it – it’s west of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
It also, in a way, feels like the West Village in NYC. Not in the uppity, stylish ambience; but in the young, hip vibe.
It’s the perfect place to experience the best of Korean fashion. There’s tons of Korean streetwear and luxury brands, with their ever-fancy boutique shops.
There’s also tons of interesting coffee shops and delicious food.
With that, let’s dive into the best shopping Seochon!
Best Shopping in Seochon
Best Clothing and Accessories
1. Artsy THEILMA Flagship Store inside a Hanok (더일마 서울 플래그십 스토어)
Everything about THEILMA, from the mismatched pieces to the loveseat made from clothing, was an artistic experience.
Not to mention that they wove in chic modernity with the bare wooden structure of a Korean traditional hanok house.
The pieces were out of my budget, but were a joy to browse through.
Prices to expect: 220 USD (319,000 KRW) for an unbalanced skirt (Site)
Address: 1st floor, 27 Jahamun-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
2. Colorful, feminine pieces at IULAI (이울라이 쇼룸)
Funky, fun and girlie. LULAI’s pieces are simple but with pops of fun color.
With expansive windows that peer onto a small garden, the store is also a memorable experience.
Prices to expect: 75 USD (109,000 KRW) for a cardigan (Site)
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, 36 1/F
3. Channel the classy 9-5 girlie in you with LFM
Channel your modern, work-to-brunch girl with LFM’s neutral pieces.
The LFM flagship store experience in itself makes it worth stepping inside. The display is simple yet elegant.
Prices to expect: 150 USD (219,000 KRW) for a cardigan (Site)
Address: 1st floor, 11-12, Jahamun-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
4. MSK Antenna Shop (므스크 안테나 숍): Am I in Upstate NY?
We love the crunchy vibes. Stepping into MSK (pronounced “meusk”) reminded me of the cabin-vibe outdoorsy shops along the small tourist towns of Upstate NY.
There’s surprisingly a lot of practical to-shop items, though.
My cousin got a multi-colored fleece scarf.
I bought a quilted tissue box cover (seem to be a must-have in Korean apartments now!) with bunnies on it for my friend.
Prices to expect: 45 USD (63,000 KRW) for a unisex long sleeve t-shirt (Site)
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Jahamun-ro 12-gil, 11-1 1/F
5. Wind the clock back with vintage accessories at Jongnosa (종로사)
“Only 3 people at a time,” the shop owner said as he whisked other visitors away. My cousins and I were busy peering the treasures he’d collected; vintage pieces, watches.
For reasonably priced one-of-a-kind souvenirs, it’s worth stopping by this hole-in-a-wall oasis.
Prices to expect: 60 USD (90,000 KRW) for a vintage men’s silver ring – this is from memory, however. (Instagram)
Address: 37 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
6. You’re stylish down to the toes with SOCKSTAZ (삭스타즈 서촌점)
I do admit, I’ve spent time eyeing men’s interesting long sockies on my commutes to work in NYC.
A punch of personality in the straight line of formality.
That’s what you can acquire at SOCKSTAZ, although I’d say it’s closer to vibing more with casual and streetwear.
Prices to expect: 2-20 USD (3,000-32,000 KRW) depending on the sub-brand, material and design. (Site)
Address: 25-3 Tongui-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Best Gifts and Stationery
7. One cannot have too many bag charms from One More Bag (원모어백)
I could (and have) spent WAY too much time here. Colorful trinkets by all sorts of artists.
Whether you’re searching for a playful keychain or a small gift, One More Bag will soothe that itch for cuteness you didn’t realize you were missing.
I bought beautifully packaged incense & see-through bookmarks shaped like fruit and veggies as gifts for friends back home.
Prices to expect: 2.40 USD (3,500 KRW) for stickers, 9 USD (13,000 KRW) for a keychain
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Pirundae-ro, 6-1 2/F
8. Art books that fill the sorrowful hole in your Soul from Ofr Seoul
Ofr is an art bookshop in Paris, known for its role as a cultural hub as a gallery and publishing house and other identities.
If it weren’t for the crowd (and my poor cousins!), I could spend HOURS flipping through the art magazines and books. As a writer (though admittedly a Kindle lover), it made me re-appreciate the power of something you can hold onto dearly.
Though its roots as an art bookstore is clear, Ofr Seoul has tons of cutesy trinkets, from dazzling hairpins to funky keychains.
Prices to expect: 28 USD (40,000 KRW) for a hardcover art book, 22 USD (32,000 KRW) for a tote bag (Site)
Address: 11-14 Jahamun-ro 12-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
9. Should I leave NYC for the boon? Comptoir de Mirabelle (꽁뜨와 드 미라벨)
Comptoir de Mirabelle made me lust for a real home (as opposed to my I-am-single one bedroom). No, really.
And maybe that’s an excuse. But the melancholy lobster plate and the industrial steel kettles got to me.
It seems Ofr Seoul and Comptoir de Mirabelle are run by the same people (I’m not sure what the actual relationship is, though).
Prices to expect: 30 USD (42,000 KRW) for 4 placemats
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, 11 3/F
10. Allwrite: I am a melancholy but reflective girlie (올라이트 서촌점)
As a journaling girlie, I could 100% appreciate the thought and care put into the design of Allwrite’s journals.
They exemplify the beauty of analog task and life organizing in a digital world. Keep things simple, but with enough structure so that you can keep on, keeping on.
The wall of amusing photo post cards make Allwrite fun to browse for all.
Prices to expect: 1 USD (1,500 KRW) for a postcard, 7.50 USD (11,000 KRW) for a one-month diary
Address: 102 Chebu-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
I’m convinced! How do I get to Seochon?
The most straightforward way to get to Seochon Village is by taking the subway.
Take the orange-colored 3 subway line, then get off Gyeongbokgung Station.
From there, it’s about a 10 min walk to Seochon Hanok Village, where you’ll find these artsy shops embedded amongst traditional Korean houses. It’s a lovely nod to the Joseon Dynasty.
Remember, Google Maps doesn’t show walking directions in South Korea. Therefore, I highly recommend that you download Naver Map and use it instead.
In cold weather, you might opt to take the bus, which will get you closer to inside the trendy area of Seochon. Naver Map will provide you with real-time directions.
Best Shopping in Seochon (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best shopping in Seochon.
Seochon is easily my favorite neighborhood in Seoul. It’s filled with some of best places to shop, including designer brands in a hanok building, to gift shops with all the cutest objects of desire.
It’s also a great place to understand the ins and outs of modern-day Korean culture.
- Artsy THEILMA Flagship Store inside a Hanok (더일마 서울 플래그십 스토어)
- Colorful, feminine pieces at IULAI (이울라이 쇼룸)
- Channel the classy 9-5 girlie in you with LFM
- MSK Antenna Shop (므스크 안테나 숍): Am I in Upstate NY?
- Wind the clock back with vintage accessories at Jongnosa (종로사)
- You’re stylish down to the toes with SOCKSTAZ (삭스타즈 서촌점)
- One cannot have too many bag charms from One More Bag (원모어백)
- Art books that fill the sorrowful hole in your Soul from Ofr Seoul
- Should I leave NYC for the boon? Comptoir de Mirabelle (꽁뜨와 드 미라벨)
- Allwrite: I am a melancholy but reflective girlie: Allwrite (올라이트 서촌점)
Thanks for checking out my article about the best shopping in Seochon!
Hungry in the Seochon area? Why not grab some egg tarts at Tongin Sweet or oily tteokbokki at Tongin Market?
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