GAMJA IN SEOUL

experience

“you'll see the Tourist Helpers run by Seoul City. If you have any questions about Myeongdong or Seoul in general, just say hi! They speak different languages, so don’t worry about the language barrier. You can also drop by their office right next door.”

shopping

“Next up, for all you Lines Friends character lovers, is the Line Friends store. Their items are cute and high quality. On the second floor, they have a "K-POP Demon Hunters" zone. Apparently, it’s a pop-up style floor, so it might be gone soon. I asked a staff member, and she told me this will be here until at least February, but I think it will stick around for a while even after that. Even if you aren’t buying anything, you must drop by to take a photo with the cute decoration at the entrance. It changes every season, this winter, it’s a Christmas tree. It’s a classic Myeongdong photo spot!”

shopping

“Now, let’s get creative. We are heading to the special Nike Seoul store. As far as I know, this is one of the few selected Nike stores in Korea where you can customize items IN STORE. You can add "Seoul" patches or Hangeul to your apparel, making it a high-quality souvenir you can actually wear.”

experience

“Let’s take a break from the crowds and walk up the street to the Myeongdong Cathedral. Built in 1898, this is one of the oldest cathedrals in Korea and the site of the first Liturgy on the Korean peninsula. Even if you aren’t Catholic, the architecture is stunning. It’s a beautiful photo spot and a significant piece of Korean catholic history.”

restaurant

“You should be hungry by now. There are tons of options in Myeongdong, but the most famous one is Myeongdong Kyoja. This place has been a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the past 9 years and is famous for its Kalguksu (minced beef noodles) and Mandu (dumplings) at a reasonable price. I tried it a few years ago, and I remember the food being incredible value for money. This restaurant has 3 locations in Myeongdong and all 3 are always super busy, so you will likely need to wait in line. But don’t worry! The turnover rate is super fast, so the line shrinks quickly. Just pick the branch with the shortest line.”

shopping

“Now we’re back to Myeongdong Station, and in front of it, look at this tower. This is the biggest Daiso in Korea, the 12-story Daiso. In case you don’t know, Daiso is a dollar store where everything is 5,000 Won maximum. Considering the price, the quality is pretty decent! Because it’s so massive, let me tell you one strategy. Take the elevator all the way to the top floor and walk down the stairs, shopping floor by floor. Trust me, you will find at least one product you like in this building!”

shopping

“If Nike isn't your style, just cross the street to the New Balance store. You can do the exact same type of customization there too!”

shopping

“Unless you are allergic to nuts, I personally think this place is worth your money. They have nuts coated in every flavor imaginable, Cookie and Cream, Matcha, Cherry Jubilee, Honey Butter, and much more! And they are actually really good. They also have small portion ready for you to try. I bought myself 2 packs today. It’s about 8,000 Korean Won per pack. My tip: It’s a great idea to buy in bulk here. They make perfect souvenirs to share with friends back home.”

shopping

“Now, remember the Olive Young we skipped at the beginning? We are finally going to THE Olive Young. This is the Myeongdong Town branch, the second biggest in Korea. by the way, the biggest is in Seongsu, which is over 4 times the size of this one If Olive Young was on your Korea bucket list, you can easily spend an hour just here. Unfortunately, I couldn't film inside, but it’s spacious, has everything, and it’s great for testing products.”

shopping

“Next, time to shop for K-Pop! Our next stop is WithMuu. They have two floors of merchandise, including small stickers, key chains, albums, and light sticks. Take some time to look around if you came to Korea for your favorite K-POP band merchandise.”

shopping

“Heading back to the station area, our second K-Pop option is K-Mecca. This place is similar to the first one, but if you didn’t find what you were looking for earlier, definitely try this one!”