If you are looking for some of the best shopping and eating in Seoul, then start with Myeong-dong. This popular district features street food carts, major shopping malls, and entertainment.
The dense grid of streets found in this bustling neighborhood is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea.
Along with locals, Myeong-dong is busy with tourists from around the world, many of whom come from other Asian countries such as Japan and China. Almost 2 million people visit the area every day.
After the Korean War, the economy of South Korea expanded rapidly, and so did the city’s population. Many department stores, shops, restaurants, and shopping centers set up businesses in the Myeong-dong area to keep up with this increasing demand.
From street carts to small boutiques to major department stores, you can find just about anything related to clothes and the latest fashion trends.
The area offers fashion items geared towards youth who visit each night to find the hottest new fashion trends and beauty products.
Myeong-dong is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world. The area is your destination if you are looking for the best international and Korean brands and shops, such as Forever 21, Lacoste, Apple, Nature Republic, and The Body Shop.
Anyone who loves to shop and has money to spend can find an almost unlimited number of mid to high-end retail stores, from Louis Vuitton to large department stores such as the Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store.
You can also find bargains if you are willing to hunt for them. To find great deals, look past the large department stores and most major brands towards the street carts and smaller shops tucked away in smaller alleys.
Even if you don’t want to shop, Myeong-dong is a destination in itself. It’s a great area to find many types of restaurants and tasty and unique street foods.
The best part about street food here is that you can walk from stall to stall, finding whatever looks and smells the best. Street food is cheap, tastes great, and will keep you warm on a cool night.
The best time to experience Myeong-dong is after sunset when the streets fill with people, the smell of street food fills the air, and the neon lights shine brightest.
A simple but great experience involves simply wandering around and people-watching on the many traffic-free alleys and streets.
Myeong-dong offers more than shopping, nightlife, and eating as it features Myeongdong Cathedral, a must-visit attraction.
Myeong-dong Information
Hours
Admission
Free
Address
Myeong-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
GPS Coordinates: 37.563183, 126.98535
How to Get Here
The center of Myeong-dong can be reached from Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4).
Myeong-dong Video
Map
Official Website
https://english.visitseoul.net/shopping/Myeong-dong/ENP000067
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Book Recommendations
Prefer a physical guide? Fodor’s Seoul offers detailed recommendations, maps, and travel tips for the city.
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Last Updated on Aug 5, 2025