Pages

1.17.2016

Seoul Searching | Mad about Myeongdong.

Ahhh, Myeongdong - Seoul's shopping haven, the mecca of makeup lovers, and now one of my favorite places in the world. I went to Myeongdong twice during my two-week stay in South Korea, unaccompanied on both instances.
Walking along the streets of Myeongdong - my favorite exercise. Lol!
On my first shopping trip, I came home with seven (or was that eight?) shopping bags, much to the horror of my husband. On my second shopping trip, my husband was practically begging our son to accompany me because 'delikado iwanan si Mommy sa Myeongdong, ang daming binibili pag nag-iisa,' he said. (It's big trouble if Mommy goes to Myeongdong alone because she spends a lot!) But Yue just wouldn't budge. The odds were in my favor. Haha!

Anyway, allow me to walk you through the streets of Myeongdong and let me show you what to see, buy, and eat while you're there. :)
Let the shopping begin!
Myeongdong, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!
For starters, there's makeup. Lots and lots of Korean makeup brands, with stores sitting side by side. There's practically an Etude House, Missha, and Tony Moly branch in every block!
Banila Co. and Song Ji Hyo. 
Beyond and Kim Soo Hyun.
Beyond's Alice in Wonderland makeup line! *squeals*
Cathy Cat Code and Moomin.
Nature Republic and EXO.
About Me and Sistar.
Club Clio and Gong Hyo Jin.
Inside Innisfree, where I bought quite a handful of skincare items.
A'Pieu and Doraemon.
Laneige is love.
What I love about shopping for makeup/skincare in Myeongdong is how generous they are with freebies! Some stores even offer a tax-refund, which you can claim before your departure at the Incheon International Airport.

There are also a handful of souvenir shops in Myeongdong, which sell not just the usual keychains and fridge magnets, but Kpop merchandise as well.
This souvenir shop right beside Beyond is my favorite.
Everything Kpop!
Brand name shops like Lacoste, Cath Kidston, Tommy Hilfiger, Forever 21, H&M, and Uniqlo can also be found in Myeondong. There are a few department stores in the area as well, including the Lotte Young Plaza and the Shinsegae Department Store.
Lotte Young Plaza.
Cath Kidston with its crazy end-of-season sale.
H&M with four massive floors.
The huge Uniqlo store.
Can you guess which store I loved the most?
My love, Onitsuka Tiger!
The one with the Tiger, of course. I'd take these over Air Max and Yeezy any day. :)
Bruce Lee x BAIT x Onitsuka Tiger Collection.
I made it a point to drop by Myeongdong Cathedral while I was there. I went inside to pray and thank God for all the blessings that my family has received (e.g. this trip to Korea), but chose not to take photos of the Cathedral's interiors. I took photos of the outside instead.
Myeongdong Cathedral (it's right across the Cath Kidston store, you can't miss it).
When you don't have a selfie stick...
The huge tree beside the Cathedral.
I took a break from all the shopping and walking at the nearby Holly's Coffee. There are a few other coffee shops in the area, like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Song Jae Rim! :)
Lasagna and Mint Chocolate Latte.
Surprise, there's a Christmas tree in my coffee!
If you're into cutesy stuff, drop by Hello Kitty Cafe or the Line Friends Store and Cafe for some really kawaii cookies and macarons, and even collector's items, too.
Inside the Line Friends Store and Cafe.
Thank you to the two Korean schoolgirls who took this photo of me with Brown. :)
Hello Kitty Cafe!
Family restaurants, fast food outlets, and food stalls are other dining options. I went for the latter on my second trip to Myeongdong; I bought a Gamja Hotdog (hotdogs covered with french fries) and a Hweori Gamja (tornado potato). Both were deeeelish! :)
Because Korean street food is best enjoyed in Korea. :)
Tornado Potatoes!
And as customary, I swung by the nearest doughnut shop before heading home. Because you know I have a doughnut monster for a son. JCo, my son's favorite doughnut brand, is not available in Korea so I settled for good ol' Dunkin' Donuts instead. No complaints with these Gaspard and Lisa doughnuts!
Gaspard et Lisa.
So how to get to Myeongdong, you may ask.
You can take the Subway, line 4 Myeongdong Station exit 6.
Or if you're coming from the Incheon Airport, you can take the Limousine Bus No. 6001 or 6015.
If you're unsure, just take a cab and say, "Myeongdong kase-yo?" which is what I did. Haha! 
Taxis in Korea are equipped with GPS and dashboard cameras. The drivers are very friendly, too.
One cab driver even gave me an 800-won discount because he found out I'm a Filipino and we share the same Catholic faith. Thank you, kind ahjussi! I hope to ride on your cab again when I come back! :)

18 comments:

  1. That's a lovely place! And the food looks really good too. I think I'd have a hard time keeping myself from shopping as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks that you're enjoying while shopping lol. I love the Christmas Tree in your coffee, that was looks unique.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Myeongdong sounds like a wonderful place for shopping & I think I might end up spending so much time out there if I visit Seoul. I just love those beautiful shopping malls & those delicious foods as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an awesome shopping experience! I could totally get lost in Myeongdong. Look at all those exciting looking shops! It's really interesting to see how chains adapt in other countries. I would love to visit Dunkin' Donuts in Seoul. They look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If some one wishes expert view regarding running a blog
    then i advise him/her to visit this web site, Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great info. Lucky me I recently found your site by chance (stumbleupon).

    I've bookmarked it for later!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have you ever thought about adding a little
    bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all.
    Nevertheless think about if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more,
    "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and video
    clips, this website could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its niche.
    Very good blog!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find
    It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to
    give something back and help others like you aided me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm gone to tell my little brother, that he should also
    pay a quick visit this blog on regular basis to obtain updated from latest news update.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the
    same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a
    outstanding job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging
    on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It's always interesting
    to read articles from other writers and practice a
    little something from their web sites.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff
    from. Thank you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi everyone, it's my first pay a visit at this website, and
    post is actually fruitful in support of me, keep up posting such posts.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Does your site have a contact page? I'm having
    problems locating it but, I'd like to send you an email.
    I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good post. I absolutely appreciate this website. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi friends, its enormous article concerning cultureand completely defined,
    keep it up all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. In one other shallow bowl, whiѕk еgg with water.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very good information. Lucky me I found your site by chance (stumbleupon).
    I have saved it for later!

    ReplyDelete

A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Tell me what you think. Share your thoughts with me!
Comments with links, profanity, and/or hateful words will be marked as spam.