Unconventional Shopping in Seoul: Unique Markets and Boutiques

Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is one of the shopping capitals of the world. Almost every major luxury brand in the world has a presence in Seoul, and the city is home to South Korea’s best and brightest designers. There are also up-and-coming brands showcased by Seoul’s trendiest boutiques.

Photo credit: Timothy Riles on Unsplash.

Seoul also has a number of unique and fascinating markets, neighborhoods, and shopping centers that are travel destinations themselves. Whether it’s a traditional shopping street or a mall made out of old shipping containers, there are some unorthodox places to get your retail therapy in. Regardless of whether you buy anything or not, these will be valuable travel experiences.

Exploring a massive city like Seoul requires a lot of energy to get around, especially if you’re trying to hit all the best shopping destinations in town. Finding a reliable place to drop the bags off for a few hours is a great way to lighten the load and keep your arms open for all the fresh finds you’ll discover in Seoul’s amazing boutiques.

Hongdae.

Hongdae

Known for its youthful clientele and artsy vibe, Hongdae is a must-visit destination for trendy travelers looking for a bespoke shopping experience. This neighborhood’s streets and alleyways are lined with indie boutiques, vintage stores, local designer shops, buzzy cafés, and everything else you’d expect from a hip neighborhood.

It’s one of the best places in Seoul to discover one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and handmade crafts. Hongdae is also famous for its lively street performances and underground music scene, making it a vibrant and creative shopping district. Tucked away near Hongik University, Hongdae’s main shopping area is easily reached by taking the subway (Line 2) to Hongik University Station. From there, it's a short walk to the best shopping stretches.

Photo credit: Ciaran O'Brien on Unsplash.

Myeongdong

Myeongdong is the city's premier shopping district. This bustling area is a haven for fashionistas and beauty enthusiasts, with an abundance of cosmetics shops, international brands, and some of Seoul’s most renowned boutiques. While it may be less distinctive than some of the more peculiar shopping destinations, Myeongdong is still a quintessential Seoul institution that international travelers should definitely experience.

The streets are lined with neon signs, creating a vibrant atmosphere that’s lively at night. Don't skip tasting some Korean street food while you shop! Myeongdong is located in the heart of Seoul and is easily accessible by public transportation or a short walk from other tourist hotspots.

Pink Pool Cafe.

Pink Pool Cafe

This one is right out of a Wes Anderson film… Combining (very niche) retail offerings with a quirky cafe setting, Pink Pool Cafe is a must-visit for lovers of the color pink. This entirely pastel cafe boasts a stunning pink interior with vibrant decor, including (you guessed it) pink furniture, walls, and even a pink billiards table. You can sip on a cup of coffee and indulge in pink-themed desserts while enjoying the whimsical ambiance and twee setting.

The cafe offers a selection of pink-themed merchandise for taking home a keepsake. Pink Pool Cafe is located in the bustling Hongdae shopping district, making it the perfect detour for a charming coffee or popping in for a quick Instagram pic.

Beaker.

Beaker

Beaker is a multi-brand concept store that carries a few different lines but maintains a cohesive aesthetic and feel. Beaker originated in the artsy Hongdae neighborhood and has since expanded to other locations in notable shopping destinations in Seoul, including Garosu-gil and Shinsegae Department Store. The primary location is in Hongdae, where you’ll find the largest layout and best selection.

What sets Beaker apart is its impeccably curated selection of cutting-edge fashion from both local and international designers. The boutique features a mix of contemporary streetwear and avant-garde pieces. To put it plainly, Beaker traffics in the hipster aesthetic. If you want to know what styles are “next,” this is the place to go. Beaker’s thoughtfully designed space also creates a vibey shopping experience, so it’s a joy to visit regardless of whether you buy anything or not.

Photo credit: Skyler W on Unsplash.

Insadong

For a traditional Korean shopping experience, exploring the Insadong neighborhood is like stepping back in time.

This historic district is known for its art galleries, antique shops, and traditional craft stores. You'll find unique Korean souvenirs, such as hanbok (traditional silk clothing), ceramics, calligraphy brushes, and hanji (traditional paper).

Regardless of your shopping aims, taking a leisurely stroll down the main street lined with quaint shops and tea houses is a great way to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Korea. You can easily reach Insadong from the city center by subway Line 3. The best shopping streets are a quick walk from Anguk Station.

Photo credit: Hill Country Camera on Unsplash.

Common Ground

Located in the Gwangjin-gu district, Common Ground is easily the most unique shopping center in Seoul. This innovative complex is built entirely from repurposed shipping containers, giving it an industrial-chic aesthetic. Common Ground curates a selection of local designer boutiques, pop-up stores, and independent brands. It’s entirely aimed at attracting young and trendy shoppers, and it’s become a destination for international travelers looking for a fun place to find the best up-and-coming South Korean brands.

The clientele will be ultra-hip, given Beaker’s proximity to a local university, but it’s still an approachable and fun place to visit. Because the selection showcases independent smaller designers, the prices can vary from uber-cheap to very expensive. Common Ground is easy to get to, as it can be reached by taking the subway to Konkuk University Station. From there, it's a short walk. Just look for the cluster of blue shipping containers. You can’t miss it.

While it’s understandable that fashionistas will want to hit up Seoul’s many upscale fashion districts and boutiques during their visit, visiting one of these distinctive shopping destinations is a great way to explore Seoul fully. It offers an insight into Korean culture that can be both traditional and modern experiences. You might even run into your new favorite piece of clothing.

Folcon Cakery | The Return of the OG.

Foodwise, if there's one thing I've been really looking forward to this summer, it's the reopening of Folcon Cakery. You see, Folcon (formerly known as Folcon Baker and Coffee Shop) is a household name here in San Pablo City when it comes to cakes and coffee. It's one of the OG coffeeshops here in my hometown, and one of our favorite places to dine and hang out back when the husband and I were still dating. 

Even after getting married, we remained loyal customers of Folcon. In fact, during the first trimester of my pregnancy, I would often crave for Folcon's Chicken Cordon Bleu and Pasta Alfredo. My husband would buy them for me of course, because he had to satisfy his pregnant wife's food cravings no matter what, haha.

Fast forward to April 2023, Folcon finally reopened their physical store after almost three years of limited operations (i.e. taking orders online, doing meet-ups and deliveries) because of the pandemic. The best part? Their new location is just a few blocks away from our place!

Folcon Cakery - the return of the OG.

 

The new Folcon Cakery now has a kissaten (Japanese coffee shop) concept, a far cry from the old coffee shop's industrial look with brick walls and eclectic interiors. This new look is fresh, trendy, and very appealing, especially to the Gen Z crowd (aka my son's age group). Truth be told, I'm totally smitten by the new look because the store's facade reminds me a lot of Deux Copains, one of my favorite neighborhood bakeries in Hongdae. 

Look who's now hanging out at Folcon with me. :)

Similarly, Folcon Cakery's revamped menu is quite interesting because it's a fusion of old and new. Most of the food items are Folcon classics like the cakes and pasta. Their Baked Zitti, one of Folcon's all-time bestsellers, tastes exactly the way I remembered it from more than a decade ago. It's as meaty, cheesy, and delectable as it was, and that's because they still have the same cook. How awesome is that?

Baked Zitti, Php 230.

Salted Karameru (Hot), Php 119.

Even their cakes and pastries are just as yummy, because they're baked by the same patissier. 

Choco Caramel Tin Can Cakes, Php 199 (mini) and Php 399 (regular). 

Walnut Brownies, Php 20 per piece.

More cake options - Mocha Ganache and Double Chocolate.

The beverages, on the other hand, have quirky Japanese names like Salted Karameru (Salted Caramel) and Pichimangu Soda (Peach Mango Soda), to name a few. If you're a fan of anime or Jdrama, you'd have no trouble interpreting these Japanese names. If anything, you'd give yourself a pat on the back because you understand what they mean and what ingredients they're using. 

The Folcon Cakery menu.

While I enjoyed the Folcon classics, Yue preferred the new items on the menu. He's especially fond of the Kukki Dough (Cookie Dough) with its decadent chocolate base and generous cookie bits, and the Chicken Sando (Chicken Katsu Sandwich) - crunchy chicken fillet wedged between flavorful coleslaw and fluffy slices of bread. He recommended these to his friends, and they loved them as well.

Chicken Sando, Php 149.

Kukki Dough, Php 149.

Folcon Cakery's food options might be a little limited for now, but that's okay since they're still on their soft opening. They're planning to add more items in time for their grand opening this month. As a matter of fact, they've started serving Fettucine Carbonara and Ebi Sando (Shrimp Katsu Sandwich) just recently. Hopefully, they'll bring back my all-time favorite Chicken Cordon Bleu and add more coffee flavors as well.

Fettucine Carbonara.

The new location is also a bit small compared to the old coffee shop, but the last time I dropped by (which was yesterday), they're adding a few more touches to the store's facade and interiors and working on seats for al fresco dining. I can't wait to see the final look on my next coffee run!

Early dinner at Folcon Cakery.

Folcon Cakery at night.

Folcon Cakery

Osmena St. cor Laurel St., 

City Subdivision,

San Pablo City
0917 132 9272

Romantic Baboy | The place to be for meat lovers.

With the growing popularity of K-dramas, K-pop, and just about anything Korean, it's no surprise that samgyeopsal (Korean barbecue) also became widely known in the Philippines. Over the past few years (and most especially during the height of the pandemic), samgyeopsal restaurants have popped up in literally every street and corner in the metro, and even in the provinces.

Among these restaurants, the most popular would have to be Romantic Baboy. Established in 2018 with its first branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Romantic Baboy is one of the first samgyeopsal restaurants to offer an eat-all-you-can menu. Now with almost a hundred branches all over the Philippines, it's no surprise that Romantic Baboy is a household name when it comes to Korean barbecue.

Romantic Baboy - the place to be for meat lovers.

There are currently six Romantic Baboy branches here in Laguna, and thankfully, one of those branches is in my hometown. The San Pablo branch opened in July 2021. Back then, they were a lot more stringent when it comes to health and safety protocols, like doing temperature checks, filling out health declaration forms, and presenting vaccination cards. These days, they're a lot more lenient - they just ask you to fill out their log book with your name, contact number, and time of entry. 

After logging in, you will be asked to wait a bit as they prepare your table. You will be ushered to your seat once they've set the table with banchan (side dishes), sauces, melting cheese, and lettuce. Likewise, the grill will be ready with fresh charcoal underneath, and seasoned egg on the side. 

Ready to grill!

Romantic Baboy's selection of side dishes includes kimchi, danmuji (pickled radish), coleslaw, pa muchim (scallion salad), eomuk bokkeum (stir-fry fish cake), and goguma mattang (candied sweet potatoes). I actually like their scallion salad, which reminds me of the pa muchim served in my favorite samgyeopsal restaurant in Hongdae. Their fish cake is okay too, but I do believe my version of eomuk bokkeum tastes better, haha. 

Banchan galore!

As for the dipping sauce, they have the traditional ssamjang, sesame oil, salt and pepper, and spicy sauce (which kinda looks like a watered down version of gochujang to me). I usually dip the meat in ssamjang and sesame oil, because that's how they usually do it in Korea.

The Romantic Baboy menu.

They also have a seasonal menu.

Speaking of meat, Romantic Baboy has eight types of meat in their regular menu. This includes Herb Samgyupsal, Woo Samgyup, Moksal, Daepae Samgyupsal, Yangnyum Galbi, Jeyuk Style Daepae, Bulgogi, and Spicy Beef. To start your grilling experience, you will be asked to choose three different types of meat which will be served in wooden platters. Marinated meats, on the other hand, are served in bowls.

Herbed Samgyupsal.

Daepae Samgyupsal.

I've pretty much tried them all, and the Herb Samgyupsal is my hands-down favorite. If you prefer a shorter cooking time, Daepae Samgyupsal is a winner too, since the meat is thinly sliced. Their marinated meats (particularly the Yangnyum Galbi and Bulgogi) are pretty good as well, but they tend to burn the grill faster and make the flames flare up. 

Grilling!

They also have a special menu and a seasonal menu. Included in the special menu are Cheese Scallops, Smokey Samgyupsal, and Bulgogi Chicken. Listed on their seasonal menu are Mak Chang (pork entrails) and Smoked Duck. The meats on the seasonal menu are hard to come by, while the Cheese Scallops are a must-try. They're chewy but super tender, and they taste like the sea, if you know what I mean.

First batch of meat. :)

As I have mentioned earlier, it's eat-all-you-can at Romantic Baboy. Everything on their menu is unlimited, so you can always order for more. Even the side dishes are unlimited, too. (I usually ask for egg, cheese, and lettuce refills, hehe.) You can also ask for rice and gochujang jjigae (Korean spicy stew), which they will also refill if you ask for second, third, or more helpings. All these for only Php 549. Definitely worth the price, if you ask me.

Samgyup buddies. :)

Overall, I love the food and the service of Romantic Baboy. I've visited the San Pablo branch four times to date, and it's been a great dining experience every single time. The food is great, the staff are cordial and friendly, and the restaurant is clean, spacious, and fully-airconditioned. I also like how well-lighted the place is, with huge, glass windows that give you a nice view of the sky and cars passing by.  

Lunch time at Romantic Baboy.

Romantic Baboy at night.

Romantic Baboy opens at 11am and operates until 10pm on weekdays. On weekends, they are open until 11pm. The restaurant gets pretty busy in the evenings so I suggest you come early, especially if you're dining with a large group. 

Romantic Baboy

2F Lynderson Arcade

San Roque - Sta. Monica Road

San Pablo City, Laguna

Seoul Searching | What to Do in Seoul During Chuseok.

Chuseok 추석 is one of the biggest and most-awaited holidays in South Korea. Also known as the mid-autumn / harvest festival, Chuseok is the equivalent of Thanksgiving Day in America and is usually celebrated for three days. However, this year's Chuseok holiday will be observed for four days - from  Thursday (September 12) all the way 'til Sunday (September 15).

Chuseok is one of the few times of the year when Koreans take time off from work, travel to their respective hometowns to spend time with their families, and hold memorial services for their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Many business establishments will close down in observance of the holiday, so expect Seoul to be a bit more tranquil and peaceful during this time. However, there will still be a handful of places to visit and lots of things to do for the expats and tourists who will be coming to Korea during the Chuseok holiday.

Visit a heritage site. 
Korea is world-renowned for their cultural heritage sites, and a great number of them can be found in the Seoul metropolis.

One of the more popular heritage sites is Jongmyo Shrine, the royal shrine which houses the 'spirit tablets' of the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. On regular days, visiting Jongmyo Shrine would require a reservation. But on Chuseok, the shrine will be open to the public, with free admission at that.

Ancestral rituals will be held at the shrine during the holiday, and visitors can get the chance to witness these first-hand.

Yue at the entrance to the main hall.

Jeongjeon, the main hall of Jongmyo Shrine.

Tour the Grand Palaces of Seoul.
Like Jongmyo Shrine, the Grand Palaces of Seoul will remain open during the Chuseok holiday, free of charge. However, you have to pay the regular rates should you wish to visit the Huwon (Secret Garden) in Changdeokgung or join the nighttime tour of Gyeongbokgung.

Changing of the guards at Deoksugung Palace.

Plenty of cultural experience programs await visitors during the Chuseok holiday. Musical performances and a tasting of royal tea and snacks will be held at Gyeongbokgung, while traditional mask dances and tightrope walking will be done at Changdeokgung. Musical performances will also take place at Changgyeonggung. Deoksugung, on the other hand, will present a re-creation of the welcoming ceremony for foreign envoys by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon era (1392-1910).

Get a great view of the city.
Standing 555 meters tall with 123 floors is the Lotte World Tower - the tallest building in Korea and the fifth tallest building in the world. This majestic tower houses galleries, cafés, and a luxury hotel, in addition to a skywalk and an observation deck.

Come on up to Seoul Sky!

Lotte World Tower.

The view from above.

Going all the way up to Seoul Sky is one of the best ways to get a clear, breathtaking view of the city. The cityscape becomes even more majestic by sundown, with the glittering city lights and all.

Check out a non-verbal performance.

Spice up your holiday by going to a cultural/musical performance. It doesn't matter if you're well-versed with Hangeul or not as these shows are non-verbal, and will only require tickets, your enthusiasm, and your attention.

The cast of Jump.
Photo credit: Jump official site.

If you're a martial arts enthusiast like me, you'll definitely enjoy 'Jump' an award-winning performance packed with humor, taekwondo, and other forms of martial arts. Since 2003, the show runs everyday at Myeongbo Art Hall in Jung District, Seoul

Another noteworthy non-verbal performance is 'Cooking Nanta', which runs everyday at Myeongdong Nanta Theatre and Hongdae Nanta Theatre. This show incorporates traditional percussion and humor , and has long been a popular staple since 1997.

Enjoy the great outdoors. 
Because most of the locals leave the city to travel to their hometowns during Chuseok, Seoul becomes less crowded and blissfully empty. This makes hiking trips more enjoyable and less stressful, and cycling routes become easier to navigate. Go on a bike ride along Han River, take a stroll at Seoul Forest, or if you're traveling with kids, take them to Seoul Grand Park for the Seoul Zoo Korean Thanksgiving Festival.

Autumn colors at Seoul Forest.

Seoul Grand Park.

Children's Park.

Chuseok jal bo nae sae yo! Have a wonderful Chuseok!
Here's hoping that you'll have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holidays!

My First 'Official' Althea Haul!

K-Beauty shopping website Althea was launched at the time when I was already going back and forth to Korea and enjoying the perks of my multiple entry Korean visa. I would shop for Korean cosmetics at actual stores in Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Sinsadong, buying stocks enough to last until my next trip.

I didn't fully appreciate Althea - or any other K-Beauty shopping website for that matter - until I became part of their Beauty Ambassador Community, fondly known as Althea Angels. As an Althea Angel, I got to rediscover my love for online shopping and the convenience of buying everything that I need with just my credit card and a click of a button. Even more so, I was also impressed by Althea's wide range of products, competitive pricing (they're cheaper than most shopping websites), fast delivery (my package arrived six days after I placed my order) and impeccable customer service.

Now one of the perks of being an Althea Angel is getting reward points on certain occasions. We received reward points as part of our Welcome Gift, which I then used to pay for my order. Althea members also receive reward points with their first purchase, and can earn more points through promotional activities at Althea's social media sites.

That being said, here's a sneak peek of my first 'official' haul from Althea. :)

My first 'official' Althea haul!

Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic White Vita-C Essence.
"An essence that uses a more stabilized form of Vitamin C, along with green tea seed oil, spider silk protein and sea buckthorn extract to promote hydration, strengthen skin and provide soothing benefits. Regular use of the essence fades blemishes and dark spots, resulting in a refined, more flawless complexion."

Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic White Vita-C Essence, Php 730.

I've recently begun incorporating Vitamin C in my skincare routine, and I thought this essence was a great way to start. All the great feedback that I have read about this product convinced me to give it a try, and I'm thrilled to see what this essence can do for my skin!

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Color Clay Mask.
"A sebum-controlling color clay mask with different colors and functions. Contains Jeju volcanic cluster to cleanse pores; combats different skin concerns; easily incorporated by multi-masking."

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Color Clay Mask (Brightening), Php 350.

One of the first few skincare products that got me into this K-Beauty bandwagon was Innisfree's Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask.  Since then, clay masks have become part and parcel of my skincare routine, and after emptying another jar of the Pore Clay Mask, I thought of switching to the colored version this time around. My penchant for vitamin C-infused products made me choose the Yellow variant. It's formulated with Vitamin C to brighten the skin and make it more radiant.

Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack.
"This hair pack contains Argan Oil which provides excellent features such as moisturizing, repairing, nourishing, and gives the outer texture a silky feel. It targets dry and damaged hair that has gone through multiple perms, hair coloring, harsh dryers, and constant exposure to the sun. Effective for split end and brittle hair."

Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack, Php 300.

Now this is one of my favorite hair care products of all time. This hair pack helped my then-blonde tresses survive the harsh Korean winter, and prevented it from becoming dry, dull, and brittle. I've been using this product on a weekly basis since I discovered it in 2015, making sure I always have a tub or two (sometimes three) at home. 

Prreti Be Moist Moisturizing Stick.
"Pocket-sized glide-on stick made with plant-based oils to protect and nourish the skin, specifically the area around the eyes. 

Prreti Be Moist Moisturizing Stick, Php 190.

A relatively new product on the Althea website, the Prreti Be Moist Moisturizing Stick promises 'nutrition, vitality, and elasticity' for dry and dull skin. You know I'm obsessed with anything that can make my dark and often tired-looking under-eyes less prominent, so I added this product to cart. For Php 190, I thought this was worth trying. I just hope this product works!  

Unpa Bubi Bubi Lip Scrub.
"Flaky lips no more thanks to this innovative lip scrub from Korean brand, Unpa.
Natural lip scrub made with natural AHAs, papaya extract and grapefruit extracts to scrub away dead skin cells and leave lips so soft. Once applied, gel bubbles up into an exfoliator and dissolves away dry skin."

Bubi Bubi Lip, Php 470.

This bubble-forming lip scrub piqued my curiosity after I saw a demo video of it on one of Althea's social media sites a few months back. Althea had some sort of promotional offer last week, and this lip scrub was among the products that you can receive for free (the other two were a set of sheet masks and a hair bleaching set) with any purchase that you make on the Althea website. Me so lucky!

Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Set.

"Althea's Real Fresh Skin Detoxer is a 10-second, 2-in-1 cleanser pack that showcases real, fresh ingredients and incorporates them into a system that allows a deep, clarifying cleanse while boosting the skin with nutrients and goodness. This product leaves the skin feeling fresh and looking smooth for a healthy, happy complexion!"

Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Set, Php 990 (introductory price).

With my recommendation and tons of positive reviews on the Althea website, my friend decided to give these cleanser packs a try. This set is hers actually, and I hope she enjoys both products as much as I do. You can read my review of the Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Set here.

I'll be doing a review of the other products soon! Stay tuned! :)