Seoul
Olive Young, Daiso, Musinsa, E-Mart, Namdaemun Market. The exact route Japanese tourists take when shopping in Seoul — squeezed into one day. New K-beauty drops, 1,000-won cosmetics, Honey Butter Chips by the box, Korean designer fashion. Don't skip the convenience store for banana milk and Dubai chocolate.
Duration
1 days
Location
Seoul
Full itinerary at a glance — tap markers for map links
Day-by-day breakdown with spots, maps, and local tips
Morning in Myeongdong: hit Olive Young flagship + Daiso's 12-floor tower first. Namdaemun Market for wholesale accessories and snacks. After lunch, metro to Hongdae for Musinsa K-fashion, then Daiso Hongdae next door for K-cosmetic minis. Final stop: E-Mart Yongsan for ramen, seaweed, and snack boxes. Hit convenience stores along the way for banana milk, Dubai chocolate, and hotbar.
Korea's #1 beauty store chain. The Myeongdong flagship has the widest selection of K-beauty products with tax-free shopping and exclusive tourist sets.
Korea's largest tourist-facing Daiso with 12 floors. Nearly half of all customers are foreign tourists. Find Korea-exclusive K-beauty minis, traditional Hanbok stationery, and Hangul-themed goods unavailable in Japanese Daiso.
Korea's largest traditional market with 600+ years of history. Accessories, clothing, and Korean snacks at wholesale prices.
Musinsa offline store near Hongdae. Try on and buy K-fashion brands in person. Matin Kim, Mardi Mercredi and other brands popular in Japan, all in one place.
7-story Daiso near Hongdae, well-organized by floor with clear category divisions. Connected to AREX airport rail — ideal for last-minute shopping before departure.
A large mart in the basement of Yongsan I'Park Mall. Good for bulk buying ramen, seaweed, snacks, and Korean cosmetics. Less crowded than Lotte Mart Seoul Station.
Korean restaurant by Chef Park Hyonam, White Spoon on Culinary Class Wars S2. Healthy Korean course centered on soy and tofu, with various vegetarian options.
Gomtang restaurant since 1939. Milky white ox-bone soup simmered for hours. Rice comes separately.
Chaeum Hanjeongsik in the heart of Myeongdong serves traditional Korean table-d'hôte meals in a warm, hanok-inspired setting. The set menus range from 25,000 won per person (standard, with assorted side dishes) to 45,000 won (premium, with galbi-jjim braised ribs or ganjang gejang soy-marinated crab), making it an accessible taste of authentic Korean cuisine. The restaurant holds halal certification, accommodates group bookings, and offers hanbok (traditional clothing) experience add-ons.
Celebrity-founded pork BBQ grilled on a cast-iron pot lid. Famous for premium water parsley (minari) from Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk. The pot lid grill creates superior Maillard browning. Multiple branches across Seoul.
Cluster of gopchang (beef intestine BBQ) restaurants near Euljiro 3-ga. Charcoal-grilled intestines with soju is the quintessential Korean after-work meal. Smoke-filled alleys, plastic stools, and no-frills atmosphere — this is where office workers unwind after hours.
Korea's first cross-aged pork specialist, pioneering dry-aging since 2018. Menu numbers (960, 720, 560) indicate aging hours — 960 means 40 days. A glass aging showcase room lets diners see the process. Staff grill tableside throughout the meal. Complimentary pork kimchi jjigae served as a finisher.
A lively street near Hongdae packed with Korean BBQ restaurants offering premium cuts of pork belly, beef brisket, and aged galbi at student-friendly prices. The smoky aroma fills the entire block.
Hanwoo beef BBQ in the heart of Hongdae. Top-grade Korean beef grilled at your table with banchan and ssamjang.
Yongsan branch known for minari (water parsley) gomtang and beef tartare bibimbap. The crisp, refreshing minari texture elevates every dish.
Michelin 1-star French restaurant by Chef Son Jongwon, White Spoon on Culinary Class Wars S2. Located in L Escape Hotel, blending classic French technique with Korean sensibility.
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