How to NOT get lost in Namdaemun...

Have you ever gotten lost in Namdaemun Market? We have!
Here is a simple guide to what's where of the whole area. Hopefully this is helpful the next time you there!

We found this helpful map at http://kidsfuninseoul.wordpress.com/tag/kids-shopping-seoul/
They also have some great info for toy shopping there, so check it out.

Where Have All the Markets Gone?

This map is courtesy of the folks at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_1_6.jsp
It shows you the location of several of Seoul's Markets (some that we've already posted about) and a few other landmarks around the city.
Can you see anything near your home?

The Pen is Mightier at WHOLESALE PRICES!

Where do you buy stationary? Do you need toys for your kids, nieces, and nephews? Do you want to buy party goods?
Welcome to the wholesale stationary market!
You will love it, I fell in love this street. And I took my foreign friends there. They love the place.

It is located in Dongdaemun, in a dirty hole of a neighborhood. Don’t let the appearance turn you away. The deals inside are worth the inconvenience of a lackluster atmosphere and the occasional crammed cluster of shelves.

Get off at Dongdaemun Station (Line 1-4 transfer station and also quite dirty) and head out Exit 4. You will see a sign that says ”독일약국” (Dogilyagkuk, it is a pharmacy, literally translated as “Germany Pharmacy”, with an orange-colored sign). Turn on to the right street and you will see a HUGE stretch of stationary, toys, and party goods.

The prices here are 20-30% cheaper than normal when you use your card, and up to 50% if you use cash.

A few recommendations would be Lego (30% off), Tape cutter/dispensers (my mother-in-law thought this was cool) or toy pens. Also a wide selection of toys and party favors are here. Hit this place up before next Halloween or any costume party.

As far as Korean standards go, they close fairly early. Make sure to go before 6. Also, they are closed on holidays and Sundays.

If you click on these links you can see a few pictures:

http://sakura0523.blog.me/60155890893

http://cafe.naver.com/joincoll/40
 
I recommend you go there when you have plenty of time. There are so many shops, you’ll need time to explore!

Get a Check Card! Save Money!

Do you use a check card but you don’t get any discounts? 바보!^^ Check this list and change your check card!

“Woori V check Card” (Woori bank)
 1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, Youngpung Book store, you can get a 3,000won discount.
3) CGV, Megabox, Lotte Cinema, you can discount maximum 6,000won.
4) VIPS, Outback, TGIF, Bennigans, Sizzler UNO 10% off
5) Starbucks, Coffee Bean 20% off

“KB Nori Check Card” (KB-kookmin Bank)
1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, 5% off
3) CGV 35%
4) VIPS, Outback 20% off
5) Starbucks 20% off
6) GS Convenience Store 5% off

“City Bank A+ Check Card”(City Bank)
1) You must use more than 100,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discount. For the first 60 days, you can get discount with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, Youngpung Book store, Yes 24 10% off
3) CGV, Megabox, Lotte Cinema 10% off
4) Every restaurant, Lunch 10% off
5) Starbucks, 10% off
6) Homeplus, Lottemart, E-mart 10% off
7) Hospital, Drug store 10% off

“Shinhan Love Check Card”
1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Yes 24 3% off
3) CGV discount maximum is 7,000won
4) Outback, Sizzler, Bulgogi Brothers 20~30% off
5) Starbucks 20% off
6) Homeplus, Lottemart, E-mart, GS mart 5% off

These cards are specific about what they need to be for certain offers. There are many more, SOOO many that Korean shops need to keep a list of them, with pictures, so that they know, themselves, what discount to give. Most of the discounts use a “cash back” system. I found this on a Korean site. When you make one of these check cards, you need to ask for a brochure and check well. Some discounts are not the same each month. It is also better to use only one check card.

If I had a hammer...

So have you ever been wandering along the Cheonggye Stream and thought to yourself, "I could really use a table saw..."?
Me either, but you can get one while you're there anyway.

Along this historic (not really) stream there is a large market filled with construction supplies. Here you can find hammers, nails, power tools, hinges, bolts, shackles, chains, and much more.
Need a paintbrush? Need paint? How about an electric-powered hot knife that cuts through foam like butter?
Other than tools you can also find a variety of light bulbs and fixtures, wheels and pulleys, and, my favorite, ridiculously strong magnets.

The great thing about this place is that you can get everything at wholesale prices. There is a language gap, but if you hold out and play a little hardball when haggling, you can get great deals.

The easiest way to get there is on either line 2 or 3, Euljiro 3(sam)ga Station. Head out exit 5 and you're already in the midst of it.
If you really need to do some renovations or just want to window shop, this place is perfect and you could spend all day looking around. If you want to rest after a while, you're right by the stream, so there are plenty of places to go nearby.

3.14159265... no wait... PIE!

Looking for a good pie in Seoul? The name of the place is "Tartine". They have two shops (across from each other) one is the main bakery and pie shop and the other is the brunch and lunch shop. They are amazing! They have all traditional Western and European pies and cakes. The owner is an expat and they have homemade ice cream, bread, and butter. Flavors include Maple, Rhubarb, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Pecan, as well as a few others. They are awesome. Here is the website...you should try to go someday and get a warm pie with ice cream on top! Yum. http://www.tartine.co.kr/
Thank you to our friend Sandy for sharing this information.
If anyone out there has any helpful information they want to share, feel free to send us a message and we can post it^^

Wholesale Shoe Market in Seoul

Shoe shopping! Jon hates it, but I'm addicted to it! But if you love it like I do, you need to do it wisely to save money^^

1) How to get there: Line 1, or 4 Dongdaemun station exit 7, 5 minutes walk. The shops are along 청계천 (Cheonggye Stream). There are also even more shops behind the buildings.

2) Pictures
http://blog.naver.com.../next0390?Redirect=Log&logNo=50139715491

http://blog.naver.com/rhddladhkd?Redirect=Log&logNo=50141330851

http://blog.naver.com/thehei?Redirect=Log&logNo=80162697309

3) Opening time: 3:00am~3pm / Sunday-closed

4) Advice
① End of Season: end of February or August, there are big discounts
② I don’t recommend leather shoes- Leather shoes are cheaper than other ones. But still expensive and they can ask for more money to foreigners because they think they don’t know other places prices (Shameful but true).
③ With big smile, you can ask “Kkak kka ju se yo(깍아주세요/ discount pleas)”
④ It is better to look at many places before choosing (Don’t impulse buy), I’ve been there, and even it is the exact same shoe, the price depends on store (The farther from the station, the cheaper the price!)

Wholesale Baking Market in Seoul

For special holidays or just for any time you get pangs for good, old-fashioned, home-baked goods, many people want to make cookies, pies, or cakes. You can get the ingredients you need and the utensils to do it with at a cheap price, and you don't even have to go all the way back to your home country to get it all^^

 The place you're looking for is the the wholesale baking market and it is one of Seoul's hidden gems, even if it is a little rough around the edges. Here you can find everything from molasses to colored sugar, cake pans to cookie-cutters. The market is complicated to find but it is totally worth it to go.

 How to get there: 1) Line 1 Jongno 5(o)-ga station exit 7 You need to walk to Gwangjang Market first. You go through Gwangjang market(광장시장) and then you can see the sign for Bangsan Market (방산시장)

You can see pictures of Bangsan Market (방산시장) here: http://llovebob7.blog.me/159708835

 2) Line 2 Euljiro 4(sa)-ga station exit 6 Go straight , you can see the sign for Bangsan Market (방산시장), then turn left. You can see the pictures here: http://karma21.tistory.com/115
 Times: 9:00am~7:00pm Sunday not open
 What you can get : Baking ingredients, utensils, packing ingredients
 Pictures: http://onblush.net/90137237131
 http://blog.naver.com/wannabe_top?Redirect=Log&logNo=163811470

The French Village (Seorae Village)

Do you like good food? Do you enjoy eating posh at a reasonable price? 

Not many people have heard of the French Village (서래마을 – Suhrae ma-eul) and many who have heard about it have no idea where to find it. This is because it is tucked away in a cluster of side streets no one would ever glance at if they were among the few travelling by on a bus. 

Getting there can be tricky. The closest station is “Express Bus Terminal” Station on lines 3, 7 and 9. The closest exit is exit 5. This can only be accessed on the Line 7 side, so if you go out the gate off of Line 9 or 3, head to surface and follow the numbers until you get to 5. You’ll come up on the peaceful corner of a busy intersection. Follow the walking path straight ahead to the overpass bridge. The path is between an upscale apartment complex and a small stream. Go over the overpass and head down the closest street.

This may look like your standard Korean fare, but look a little closer. It has a certain “je ne sais quois” that most places are lacking. Once you figure it out, take your pick. Not every place is strictly French, in fact MOST aren’t, but they do have a standard that guarantees something good to eat.

A few suggested places:

Paris Croissant – Yep. Paris Croissant. But this isn’t your typical Korean Bakery. You can smell it halfway there from the main street. Follow your nose and your mouth will water. Three stories and a basement of the best baked goods in Korea. The top two are Café space. Same as below, but more expensive.

Shy Bana – Comfort food. Cajun Style! This is down one of the side streets and is so small you’re likely to walk by it. Try the Mac’n’Cheese. As one friend put it: “Well, I guess I like Cajun Food.” Do not miss this one.

Steak – Not a place, but top notch in several locations, done in a variety of styles. Throw a dart at a road map and you’ll hit a good one.

Izakaya – The nicest looking establishment of the well known Japanese Pub franchise.

Wine – See “Steak”.

Pick a nice day to sit on a terrace and enjoy several places in one day.