Myeong-dong

Myeong-dong = shopping. If it's a popular brand that exists in South Korea, you would probably find it here. Myeong-dong has mid-to-high priced retail stores and international designer brand outlets, as well as homegrown cosmetics brands. There are several shopping centers and department stores like Lotte, Shinsegae, and Migliore as well. There are fine dining options, tons of casual eateries, cafes and dessert places.

 

SAMGEORI BUTCHERS
13 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Samgeori Butchers is on the first level of the YG restaurant complex in Myeong-dong. We weren't expecting a lot from this establishment because we thought maybe it was just popular because it's owned by YG, one of the biggest entertainment agencies in South Korea. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that it lived well beyond the hype. We ordered the set menu which included two kinds of meat, kimchi fried rice, and your choice of (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) drinks. The meat was good quality, the ban chan was tasty, and the kimchi rice was perfect. The lychee soju cocktail was yummy too, but TBH I was too focused on the food. 

There's a cafe on the (same) first level and a cocktail bar on the second level, so you're pretty much set whatever you feel like consuming. A small corner on the first level that sells branded merchandise from YG artists draws the most attention, as expected.

 

STREET FOOD, GLORIOUS STREET FOOD!

The carts start to open around lunch time and they stay open well until around 10 PM. They are not too filling so you can try as many as you want, and it’s perfect for taking breaks from marathon shopping. Favorites include gyeran ppang (fluffy, oblong-shaped loaf of bread with a whole egg inside), jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce), spicy grilled chicken, corn on the cob with various toppings, hotdog covered in fries, and foot long ice cream. There's also grilled steak bites, buttered scallops, strawberries in mochi, and so many others.

It can get crowded in Myeong-dong specially on weekends, but you should definitely go there at least once.

 

SHOPPING

Most of the Korean chain brands are well represented in Myeong-dong and our favorite clothing brands are SPAO (it's like a younger Uniqlo), 8 Seconds (basics with Korean flair), Style Nanda (also home to one of my favorite make up brands, 3CE), and Åland (local designers, great accessories and super stylish stuff).

For eyewear ALO is my go to; they also make prescription glasses that can be ready in an hour. If you love paper products, pens, planners, organizers and random cute stuff, look out for Artbox. I can spend hours in there just browsing for stuff I don't really need but are too cute to pass up. As for Beauty brands, I swear by Nature Republic products, but I also like stuff from Innisfree, CosRX, Missha, and Etude House.