Dongdaemun Market: 5 Best Shopping Malls
Dongdaemun market is a popular and vibrant commercial hub nestled in the heart of Seoul. It offers an eclectic shopping experience that beckons to tourists and travelers. Its distinctive charm blends traditional markets with modern shopping centers.
As a designated “special tourism zone”, the market runs round-the-clock. It offers a myriad of shopping experiences, including an enchanting night market that features the latest trends.
Any South Korean shopping guide will tell you that a journey through Dongdaemun market should definitely be on your list if you’re visiting Seoul.
So, if you’re looking to explore this wonderful commercial paradise, this nifty guide has all the information you need!
5 Best Shopping Malls in Dongdaemun
The Dongdaemun market city first opened in July 1905 in Yeji-dong. It was initially referred to as the Baeugaejang or Gwangjang Market.
The closed structure it was first located in was destroyed in the Korean War. Slowly but surely, it was rebuilt by 1959. Larger shopping malls were erected in the district around 1999 to elevate the traditional market and give it a more modern atmosphere.
Today, the market is divided into districts that span over 10 blocks and consist of 26 shopping malls.
With over 30,000 specialty shops and 50,000 manufacturers in the vicinity, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for whether it’s textiles, ready-to-wear fashion, jewelry, pet accessories, toys, fortune tellers, electronic supplies, food, and more.
Traversing the market can be overwhelming considering its size and the vast variety of items. Here are the five best shopping areas you should definitely consider checking out:
Doota Mall
If you’re looking to up your fashion game, then you don’t want to miss out on Doota Mall. A mecca for fashion enthusiasts, it offers the latest and hottest fashion and beauty products spread across seven floors. It’s no wonder that over 20 million shoppers flock to this mall each year!
There are hundreds of designer shops and boutiques stocked to the brim with the trendiest designer items. There are also several cafes and restaurants where you can recharge and enjoy a good meal.
The overall layout of this sprawling complex follows more of a traditional department store setup. Its operating hours are from 7 pm to 5 am on Monday, and from 10:30 am to 5 am from Tuesday to Saturday.
Hyundai City Outlets
The Hyundai City Outlets offers a treasure trove of global and local brands. But don’t worry about splurging because it’s been known to offer discounted designer items. It carries close to 200 renowned clothing labels, including Nike, Adidas, Columbia, and The North Face.
If you’re looking for more premium options, the Hyundai Premium Outlet has it all. It carries the latest goods from brands like Bottega Veneta and Burberry.
Hyundai City Outlets covers 12 floors and offers dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences unlike any other. You can also find sports equipment, electronics, books, and more, all under one roof!
The Hyundai City Outlets is open from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm on weekends, and from 10:30 am to 9 pm during the rest of the week.
Migliore
Migliore is a prominent shopping destination with a reputation for housing hundreds of budget-friendly stores across its 18 floors. It caters to a diverse range of shoppers and offers not just the latest clothing trends, but also faux luxury items.
Migliore is Italian for the “best of the best” and it surely lives up to its name. It has been a successful shopping destination since it opened its doors in 1998.
The shopping complex has retained the traditional charm of the original Dongdaemun market. But it’s also managed to remain updated with the latest items that offer affordable prices and top-notch quality.
The Miliore Hotel is adjacent to the mall, allowing hotel guests to break up their shopping with a refreshing nap. For marathon shoppers, Migliore is retail heaven since the mall operates for extremely long hours.
From Wednesday to Sunday, it’s open from 10:30 am to 12 am while the Dongdaemun night market is open from 12:30 am to 2 am. On Monday, the night market is open from 12:30 am to 2 am while on Tuesday, you can visit between 10:30 am to 12 am.
apM Place (Wholesale)
Spanning nine floors, apM Place is a major wholesale market that serves wholesale and individual buyers. Open since 2016, its only downside is sellers only accept cash.
The variety and volume of merchandise available at apM Place is unparalleled. It specializes in fashion-forward items, including clothing, accessories, and beauty products. If you’re a bargain hunter looking for a great deal, this shopping destination is a must-visit. Twenty dollars will go a long way at apM, especially if you have a knack for bargaining.
It’s open from 8 pm to 5 am—perfect for night shoppers.
Maxtyle
Known for its contemporary and edgy fashion items, Maxtyle is an integral part of Dongdaemun Market. It caters to fashion enthusiasts across the world as it offers a wide range of styles, materials, and types of clothing, with modern and trendy pieces that complement every wardrobe.
When you visit, you’ll find the most up-to-date and stylish pieces, with a diverse selection of accessories and complementary pieces that will blow your mind. It’s a one-stop shopping destination that is committed to giving you not just the best of clothing, but fashion and beauty accessories too.
From Monday to Thursday, Maxtyle is open from 10 am to 5 pm while its night market operates from 8 pm to 4 am. On Sundays, only the night market opens from 8 pm to 4 am while on Friday and Saturday, you can only visit the day market from 10 am to 5 pm.
How To Get To Dongdaemun Market From Other Parts of the City
Dongdaemun market is easily accessible by public transport, including taxis, and private vehicles.
Subway and Airport Bus
Subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 5 pass through Dongdaemun. This makes it highly accessible as it has two stations: Dongdaemun Station, and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station.
You can get to Dongdaemun Station from Line 1 and Line 4. Use these exits depending on where you want to go:
- Exit 1 – Dongdaemun Market
- Exit 4 – Stationary and Toy Wholesale Stores
- Exit 5 – Dongdaemun Market, Pyeonghwa.Heungin Market, Dongmun Market
- Exit 6 – Dongdaemun Market, Pyeonghwa.Heungin Market, Seoul Tourism Information Center, Dongdaemun Stadium, Footwear Wholesale Center, Eastern Hotel
- Exit 7 – Footwear Wholesale Center, Kookmin Bank, Dongdaemun Hotel
- Exit 8 – Doosan Tower, Migliore
- Exit 9 – Dongdaemun Market
- Exit 10 – Herbal Medicine Pharmacy Street
For the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, you can use lines 2, 4, and 5. Here are the exits to take note of:
- Exit 1 – Shin Dong Pyeonghwa Market, Heungin Market, Seoul Tourism Information Center, Jaeil Pyeonghwa
- Exit 2 – Seoul Metro Dongdaemun Annex, Fashion Center
- Exit 7 – Jungbu Market, Car Equipment Center
- Exit 11 – FashionTV
- Exit 14 – APM, Good Morning City, Doosan Tower, Migliore, Cerestar, Pyeonghwa Market
Line 4 is particularly convenient as it offers connections to the airport, making the Dongdaemun market even more accessible.
The market can also be reached from the airport via the Airport Bus 6002 Route.
Night Bus
Traveling to the Dongdaemun market at night is extremely convenient thanks to the night bus. It offers the following options at frequent intervals:
- N13 Dongdaemun, DDP night bus – 28-minute intervals
- N15 Dongdaemun night bus – 35-minute intervals
- N16 Dongdaemun night bus- 55-minute intervals
- N26 Dongdaemun night bus – 28-minute intervals
- N30 DDP night bus – 40-minute intervals
- N62 Dongdaemun, DDP Night Bus – 30-minute intervals
Nearly every bus in Seoul passes through Dongdaemun and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), making the shopping district very well connected to the rest of the city.
Another convenient option is to join a hop-on hop-off tour bus that will take you through the entire district, including a handful of other tourist attractions.
There are also 1- to 3-day public transportation passes that allow you to explore the city by paying a flat rate upfront.
What Time Does Dongdaemun Market Open?
Dongdaemun Market is typically open throughout the week between 8 am and 5 am, however, it is closed on Sundays.
Keep in mind that the different malls and stores in its vicinity have their own operating hours. Moreover, their hours of operation are further subdivided based on their general markets and night markets. So, look up their hours before visiting.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an avid shopper looking to fill your bags with the best buys, you’ll find that Dongdaemun Market is paradise. You may run out of time, money, and baggage space, but the stores won’t run out of options.
Once you’ve had your fill of shopping, take a look at the country’s traditional villages and culinary experiences!
Get your Free Seoul City Check List
This downloadable check list for
Pin it and save it for later!
Check out more Korea content:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you find what you are looking for and return for more.
Linda Goes East Shop
Shop Korea-inspired home decor prints. Unique. Affordable. Korea.
