13 Best Bookstores in Seoul: Beautiful & Unique Bookshops (2026 Guide)
I have a hard time walking past a good bookstore without going inside. And in Seoul, that can be dangerous because a “quick look” can very easily turn into an hour of browsing books, stationery, magazines, art prints, and things I definitely did not plan on buying.
Seoul has a surprisingly diverse bookstore scene. You’ll find enormous Korean bookstores where you could easily get lost for an afternoon, tiny independent shops specializing in beautifully designed publications, secondhand bookstores, spaces dedicated to Korean literature, and even bookstores centered around music and film.
After living in Korea for more than a decade, I’ve also found that bookstores are a fun way to experience a quieter side of Seoul. They give you a little glimpse into what people here are reading, creating, collecting, and talking about, while also making great stops between the city’s busier attractions.
In this guide, I’ve narrowed it down to 13 of the best bookstores in Seoul, from the iconic Kyobo Book Centre in Gwanghwamun to small independent bookshops that you might otherwise walk straight past. I’ll also show you where to find English books in Seoul, where to shop for independent publications and secondhand books, and which stores are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary.
☕ Looking for somewhere to sit down with a book instead? I’ve separated Seoul’s reading cafés into their own guide: 13 Best Book Cafés in Seoul: Cozy Places to Read & Relax.
Best Bookstores in Seoul: Quick Picks
Not sure where to start? Here’s the cheat sheet. Whether you want a gigantic bookstore you could get lost in, a tiny indie shop, secondhand treasures, or something wonderfully niche, there’s a Seoul bookstore for you.
| Bookstore | Best For | Area | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun | ⭐ Best Overall | Gwanghwamun | Seoul’s iconic mega-bookstore with books, stationery, gifts, and plenty to browse |
| YOUR-MIND | 🎨 Independent Books | Yeonhui-dong | One of Seoul’s best-known indie bookstores with art books and independent publications |
| Storage Book & Film | 📖 Indie Publications | Haebangchon | Small press books, photography, zines, and wonderfully niche finds |
| NOT JUST BOOKS | 🏭 Seongsu Bookstore | Seongsu | A carefully curated indie bookstore that fits perfectly into a day exploring Seongsu |
| AnRak | 🇰🇷 Korean Souvenirs | Anguk | Books, Korean design, stationery, and beautifully made souvenirs all under one roof |
| ARC•N•BOOK | ✨ Beautiful Interiors | Yeouido | A stylish bookstore and lifestyle space that is almost as fun to photograph as it is to browse |
| Aladin Used Bookstore | ♻️ Secondhand Books | Gangnam | Rows of affordable used books plus a good place to hunt for foreign-language titles |
| Youngpoong Bookstore | 🛍️ Big Bookstore | Hongdae | An easy bookstore stop while exploring one of Seoul’s busiest neighborhoods |
| Seochon Geu Chaekbang | 🇰🇷 Korean Literature | Seochon | A smaller shop celebrating Korean writers, literature, and language |
| LSR x Still Books | 🎵 Books & Music | Yeouido | Curated books meet records, music, and design inside The Hyundai Seoul |
| Odd’s Book | 🔐 Most Unusual | Sindang | A private, reservation-based bookstore experience with themed book curation |
| Seoul Book Bogo | 📚 Used Books & Unusual Finds | Songpa | A huge public secondhand bookstore and cultural space unlike Seoul’s regular bookshops |
| Propaganda Cinema Store | 🎬 Film Lovers | Sinsa | Film posters, publications, and cinema-related design for serious movie nerds |
Map of the Best Bookstores in Seoul
Seoul’s best bookstores are spread across the city, from Gwanghwamun and Seochon to Seongsu, Yeouido, and Gangnam. I’ve marked all 13 bookstores from this guide on the map below so you can easily find one near wherever you’re exploring.
1. Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun: Seoul’s Ultimate Bookstore
Best for: ⭐ Best overall
Neighborhood: Gwanghwamun
Nearest station: Gwanghwamun Station
If you only have time for one bookstore in Seoul, Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun is the place I’d start. This enormous underground bookstore is a Seoul institution, with seemingly endless shelves covering Korean literature, travel, art, magazines, children’s books, foreign-language titles, and just about everything in between.
But the books are only part of the fun. There’s also a huge stationery and lifestyle section filled with planners, pens, character goods, K-pop albums, and gifts. Basically, this is a dangerous place for anyone who walks into a stationery store saying, “I’m just going to look.” Give yourself plenty of time to browse.
📚 Don’t miss: Check out the foreign-language section if you’re looking for English books, then wander through the stationery and gift section before leaving.
💡 Good to know: This is the Gwanghwamun flagship location. It’s easy to combine with Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and other sights in central Seoul.
📍 Address: 1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, B1F
2. YOUR-MIND: Seoul’s Indie Publishing Pioneer
Best for: 🎨 Independent books & art books
Neighborhood: Yeonhui-dong
Nearest station: Hongik University Station
If giant bookstores like Kyobo feel a little overwhelming, YOUR-MIND takes us to the opposite end of Seoul’s book scene. This small independent bookstore has specialized in indie publications and art books created by individual artists and independent publishers since 2009. It also produces its own publications and organizes Unlimited Edition, Seoul’s annual art book fair.
The selection here is much more curated than your average bookstore, with independent books, art books, small publications, CDs, and creative goods you probably won’t stumble across at the big chains. Come here to browse slowly, discover something unexpected, and potentially leave with a book you had absolutely no intention of buying.
📚 Don’t miss: Browse the art books and independent publications. This is where YOUR-MIND really shines.
💡 Good to know: Photography of people and book interiors is not allowed inside the store. It’s also closed on Tuesdays, so check your timing before making the trip to Yeonhui-dong.
📍 Address: 2F, 10-6 Yeonhui-ro 11ra-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
3. Storage Book & Film: Small Press Heaven in Haebangchon
Best for: 📖 Indie publications & photography books
Neighborhood: Haebangchon
Nearest station: Sookmyung Women’s University Station
Tucked away in the hills of Haebangchon, Storage Book & Film is the kind of tiny bookstore where you actually want to inspect every shelf. It started as a camera storage space in 2008 before becoming an independent bookstore in 2012, and today it specializes in small-scale and independent publications, including plenty of books you’re unlikely to spot at Seoul’s big chains.
Photography lovers should have an especially good rummage around. The store has strong roots in photography and also produces its own publications. And if one indie bookstore somehow isn’t enough, there’s a second Storage Book & Film Rotary Branch just a five-minute walk away. Two bookstores in one neighborhood? Challenge accepted.
📚 Don’t miss: The photography books and small independent publications that are much harder to find in mainstream bookstores.
💡 Good to know: The main store is open daily from 2 PM to 7 PM. The nearby Rotary Branch opens from 1 PM to 7 PM, so it’s easy to visit both.
📍 Address: 115-1 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
4. NOT JUST BOOKS: A Neighborhood Bookstore in Trendy Seongsu
Best for: 🏭 Seongsu indie bookstore
Neighborhood: Seongsu / Seoul Forest
Nearest station: Ttukseom Station
Between Seongsu’s pop-ups, cafés, and flagship stores, NOT JUST BOOKS offers a much quieter reason to explore the neighborhood. This small independent bookstore has been part of Seongsu since 2018 and stocks a personally curated mix of new and used books, independent publications, essays, literature, art books, and other interesting finds.
The shelves reflect the owner’s own tastes, complete with handwritten recommendations that make browsing feel much more personal than at a big bookstore. There’s also a rather adorable member of staff: Sundol, the shop’s resident rescue dog. Honestly, books plus a bookstore dog is a pretty convincing combination.
📚 Don’t miss: Look for the handwritten recommendation cards tucked among the books. They’re a fun way to discover something you might never have picked yourself.
💡 Good to know: The bookstore is currently open Wednesday through Monday from 11 AM to 8 PM and closed on Tuesdays.
📍 Address: 3F, 44 Seoul Forest-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
5. AnRak: Books, Korean Culture & Seriously Cool Souvenirs
Best for: 🇰🇷 Korean culture & design
Neighborhood: Anguk
Nearest station: Anguk Station
AnRak was one of my favorite recent bookstore discoveries in Seoul. The books here aren’t just a random collection either. There’s a strong focus on Korea, with sections covering everything from traditional Korean culture and bestsellers to K-pop. I especially loved the children’s section, where I found beautifully illustrated Korean books based around traditional fairy tales, holidays, and other parts of Korean culture. Even if you don’t read Korean, they’re incredibly fun to browse.
But honestly, the books are only half the reason I’d send you here. AnRak also has a fantastic selection of genuinely unique Korean design goods and souvenirs. I ended up buying a drinking glass with a tiny Korean hanok house built into the inside of it. How cool is that?! This is the kind of place to shop if you want something more interesting than the usual tourist souvenirs, whether it’s a gift to bring home or something to Korea-fy your own home.
📚 Don’t miss: Browse the Korean children’s books and illustrated publications, then give yourself plenty of time for the design and souvenir section.
💡 Good to know: If you’re looking for unique Korean gifts, I’d put AnRak high on your Seoul shopping list. It’s especially good for travelers who want books, design pieces, and souvenirs that actually feel connected to Korean culture.
📍 Address: 88 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
6. ARC•N•BOOK TP Tower Yeouido: Where Books Meet Lifestyle
Best for: ✨ Beautiful interiors & lifestyle finds
Neighborhood: Yeouido
Nearest station: Yeouido Station
ARC•N•BOOK – TP Tower Yeouido is much more than rows of bookshelves. Designed as an urban book lounge, this stylish space mixes curated books with culture, coffee, events, and plenty of little lifestyle discoveries. It’s the kind of bookstore where you come in to browse a few titles and somehow find yourself investigating everything else around you too.
The TP Tower location also has spaces for reading, working, and relaxing, plus cultural events such as book clubs, author talks, and exhibitions. It makes a particularly fun stop if you’re already exploring Yeouido, and gives you another excuse to linger in the neighborhood beyond The Hyundai Seoul.
📚 Don’t miss: Take some time to explore beyond the bookshelves. The whole concept is built around books, lifestyle, and spending a little longer than you originally planned.
💡 Good to know: This is the TP Tower Yeouido location, not the older Euljiro ARC•N•BOOK you may still see in older Seoul guides. The Yeouido store is on B2 of TP Tower.
📍 Address: B2F, 96 Uisadang-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
7. Aladin Used Bookstore Gangnam: Treasure Hunting for Book Lovers
Best for: ♻️ Secondhand books
Neighborhood: Gangnam
Nearest station: Gangnam Station, Exit 7
There’s something extra satisfying about finding a great book secondhand, and Aladin Used Bookstore turns that into a proper treasure hunt. Aladin has used bookstores all over Seoul, but the Gangnam Station branch is especially convenient for travelers and stocks everything from novels and travel books to comics, art books, CDs, DVDs, and foreign-language titles. The official store directory confirms dedicated sections for Korean books, foreign books, music, and DVDs/Blu-rays.
The best part is that you never quite know what you’ll find. Stock changes constantly as people buy and sell books, so browsing is half the fun. Prices are generally much friendlier than buying new, which makes this a good place to pick up a vacation read without feeling too guilty when your suitcase suddenly weighs three kilos more.
📚 Don’t miss: Check the foreign-language shelves for secondhand English books. Selection varies depending on what has recently been sold to the store.
💡 Good to know: Aladin has many used bookstores throughout Seoul, but I’m recommending the Gangnam Station Exit 7 branch here because it’s easy to reach and combine with sightseeing or shopping in Gangnam. It’s currently open from 9:30 AM to 10 PM.
📍 Address: B1F, 381 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
8. Youngpoong Bookstore Hongdae: A Book Break in the Middle of Hongdae
Best for: 🛍️ Big bookstore in Hongdae
Neighborhood: Hongdae
Nearest station: Hongik University Station
Hongdae might be better known for shopping, cafés, nightlife, and street performances, but Youngpoong Bookstore Hongdae is a great place to escape the crowds for a little while. Youngpoong is one of Korea’s major bookstore chains, so expect a broad selection covering Korean fiction, nonfiction, travel, art, magazines, comics, children’s books, and foreign-language titles. The chain also carries stationery and other goods alongside its books.
This is less of a destination bookstore than Kyobo and more of a very convenient addition to a Hongdae day. Pop in between shopping stops, browse the Korean bestsellers, and see what catches your eye. Of course, “I’ll just look for ten minutes” remains an extremely optimistic bookstore strategy.
📚 Don’t miss: Have a look through the foreign-language section as well as the Korean bestseller displays for a peek at what’s currently popular in Korea.
💡 Good to know: This branch is open daily from 11 AM to 10:30 PM, making it an easy stop even if you’re exploring Hongdae later in the day.
📍 Address: 161 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
9. Seochon Geu Chaekbang: A Tiny Bookstore with a Personal Touch
Best for: 🇰🇷 Korean literature & thoughtful recommendations
Neighborhood: Seochon
Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung Station
Hidden down one of Seochon’s quieter alleys, Seochon Geu Chaekbang (서촌 그 책방) is a small independent bookstore where the selection feels genuinely personal. Rather than trying to stock everything, the owner fills the shelves with books she has actually read and loved, with a particular emphasis on Korean authors and books that encourage a little more thinking about life, culture, and the world around us.
One of my favorite details is the handwritten recommendation notes tucked among the books. It makes browsing feel a bit like getting suggestions from a very well-read friend rather than an algorithm. The bookstore also hosts reading groups and other literary gatherings, so it feels as much like a neighborhood book community as a shop.
📚 Don’t miss: Look for the owner’s handwritten book recommendations while browsing the shelves.
💡 Good to know: Photography inside is restricted, so this is one bookstore where the phone can stay in your bag and the books get your full attention.
📍 Address: 30-1 Jahamun-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
10. LSR x Still Books: Where Books Meet Music
Best for: 🎵 Books & music
Neighborhood: Yeouido
Nearest station: Yeouinaru Station
Bookstore or listening room? At LSR x Still Books, you get a little of both. Located inside The Hyundai Seoul, this beautifully curated cultural space brings books, vinyl records, and high-end audio together under one roof. The books span a variety of genres, while records are displayed right alongside them, making browsing feel more like exploring someone’s very stylish personal collection than wandering through a traditional bookstore.
The real fun starts when you put the books down for a minute. Turntables, speakers, and dedicated listening spaces make music just as important as reading here. It’s an easy stop while exploring The Hyundai Seoul, although your “quick bookstore visit” may mysteriously become another hour in the department store.
📚 Don’t miss: Browse the vinyl selection and check out the listening room while you’re there.
💡 Good to know: LSR x Still Books is located on B2 of The Hyundai Seoul and generally follows the department store’s opening hours.
📍 Address: B2F, The Hyundai Seoul, 108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
11. Odd’s Book: A Bookstore You Get Almost to Yourself
Best for: 🔐 Most unusual bookstore
Neighborhood: Sindang-dong
Nearest station: Sindang Station, Exit 1
Odd’s Book is not your typical Seoul bookstore. This tiny unmanned space is designed as a private place to read, write, and slow down, with just one group using each space at a time. Downstairs, the Room of Records encourages you to write and reflect, while upstairs, the cozy Secret Study feels like the kind of hidden reading room you wished you had as a kid.
The books are thoughtfully curated too, with monthly themes and even recommendations based on MBTI personality types. You can read the books inside, browse items available for purchase, or simply enjoy having your own little bookstore hideaway in the middle of increasingly trendy Sindang. Introverts, this one might be for you.
📚 Don’t miss: Check out the monthly book curation and the MBTI book recommendations.
💡 Good to know: Odd’s Book is unmanned and reservation-based. The Room of Records costs ₩7,000 per hour and the Secret Study ₩8,000 per hour, with reservations available through Naver.
📍 Address: 5 Toegye-ro 83-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
12. Seoul Book Bogo: A Treasure Trove of Secondhand Books
Best for: 📚 Used books & unusual finds
Neighborhood: Jamsil / Songpa
Nearest station: Jamsillaru Station
Housed inside a converted warehouse beneath the Jamsil Railway Bridge, Seoul Book Bogo is not your average secondhand bookstore. Created by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this enormous book-filled space brings together used books from independent secondhand bookstores around the city, alongside curated collections, independent publications, exhibitions, and literary programs.
The most recognizable feature is the dramatic tunnel of curved steel bookshelves running through the building. Come for the architecture, then stay for the treasure hunt. Some of the used books available for purchase cost just a few thousand won, so this is one place where “I’ll only buy one” may require considerable self-control.
📚 Don’t miss: Wander through the book tunnel and browse the Used Books Sales Corner for inexpensive secondhand finds.
💡 Good to know: Not everything you see is for sale. Independent publications and donated collections are for reading only. Seoul Book Bogo is closed on Mondays.
📍 Address: 1 Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
13. Propaganda Cinema Store: A Bookstore for Serious Film Nerds
Best for: 🎬 Film lovers
Neighborhood: Sinsa
Nearest station: Sinsa Station
If your bookshelf is slowly being taken over by books about movies, Propaganda Cinema Store might be your kind of place. Created by Seoul-based design studio Propaganda, this unusual showroom is dedicated to cinema, with film books, posters, graphic design, and other movie-related finds packed into a wonderfully niche space. Propaganda itself is known for its work in Korean film poster and graphic design, so there’s some serious movie knowledge behind those shelves.
The displays and themes also change, which makes visiting feel a little more like stepping into a tiny cinema exhibition than browsing a regular bookstore. Basically, if everyone else in your travel group is wondering why anyone needs an entire book about old movie posters, you have found your people.
📚 Don’t miss: Browse Propaganda’s own cinema publications and archival books alongside the film posters and design pieces.
💡 Good to know: This is not a regular walk-in bookstore. The Cinema Store currently opens on limited dates and requires advance reservations, so check its latest opening announcement before planning your visit.
📍 Address: 3F, 30-12 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Where to Find English Books in Seoul
Finding English books in Seoul is easier than you might expect, especially if you know which bookstores to try first. Most of the smaller independent bookstores in this guide focus primarily on Korean-language books and locally published titles, but Seoul’s larger bookstores usually have dedicated foreign-language sections.
For the biggest selection, start with Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun. The Gwanghwamun flagship has a substantial foreign-books section and is my first choice if you’re looking for English-language fiction, nonfiction, travel books, children’s books, or recent international releases. It’s also conveniently located right by Gwanghwamun Square.
For something cheaper, try Aladin Used Bookstore Gangnam. Aladin’s used bookstores have dedicated foreign-book sections, and because the inventory is secondhand, you never quite know what will be waiting on the shelves. That makes it particularly fun for inexpensive novels and unexpected finds.
If you’re specifically hunting for used English books, add Itaewon Books to your list. This long-running bookstore has been around since 1973 and specializes in secondhand foreign-language books, with shelves covering everything from fiction and poetry to travel, history, philosophy, and more. It’s one of those slightly old-school Seoul spots that feels especially fun to browse if you never know what book you’re looking for until you find it.
Youngpoong Bookstore Hongdae is another convenient option if you’re already exploring Hongdae, although I’d choose Kyobo if finding English books is the main purpose of your bookstore trip.
💡 My pick: Go to Kyobo Gwanghwamun for the biggest selection, Itaewon Books for used English books, and Aladin for bargain hunting.
📚 My Seoul Bookstore Crawl: An Afternoon in Seochon
If you want to visit several bookstores without spending half your day on the subway, Seochon is my pick for a Seoul bookstore crawl. The neighborhood just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace is filled with little galleries, cafés, old alleys, and independent bookstores, making it perfect for a slow afternoon of browsing.
Start at Seochon Geu Chaekbang, one of the bookstores from this guide, for its carefully selected Korean literature and handwritten recommendations. From there, wander deeper into Seochon and add a few smaller specialty bookstores depending on what catches your interest. Korea Tourism Organization currently highlights several bookshops within this compact area, covering everything from contemporary art and photography to science and Korean literature.
A simple Seochon bookstore route
- Seochon Geu Chaekbang 🇰🇷
Start with Korean literature and locally curated recommendations. - The Book Society 🎨
Browse independent publications and books related to contemporary art. - Ofr. Séoul 🇫🇷
Pop into the Seoul outpost of the Parisian independent bookstore for art books, design, posters, and creative goods. - Boan Books 🖼️
Finish near Gyeongbokgung Palace with literature, art, and humanities books inside the historic Boan Inn cultural complex.
💡 My tip: Don’t treat this like a checklist. Pick three or four bookstores, stop for coffee somewhere in between, and give yourself around 3 to 4 hours to wander. Seochon is much more fun when you leave time for the little shops and alleys you discover along the way.
What to Know Before Visiting Bookstores in Seoul
Visiting bookstores in Seoul is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things worth knowing before you start filling your tote bag with books you definitely have room for in your suitcase.
📚 Most books will be in Korean.
This sounds obvious, but it matters particularly at the smaller indie bookstores. Places like YOUR-MIND, Storage Book & Film, and Seochon Geu Chaekbang are worth visiting for their Korean publications, art books, photography books, and creative goods even if you don’t read Korean. For a larger selection of English books, stick with Kyobo Book Centre, Youngpoong, or Aladin.
📸 Don’t assume photography is allowed.
Some independent bookstores restrict photography inside, particularly photos of book pages, displays, or other visitors. YOUR-MIND and Seochon Geu Chaekbang are two places where you’ll want to pay attention to the rules. When in doubt, ask before taking photos.
🗓️ Check opening days before visiting indie bookstores.
The big chains are generally easy to visit, but Seoul’s independent bookstores often have shorter hours and weekly closing days. Some may also close temporarily for events or personal schedules. This is especially important for somewhere like Propaganda Cinema Store, which isn’t a regular walk-in bookstore at all.
💳 Cards are usually the easiest way to pay.
You shouldn’t need to carry a stack of cash just for bookstore shopping. That said, having a little Korean won with you is never a bad idea when exploring smaller independent shops.
🧳 Remember that books get heavy very quickly.
This is perhaps the most important tip of all. One beautifully designed Korean book feels like a lovely souvenir. Seven beautifully designed Korean books feel very different when you’re standing at the airport baggage scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bookstores in Seoul
What is the best bookstore in Seoul?
If you only have time for one, I’d choose Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun. It’s Korea’s first large-scale bookstore and combines a huge book selection with stationery, gifts, accessories, cafés, and other shops. Its location right by Gwanghwamun Square also makes it incredibly easy to add to a day of sightseeing.
For something smaller and more uniquely Seoul, try YOUR-MIND or Storage Book & Film instead.
Where can I buy English books in Seoul?
Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun is a convenient first stop for new English books, while Aladin Used Bookstore is better for bargain hunting and secondhand finds.
For used English books specifically, Itaewon Books is worth knowing about. It has been around since 1973 and specializes primarily in used foreign-language books, including fiction, poetry, philosophy, travel, history, and more.
What is the biggest bookstore in Seoul?
Visit Korea currently describes the Jongno branch of Youngpoong Bookstore as the country’s largest bookstore, with more than 350,000 Korean and international books plus stationery, gifts, electronics, and other departments.
Kyobo Gwanghwamun is arguably the more iconic bookstore experience for a first-time visitor, but “biggest” and “best” are not necessarily the same thing.
Where can I buy Korean books in Seoul?
Almost every bookstore in this guide sells Korean books, but Kyobo Book Centre is the easiest choice if you want a huge selection covering many genres.
For something more curated, head to Seochon Geu Chaekbang, which specifically highlights books by Korean authors and books that showcase the beauty of the Korean language.
Are there independent bookstores in Seoul?
Absolutely. Seoul has a thriving indie bookstore scene, with shops specializing in everything from independent publishing and photography to Korean literature, art, and film.
Some of my favorites in this guide are YOUR-MIND, Storage Book & Film, NOT JUST BOOKS, and Seochon Geu Chaekbang. Seochon is particularly good if you want to visit several independent bookstores in one afternoon.
Where can I buy used books in Seoul?
For an easy secondhand bookstore experience, try Aladin Used Bookstore, which has multiple locations around Seoul.
For something more atmospheric, Seoul Book Bogo brings together secondhand books and collections in a huge cultural space, while the Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street is home to around ten old-school used bookstores selling older books and magazines, with the occasional foreign-language find.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Favorite Bookstore in Seoul
Seoul’s bookstore scene is much more varied than you might expect. You can lose an hour inside a massive bookstore in Gwanghwamun, hunt for secondhand treasures in Gangnam, discover tiny independent publications in Haebangchon, or spend an afternoon hopping between little bookshops in Seochon.
If it’s your first bookstore experience in Seoul, I’d start with Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun for the full experience. For something smaller and more independent, YOUR-MIND and Storage Book & Film are two of my favorites from this list. AnRak is my pick if you want Korean books, design, and genuinely interesting souvenirs all in one place. And if you want something completely different, Odd’s Book or Propaganda Cinema Store prove that a bookstore definitely doesn’t have to be just rows of shelves.
You certainly don’t need to visit all 13. Pick one that fits naturally into the neighborhood you’re already exploring, leave a little room in your schedule for browsing, and maybe leave a little room in your suitcase too. That second part is easier said than done.
Keep Exploring Seoul
Planning more time in Seoul? These guides will help you put the rest of your trip together:
📖 13 Best Book Cafés in Seoul
🗺️ Seoul Travel Guide
📅 3-Day Seoul Itinerary
🌸 Seoul’s Hidden Gems
🏡 Things to Do in Ikseon-dong
🏯 Bukchon Hanok Village Guide
☕ Best Cafés in Seoul
🏨 Where to Stay in Seoul
I’m Linda, a German-American travel creator living in South Korea since 2015.
I share realistic Korea travel guides, hotel tips, hidden gems, and family-friendly ideas from my life here.
Featured by / worked with: Visit Seoul, Korea Tourism Organization, DK Eyewitness
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