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Itaewon street |
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Description
Itaewon is the most exotic place in Seoul representing fusion culture
with a distinctive atmosphere. Many people say, “You may not know
Seoul, but you should know Itaewon,” showing how renowned of a
shopping district Itaewon is. The Itaewon shopping area covers a 1.4
km long street, stretching from Itaewon 1-dong eastwards to Hannam
2-dong. The area has a vibrant ambience with shops, restaurants, bars
and street vendors. Most signboards are written in English, and often
seen are English speaking people on the street.
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Clothing
Clothing shops of hip hop style, casual wear, formal suit are
clustered in Itaewon. Unlike other shopping districts, big & tall
sizes and exotic clothing are well prepared. Good quality leather
goods are abundant, and even personal orders are accepted. Most
tailors have been established for over fifteen to thirty years.
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Bags
A variety of bags from suitcases, to casual backpacks are available.
‘Chungnamsanghoe’ is a good shop for suitcases and briefcases and
Samsonite for high quality suitcases. There are bunch of other shops
dealing with leather bags.
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Shoes
Various options are offered from world-class brands to unique no name
brand goods. Nike and Adidas in Itaewon provide large size shoes and
many designs. There are also a bunch of leather shoes stores
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Antique Furniture
Antique Street in Itaewon is especially popular among non-Koreans.
Shops carry small interior items as well as expensive antique
furniture. Most antiques are from the Goryo and Joseon Dynasties.
Personal orders of reproduction products are accepted. Small antique
goods make good gift items.
Transportation and Map
- Seoul Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station Exit 1,2,3 or 4
 
 
 
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Noted Shops
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Hilton
Hilton is the prominent tailor’s shop, even visited by celebrities
like Luciano Pavarotti and Steven Seagal. On the wall of the shop are
various textiles and the photos of celebrities who have visited the
shop.
Tel: +82-2-792-1196 (Kor)
Open hours: 09:00 - 21:00
Closed Day: Open year round
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North Beach
North Beach specializes in leather goods, especially items of cowhide
and sheepskin. The shop has its own factory, and exports some of the
items. North Beach accepts personal orders as well.
Tel: +82-2-793-6098 (Kor) /
http://www.northbeach.co.kr (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open hours: 09:30 - 21:00
Closed day: Open year round
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Sister's House
Sister's House specializes in hip-hop style clothing and accessories.
A full range of hip hop style clothing, such as T-shirts, pants and
jackets, are sold. Hip-hop music harmonizes with the unique interior
of the shop.
Tel: +82-2-793-5742 (Kor)
Open hours: 11:00 - 23:30
Closed day: Open year round
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Morning Calm
Morning Calm is an antique furniture shop. The shop carries practical
interior items like candlesticks and ceramics as well as large
articles like antique sofas, display cabinets, and drawers. The
antique furniture is refined and elegant.
Tel: +82-2-790-2420 (Kor)
Open hours: 09:30 - 19:00
Closed day: Every other Monday
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Asian Deco
Both Korean and Chinese antique furniture are sold at Asian Deco. The
shop carries items such as small interior articles and large pieces of
antique furniture such as drawers and cabinets with various price
options. (Ex. Display cabinet: One hundred U.S. dollars to two
thousand U.S. dollars/small items: ten U.S. dollars to one hundred
U.S. dollars)
Tel: +82-2-792-4938 (Kor/Eng/Jap)
Open hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Closed day: Open year round
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Genuine
Genuine sells original brand name goods at a 30-40% discount. Products
of world-class brand names, such as PRADA, Ferragamo and Gucci, are
sold at duty-free shop prices.
Tel: +82-2-790-8889 (Kor)
Open hours: 09:00 - 21:00
Closed day: Open year round
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Samsonite
The shop mostly carries Samsonite bags and shoes. Briefcases and
backpacks are found in abundance. Backpacks of simple but colorful
design are popular items among non-Koreans.
Tel: +82-2-798-1850 (Kor)
Open hours: 10:00 - 20:30
Close day: Lunar New Year's Day and Korean Thanksgiving Day(Chuseok)
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Nike
Nike (Itaewon Branch) carries sportswear, shoes, T-shirts and
miscellaneous goods at 10-25% discounts. Various kinds of items and
the discounted prices attract many customers.
Tel: +82-2-798-6459 (Kor)
Open hours: 09:00 - 21:30
Closed day: Open year round
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In Toto
In Toto specializes in leather goods: carrying bags, clothing, shoes,
wallets and belts. Leather clothing in this shop is recognized for its
simple design and refined color. Personal orders are accepted.
Tel: +82-2-794-0447 (Kor)
Open hours: 09:00 - 21:00
Closed day: Every second Wednesday of the month, Lunar New Year's Day
and Korean Thanksgiving Day(Chuseok)
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Food
Itaewon houses
a variety of international restaurants. Indian, Thai, Pakistani, and
Mexican foods as well as Korean food are available. The prominent
Korean restaurants are ‘Cheongsachorong’ (Hanjeongsik restaurant) and
‘Itaewon Galbi’. Opened in 1984, ‘Moghul’ is the one and only
Pakistani food restaurant in Korea. ‘Thai Orchid’ attracts many Thai
food lovers with its authentic and savory Thai food. All That Jazz
offers live jazz performances played by talented musicians. The
Australian-theme family restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, is also found
in Itaewon along with a bunch of fast food restaurants near Itaewon
Subway Station.
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Cheongsachorong
Located in the heart of Itaewon, Cheongsachorong specializes in
Hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote). The specialty of the restaurant is
the royal cuisine. Traditional folk dances are performed from 7:00 pm
to 7:30 pm. The flavorful food and traditional performance draw
foreign tourists.
Tel: +82-2-794-1177(Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours: 11:30-10:00
Closed Day: Open Year Round
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Itaewon Galbi
For over 13 years, Itaewon Galbi has been serving more than 20 kinds
of Korean dishes, such as Galbi, Bulgogi, Yukhoe (a dish of minced raw
beef), Naengmyeon (cold noodles), Doenjang Jjigae (soy-bean paste
stew), and Pajeon (fried pan cake of green onions). The restaurant
also provides menus written in English and Japanese for foreign
tourists.
Tel:: +82-2-795-9716 (Kor)
Open Hours:: 11:00-22:30
Closed Day: : Open Year Round
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Mughul
Opened in 1984, Mughul is the only Pakistani restaurant in Korea. The
restaurant mainly serves meat dishes adding twelve kinds of spices.
All the staff, from cooks to servers, is Pakistani.
Tel: +82-2-796-5501(Kor)
Open Hours: 12:00-22:30
Closed Day: Open Year Round
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Thai Orchid
Thai Orchid is celebrated for its savory and authentic Thai food in
Itaewon. The restaurant serves more than 100 Thai dishes and all the
staffs are native Thai.
Tel: +82-2-792-8836 (Kor)
Open Hours: 12:00-22:30
Closed Day: Open Year Round
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Tourist Information
Center
Four TICs are
available in Itaewon, one in the Itaewon Subway Station, and three
others on the street. Itaewon TICs offer brochures, leaflets and maps
of Itaewon, not to mention the English, Japanese and Chinese speaking
staff. Free Internet access is provided at the TIC in the subway
station.
Tourist Information Center ("TIC")
(Inside Subway Station)
Tel: +82-2-3785-2514 (Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours: 09:00-21:00
Closed Day: None
(In front of Kookmin Bank, Itaewon Subway Station Exit 3)
Tel: +82-2-792-9070(Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours: Nov.~Feb. 10:00-21:00/Mar.~Oct. 10:00-22:00
Closed Day: None
(Towards Samjakji)
Tel: +82-2-794-2490(Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours: Nov.~Feb. 09:00-17:00/ Mar.~Oct. 09:00-18:00
Closed Day: None
(Woori Bank)
Tel: +82-2-794-5579(Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours: Nov.~Feb. 09:00-17:00/ Mar.~Oct. 09:00-18:00
Closed Day: None |
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Shopping tips
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Itaewon holds the Spring
Festival in May, and the Autumn Festival in October. It gives foreign
tourists a valuable opportunity to experience traditional cultural
games and various events
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Most shops in Itaewon fix
prices
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If possible avoid the
weekends as it is crowded. Go during the day on weekdays for shopping
in Itaewon
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Shop around Itaewon during
the daytime, and spend the night at one of the unique bars or
restaurants.
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The Islamic Mosque is
outstanding in Itaewon with its unique architectural style. Services
are held five times a day, and it might be an interesting experience
to attend one of the services. Islamic food is provided after Sunday
service.
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Itaewon
Insights
Bob Adams
from the U.S. came to Korea on vacation.
Q : What is your impression on Itaewon?
A : I like Itaewon in that it’s exotic with a variety of
international restaurants and shops. Also with so many foreigners on
the street makes me comfortable.
Q : What are on your shopping list?
A : I’m buying clothing for myself, especially leather goods.
It is good to find that shops in Itaewon have big & tall size clothing
for someone like me. You know, I had trouble at other shopping
districts finding my size. Also, good quality leather goods are
abundant in terms of style and size. It’s fun to shop around Itaewon.
I visited several antique shops to get a gift for my wife. After
looking at some exquisite antique furniture, I’m so into antiques now.
I wish I could take one of the big display cabinets. I got a little
wooden jewelry box for my wife.
Q : Do you have any other comments on Itaewon?
A : In some parts of Itaewon where no brand shops are
clustered, shopkeepers come out on the street and drag tourist’s
sleeves to push products. It wasn’t good. |
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 Information
provided by Korea National Tourism Organization. |
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