With a population of almost 10 million, Seoul is one of Asia’s largest and most vibrant metropolises. City workers spill out of futuristic skyscrapers at the end of the day, heading to the city’s delicious and varied restaurants. On the weekends, nightlife rules—think neon-signed karaoke spots and lively bars in addition to the popular grab-and-go eateries. By day, however, the city is an underrated shopper’s paradise. Forget the high-fashion boutiques (although you’ll find those here, too), as it’s all about neighborhood hotspots. From ceramic studios to sustainable zero-waste havens, these are the best places for shopping in Seoul.
Crafted curios
Soluna Living, the craft-centric Seoul outpost of Hong Kong-based Soluna Fine Art, works with expert makers around South Korea to produce homeware and objets d’art that marry contemporary designs with ancient skills. The pint-sized shop and gallery space features fine basketry by Jeong Da-hye, who employs an intricate horsehair-weaving technique traditionally used for men’s headwear; colorful goblets by glass-blowing artist Glory G; and handmade hapjukseon bamboo fans made by a fourth-generation master craftsman in Jeonju.
Ilsangyeoback craft galleryChris Schalkx
Paper trail
Hanji, a durable, richly textured paper made from mulberry tree bark and a paste of hibiscus manihot root, has been a Korean craft staple for centuries. Until the 1970s, the streets of the Insa-dong district were lined with workshops selling hanji to craftspeople and artists, who used it for everything from floor coverings to canvases for calligraphy. Today, the family-run Dong Yang Hanji is one of just a handful of specialists. Rolls of hanji in every texture, color and thickness line the walls of the two-story space, ranging from smooth letter-sized pages to premium multi-ply options. Many of the papers are produced by the family’s workshop and material research centre in Gimpo, just north of Seoul, and some are sourced from small-scale workshops around the country.
