6 Best Places to Shop in Seoul, South Korea

Opened in 2021 as part of the Parc 1 mixed-use complex, the Hyundai Seoul is the largest department store in the country with an area covering approximately 13 football fields. Not only is it a haven for shopping enthusiasts with its five floors of on-trend fashion and luxury labels, but the sleek, design-forward space also features 90 restaurants, a hanging garden, and a gallery with more than 200 works.

Gangnam has become defined by its love affair with luxury brands, and nowhere will you find a greater concentration of shops dedicated to these high-end goods than the Galleria Department Store at Apgujeong Rodeo Station. The store, which is spread out among two buildings (Luxury Hall East and Luxury Hall West) features international brands such as Prada, Bally, Ferragamo, Fendi, Tod's, Armani, Gucci, and more. There are also high-end jewelers, and Gourmet 494, a food boutique located in the basement.

Since 1985, this has operated as Hyundai's flagship store, with upscale shops selling designer brands, restaurants, household goods, food, and more. The rooftop is home to the Sky Park garden, where you can relax among the bamboo and birch trees and watch the clouds drift by.

Open since 1979, the Lotte Department Store is a major landmark in the area. Spanning fourteen floors and two buildings, the department store is known for their selection of cosmetics on the first floor and options for young women in their annex, Lotte Young Plaza. The department store also has a reputable food court and grocery shop on the basement level.

As if Lotte didn't have enough of a presence in Jamsil, they also have a department store right across from their mall. This store opened in 1988 to coincide with the Olympic Games and predates the rest of the Lotte properties, which makes it seem a bit dated as a result. Don't let the years fool you, though: this is a dialed-in place of modern commerce with luxury brands and everything else you would expect from such a mega store. The real selling point is the food court, which offers a wide range of Korean and international choices. If you're in Jamsil and can't decide where to eat, look no further.

Korea's oldest department store, the main branch of Shinsegae has more character than its rivals. The mall has local boutiques, international brands like Tiffany's, Hermès, and Chanel as well as a prominent Boon The Shop (a modern Korean clothing store that carries global designers). To call the basement a high-end supermarket doesn't do it justice. For first-time visitors to Korea, it is an experience in itself. The mall is also known for its Christmas decorations, on display from November to January.