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Itaewon Street

Pirate43 guide
Pirate43 guide
First Reviewer
2 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
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1-4 of 4

G.I. and Sleazy

  • February 20, 2008
  • Rated 1 of 5 by Mr. Eslinger from Ft. Riley, Kansas
As a Service-Member formally stationed in Korea, I took a trip to the nearby Yongsan garrison one weekend to walk around Itaewon district.

Itaewon felt nothing more than an attempt to amuse Soldiers and provide a sense of America in Korea. The majority of the bars here have hostess ladies to accompany the less fortunate fools willing to spend a few dollars on them. The shopping is great if you like cheap knock-offs of your typical overpriced retailers like Nike, FUBU, etc.

Itaewon is not worth your time if you are trying to experience the real Korea.

Editor Pick

Itaewon

  • October 21, 2001
  • Rated 2 of 5 by John Lamb from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Going to Itaewon is a little like a Korean version of Tiajuna. Plenty of people willing to take your money. It is the favorite hangout for the soldiers so plenty of short-haired men are running around. At night, the place is wild and full of drunk people.

There are some good deals on clothes however. Silk ties for 3 dollars and tailored suits for 100 bucks. Itaewon is known for leather goods also and cheap prices.

Mike's Gallery, next to McDonald's, offers some great hand-made paintings for reasonable prices. I bought a huge hand-painted scroll mounted on silk for 30 dollars.

Near the mosque is a great second-hand English bookstore. For those in need of literature, I highly recommend visiting this place. There is a wide variety of books there and even some first editions and the such.

For eating, Gecko's is quite popular and offers a nice menu of American-style food. The chicken sandwich is quite good. As for bars, there are plenty to choose from. At midnight at the Grand Ole Opry, the play "Proud to Be an American" and it is fun to hear the soldiers sing along.

From journal Visiting Seoul

It'aewon

  • April 10, 2001
  • Rated 1 of 5 by globe trotter from Manchester, United Kingdom
This is the most famous 'market' in Seoul - although it is more like a street with roadside shops & stalls than a real market. The shop keepers are very wise to tourists in this area & although you're expected to bargain they'll probably still try & charge you over the odds! I didn't really like this area - it was full of rip off brand bags & clothes & felt quite sleazy - but if that's what you're interested in buying, you'll love it here!

From journal A weekend in Seoul

Editor Pick

Itaewon

  • December 11, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Pirate43 guide from Richmond, Virginia
It would be hard to get through all the shops here in a day or two. If you need a wallet, this is a great place to get an eelskin one for about 5 dollars. I still have mine and wish I had purchased more as gifts. My wife found out her feet are a complete size different so she had custom shoes made for her within 3 days and she has raved about them since. We kept the address, her measurements are on file with the owner so she sends him a picture and he creates a new pair whenever she wishes. A lot better price than the U.S. also, even with shipping. There are a lot of hawkers around this area wanting to fit you with a new suit but they aren't overly pushy. Jewelry is a good deal here also. There are over 1500 shops here. Sport shoes are a big selling item. I didn't go nightclubing here but have been told it is good. Cuban cigars here but expensive.

From journal Seoul, Korea

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