- jmineo
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 3
- Reviews
Itaewon
- January 31, 2006
- Rated 1 of 5 by
annylee80 from Norwalk, California
We got to look around the stores. I didn't buy too much because I can't bargain yet, BUT one seller let me buy four hats for $30. Was that good???? He ran after us because he changed his mind. (He first offered them for $40). We also ate ddukbokgee (rice cakes in spicy sauce), oh deng (fish cakes), and goh goomah (sweet potato) on the streets!!! So fun! There were a lot of Americans, Europeans, and Nigerians around, so most people visiting won't feel out of place at all. They have Outbacks, Burger Kings, Dunkin' Donuts... you name it, they've got it all over Seoul. I definitely wouldn't recommend buying things in Itaewon. They're too expensive. Check out other places (see my journal).
From journal Visit to Motherland-S. Korea
Editor Pick
Itaewon Market - Cheap Knock-offs
- January 7, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
jmineo from L.A., California
Okay, for those of you risk takers. There is a huge black market within the confines of the Itaewon market. As an example, I went in to a jewelry store and asked to look at some Tag Heuer watches to compare prices with the U.S. prices. The friendly clerk reached down under the counter (hidden away...my first suspicion) and quickly produced a tray of watches in individually wrapped plastic bags (my second suspicion). There had to have been 40 watches on this tray, ranging from Rolex to Tag to Gucci. I asked the clerk the price of a cute Tag Heuer I locked onto.
At the moment I'm thinking my wife would be ecstatic if I could come home and quote a significant price differential, then agree to purchase for her on my next trip to Seoul. In a heavy Korean accent, she spurted out "Twenty dollar...special G.I. price" (suspicion confirmed). I could have just walked out then, but part of me convinced the whole me to pick up the watch and inspect further, which then I made up my mind that I didn't want to hand my wife a surprise package upon return from this trip, having her think that is all I thought of her *smile*. Moral of the story....if you can live with the consequences.....there are some good, cheap knock-off items to be had at Itaewon.
From journal Excursions From My Biz Trip to Seoul
Itaewon Marketplace
- January 1, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
jmineo from L.A., California
Be sure to take a stroll down Itaewon Market in downtown Seoul if ever visiting. Vendors are selling their wares outside as well as inside just off the Itaewon main drag. Excellent prices on leather goods, mink blankets, and electronics. They even have people on the sidewalks that will pack your items, no matter how big or fragile for shipping stateside. A few people have asked me about the mink blankets in particular, which actually are not made with "mink" fur at all. They are a combination nylon and rayon with a very fuzzy feel to them and may be used as bedspreads or blankets for those cold winter nights. You can find any design imagineable on these things. Normal cost for a king-size mink blanket -- about twenty bucks. You CAN find these items in asian communities within the U.S., however the selection is minimal and will probably run you 50% more. The electronics market of Itaewon is a popular place for Americans. As an example a 17" Flat Screen Display made by Daewoo was $700. That will run you double in the U.S. But you take the chance of something going afoul and having to return it to a vendor who may not be there the next month.
From journal Excursions From My Biz Trip to Seoul