Dongmyo - A hidden gem in Korea

In this post, we're going to a hidden gem in Korea where you can go treasure hunting. 

Welcome to Dongmyo Flea Market!

This place is perfect for anyone who loves vintage clothing and unique antiques. So let’s get started!

 

History

Dongmyo is famous worldwide, especially after designer Kiko Kostadinov mentioned how he drew inspiration from the street fashion of the 'Dongmyo uncles.' He even called it one of  the best streets in the world. The distinctive style of these ' uncles' originates from the variety of secondhand clothes available at the market. Here, you can find clothes for as little as $1 (= 1,000 won) per piece. It's a true treasure hunt!

 

What is Dongmyo?

At Dongmyo, you’ll find both street vendors and secondhand clothing stores. The stores have a higher quality selection since the owners have curated the pieces themselves, but they are still very affordable. If you're short on time, I recommend starting with the stores.

Dongmyo offers a wide range of clothing styles, making it the perfect place to try out something new at a low price. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s a great spot to see a variety of Korean fashion.

Besides clothes, you can find a wide range of items like old cameras, kitchenware, chargers, and even groceries at very low prices. It’s a great place for unique finds.

There’s also a wide selection of accessories such as sunglasses, watches, and rings.

 

* Today, we’re joined by our Russian friends, who are eager to find some cool vintage outfits. We went to Dongmyo for a first-hand review!

 

Know this

Dongmyo offers a wide range of clothing styles, making it the perfect place to try out something new at a low price. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s a great spot to see a variety of Korean fashion.

However, Dongmyo has a major drawback—because it's secondhand, there’s usually only one size available for each item. That’s why it truly feels like a treasure hunt. If you find something you like and want to try it on, you can ask in Korean, "옷 입어 볼 수 있을까요? (Can I try this on?)".

It’s important to try on clothes to see if they fit, even if it seems like a hassle at first. You’ll quickly get the hang of finding the right pieces for you. Keep in mind that some stores don’t allow you to try on clothes. For instance, we found a pair of pants that we couldn’t try on before buying.

 

A full-scale treasure hunt!

Our friend Victor managed to score a bag, two pairs of pants, and a shirt for just $60 (= 65,000 won) in total, which is less than the price of a single item in some stores! While shopping here can be a bit inconvenient, the unbeatable prices make it worth it.

Victor also got a vintage bag that normally sells for 140,000 won for just 20,000 won here. I also found a nearly new shirt for summer at just $8 (= 10,000 won), and the hats were only $9 (= 10,000 won) each!

 

Tips for Dongmyo

Don’t hesitate to ask for an additional $4 (= 5,000 won) discount if something feels a bit pricey. I did that with these items and got them for $22 (= 25,000 won) and $13 (= 15,000 won) each after negotiating with the seller.

At this market, cash is essential if you want to get a discount, and many vendors don’t accept cards, so make sure to bring enough cash with you.

However, I wouldn’t recommend buying branded items here because there are a lot of knock-offs. Instead, focus on finding vintage pieces that suit you. The sellers often don’t know if an item is genuine or fake, so if you do buy a branded item, make sure to ask if you can return it if it turns out to be a fake.

Most shops don’t have fitting rooms, so you might have to try things on over your clothes.

 

I recommend store

- ROOS

My recommended vintage store is called 'ROOS'. Prices are clearly marked, so you won’t have to worry about getting overcharged, even if you’re traveling as a foriengner. Plus, they have fitting rooms where you can try things on comfortably. At Dongmyo, many shops don’t display prices, and some might try to overcharge foreigners.

 

Finish our Dongmyo shopping

You’ll also find food vendors selling things like silkworm 'pupae (beondegi)'. It might seem strange, but it’s a snack for many Koreans. I even offered some to Victor. He said it has a nutty flavor!

 

After browsing the clothes, we headed over to check out some dishware. This place is known as the ‘dishware graveyard’ among Koreans. You can find everything from Starbucks mugs to Asia unique brand-name dishware piled up and sold at low prices. It’s another great spot for treasure hunting. Just be sure to check for any cracks before buying. Picking up a unique dish here makes for a special Korean souvenir.

Lastly, if you’re hungry after shopping, I recommend Dongmyo Chicken Noodle Soup. For just $8 (= 10,000 won), you get a hearty meal of half a chicken and noodles. My friends had dinner plans, so I ate alone, and it was delicious.

 

Today we went on a treasure hunt at Dongmyo, Korea's largest vintage market! It's a great place to visit every season as there's something different for sale each time, and I hope you'll check it out too.

I'll be making more posts about Korea in the future. Check out more posts on how to enjoy Korea to the fullest.

See you in the next post!

 

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