UNIQLO and Our Town
[Seoul, Myeongdong]
UNIQLO is part of the community. This time we’re delving into the Myeongdong area of Seoul, where UNIQLO is opening a global flagship store this spring. This walkable district brilliantly blends classic and modern impressions.
Seoul is winning fans all over the world through its culture and food. Centrally located Myeongdong offers the perfect interplay of old-time charm and bracing innovation. Just a block away from all the brand-name stores, you’ll find a town that comes alive with food vendors at night. Walk through the old-time underground arcade, and you’ll surface right in front of a sophisticated boutiques. Here’s a glimpse at some of Myeongdong’s classic spots that continue to thrive in this ever-changing area.
UNIQLO Myeongdong
This spring, we’re opening UNIQLO Myeongdong, a new global flagship store in the first three floors of a hotel building in this bustling area. Boasting 3,200 m2 of retail space, the store has services like UTme! and RE.UNIQLO STUDIO as well as pickup lockers on the first floor. The massive LED logo is just right for the modern facade.
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung District, Seoul
Seven Myeongdong Classics
CD & Record Store, Buruttrak
Buruttrak (“Garden of Taste”) opened for business in 1978 and has been operating out of the current four-floor building since 1995. Famously used as a location in films like The Contact (1997) and the 2012 drama Reply 1997, the store feels like a time warp back into the late 1990s. The first two floors, stocked with K-pop and soundtracks to Korean dramas, are popular with tourists, hence the selection of branded goods. Visit the third floor for an assortment of classical records.
1-4F, 37-1 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Coffee & Tea, Eulji Dabang
Established in 1985, Eulji is a bastion of Korea’s “dabang” cafe culture. Popular items include ssanghwa-tang (6,000 KRW), a traditional herbal tea served with an egg yolk, but the naeng-keopi (iced coffee, 5,000 KRW) is not to be missed. Until second wave and third wave coffee hit Korea, this chilled drink served with milk and sugar was the people’s choice.
2F, 124-1 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
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Myeongdong’s Classic Underground
Located in central Seoul, historic Myeongdong charms visitors with its labyrinthine streets. Here and there, you’ll find still more streets underground, giving walkers a way to zip from one place to the next. Don’t miss the shops along the underground streets connecting Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong, or Euljiro and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. This is a great place to check out a unique aspect of life in Seoul, where everyday shoppers mingle with those fleeing the heat, the cold, or rainy weather.
Built in the booming 1960s and 1970s, these subterranean streets have no shortage of old-school shops. Located only a few minutes on foot from UNIQLO Myeongdong is the Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center, another blast from the past. Opened in the late 1970s, this arcade has loads of shops devoted to analog media like records, stamps, coins, cameras, and books.
These underground streets also function like a pipeline linking otherwise disconnected areas. Some of the connections may come as quite the surprise!
Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center
58 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Italian Restaurant, La Cantina
The first Italian restaurant in Korea opened in 1967. For ages, these opulent interiors have been synonymous with a certain kind of Western cuisine in Seoul. For something special, order the off-menu Samsung Set (55,000 KRW), named after the founder of Samsung Group, who was a regular. The tried-and-true combo of bread, soup, pasta, salad, steak, dessert and coffee is sure to leave you feeling satisfied.
B1F, Samsung Bldg., 19 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun
The flagship store of Kyobo Book Centre, Korea’s largest chain, is located at the heart of Seoul in Gwanghwamun Plaza. Opened in 1981 on the basement level of the Kyobo Life Insurance building, designed by César Pelli and built in 1980. The sprawling 8,595 m2 space has a huge selection of literature, art books, and business-related volumes along with departments for knickknacks and stationery, as well as a gallery featuring paintings by literary greats. Far more than a bookstore, this is a favorite meet-up spot and a destination for the entire family.
B1F, Kyobo Life Insurance Co. Bldg., 1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Cold Noodles, Jinju Hoegwan
Located on the west side of Myeongdong, the City Hall district is another bustling historic area full of beloved shops. This noodle restaurant opened in 1962 is a perfect place to try Kongguksu (16,000 KRW), a summer staple. Jinju Hoegwan makes the soy milk broth of this cold noodle dish extra thick. The beany flavor shines through without any additional salt. We recommend seasoning with a bit of the house-made napa cabbage kimchi.
26 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tea, Arcade Tove
Cafe opened in 2025 in the basement of the Korea Press Center building, erected 1985. The striking interior feels like a time capsule, just right for the modern jazz playing from high-end speakers. Try the popular lemon jelly (6,000 KRW) with teas like oolong (10,000-11,000 KRW), white tea (11,000 KRW), or black tea (15,000 KRW). There’s also a daily special featuring black tea and shaved ice (17,000 KRW).
B1F, Korea Press Center, 124 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Isaac Toast Seoul Myeongdong
Korean toast, fried on an iron griddle, is a classic Seoul breakfast. This chain makes it easy to sample the dish. Many of the menu items feature the shop’s namesake Isaac Sauce, which adds a bit of sweetness to everything from the Ham Cheese toast (3,300 KRW) to the signature Grilled Bulgalbi toast (5,000 KRW), all at reasonable prices and just-right portions. Perfect for when you’re feeling peckish while shopping or for breakfast, since the store opens at seven in the morning.
105 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
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Modern Twists on Classic Souvenirs
Nine-piece wooden box of yakgwa cookies from HAAP
30,000 KRW
Yakgwa is a traditional Korean dessert. Consisting of batter fried in oil and immersed in jocheong (a Korean sweetener, similar to mizuame), yakgwa are a traditional treat eaten on holidays. These oven-baked cookies from HAAP have a lighter flavor. Available in six flavors: shoyu, yuzu, goma, kurogoma, peanut and kurumi. Cookies can be purchased individually at the shop cafe.
2F, ARARIO MUSEUM new wing, 83 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
SOILBAKER shot cups
30,000 KRW
Original designs by SOILBAKER, a brand that makes tableware from Korean clay. These stubby cups, the kind often seen when drinking soju, work just as well as egg cups or small serving dishes. 50 mm diameter / 52 mm tall / 60 ml capacity
#202, 2F, Shina Memorial Hall, 33 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Spoon and chopstick set from The Horang
39,000 KRW
Cutlery set from artisanal outfitters The Horang. The finish on these environmentally friendly titanium utensils makes them resistant to scratching, helping them retain their gorgeous luster for the long haul. Free engraving at the store.
40 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Photography by Siyoung Song
- Illustrations by Limoo
- Selection & Text by Jinon Kim (Tokyo Dabansa)
*All prices and information current as of December 2025.
