Korea is becoming a shoppers paradise - one main reason is the quality and design of things 'made in Korea': good & unique. It is interesting to note that while in Korea, things made in Korea are relatively more expensive. It is a long debate as to why Korean things are sold at much higher rate in Korea - I'd rather focus on my post!
In case you are a student - who moved with only 20 kilos of FREE baggage allowed, with or without a scholarship and less opportunity to bring with you the basics such as your tupperware, mugs, plates, forks etc - then what are the places, stores and neighborhood that you should NOT miss during your stay in Korea. Well, the list can be long as Korea is full of huge stores, shopping malls, subway underground malls, university neighborhood shopping districts, Truck stores and traditional markets to name a few. My pick of the day is Daiso - Korea...where one can spend hours, can literally find just about anything you need in your life and be totally happy...
Daiso (다이소) is the same as the Dollar Store in the US or a 100 Yen Stores in Japan or IKEA of Sweden...actually hybrid of all these three is DAISO-다이소! Price range is 500 won-8,000 won.
Daiso Korea
Daisō (ザ・ダイソー) is the largest franchise of 100-yen shops in Japan owned by Daiso Sangyo Corp. (株式会社大創産業, with headquarters in Hiroshima Prefecture). Daiso has a range of over 100,000 goods, of which over 40 percent are imported goods, many of them from China. Daiso sets itself apart from other 100 yen shops by purchasing directly from manufacturers in very high volume, a strategy often compared to Wal-mart.
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| My shopping @ Daiso last week: rice bowls, scrubbers, lock and glue, olives |
DAISO Korea has a full fledged website and Daiso online shopping option too, which I just found out while writing about Daiso. The website says that they have weekend sales on many products for up to 20% off. This is great when we have free delivery!!
Last week I bought myself these sleepers for only 1.5$ (USD)or 2,000 won (Rs.120). - good for the continuous rainy weather - very light & comfortable - it won't break heart while disposing off things. This Hello Kitty bag is so cute - for 30,000 won shopping - you can have one for free. If you have just moved to Korea ...a set of Bowls and plates in all varieties and shapes can be found here in this store.The list of their BestSeller 100 is here.
Hence anything related to household can be found in Daiso stores which are littered all across Korea...in subway stations, every dong(neighborhood), sometimes in Lotte Mart, Doosan Tower, National Assembly subway Station as well as Sadang, Sinchon, Myeongdong, Anguk, Seoul Station - simply put: think of a place and you will find one!
A three story Daiso that I saw in Anyang Station was very cool & the one at Eungam station had a great and unique selection of goods that I haven't seen at any other Daiso...
By the way, another thing that stands out about Daiso is that you can even buy souvenirs here at a relatively low price than other places or almost the same price as you may find in wholesale markets as Namdemun and Dongdaemun souvenir centers. My recommendation is for expats in Korea is: visit Daiso - on and off - they have stationery's sections, household, makeup, souvenirs - just about everything at a relatively low price.
If you have recently moved to Korea and if you are a new student here just do NOT miss to take a trip at the nearest Daiso of your neighborhood. I hope that while looking for your DAISO you will discover and enjoy new secrets of Seoul or Korea and will love it!
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