Seoul has a reputation for being a shopaholic’s paradise with its endless selection of shopping malls and fashion stores carrying both local and international brands. While it’s known for catering to luxury shoppers, a wave of sustainability has swept in, making thrift stores and vintage shopping in Seoul popular in recent years. Whether you’re looking for a curated collection or simply want to score a good deal, there’s always something for every thrifty thrifter here!
From the hip, Brooklyn-esque neighbourhood of Seongsu-dong to the fashion-forward havens of Hongdae and Gangnam, here are some of the best Seoul thrift stores, vintage stores, and flea markets to check out on your secondhand shopping spree!
Also read: 10 Tips for Shopping in Seoul, According to Frequent Travellers
Seoul thrift stores and flea markets to visit on your vintage shopping spree
1. Gram Deal – Gwangjin-gu
At vintage kilo shop Gram Deal, cost-conscious buyers can shop till they drop without breaking the bank. Here, accessories and clothes are sold by the kilo, meaning you purchase your picks by the total weight and not as individually priced items. The flat rate goes as low as KRW2,900 per 100 grams.
Housed in a 330-square-metre warehouse, Gram Deal features endless rows of around 10,000 pieces of clothing. Specialising in imported vintage goods, you’ll find tons of Japanese brands with unique clothing styles and popular fashion brands like Zara and Uniqlo. The thrill is in browsing each rack in hopes of finding fashion gems that suit your fancy!
Location: 42-24 Hwayang-dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul
2. Million Archive – Seongsu-dong
Seasonal thrift shopping, anyone? Unlike most vintage stores in Seoul, Million Archive surprises thrifters with its ever-changing themed displays! From its summer collection of vibrant Hawaiian shirts to its racks of festive, ugly Christmas sweaters for the holidays, the store’s secondhand selection offers a diverse range of styles that fit every season. Aside from themed and seasonal collections, Million Archive also hosts vintage kilo sales!
Heads up though, weekends here often see an influx of young shoppers, transforming the renovated factory space into a bustling fashion oasis.
Location: 1 F, 24-18 Achasan-ro 5-Gil, Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
3. Vin Prime – Gangnam
Vin Prime is one of the most popular vintage stores in Seoul, with more than 10 outlets scattered across the capital city! Not only is it a hotspot for locals to hunt for rare and cheap finds, but it has also gained attention among tourists looking to thrift in Seoul.
You’ll typically find Vin Prime branches close to subway stations, making it especially convenient and easily accessible for commuting shoppers. Its biggest store is located just outside of Exit 5 of Seolleung Station. It features two floors of men’s and women’s vintage clothing under brands like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Adidas, and the like.
Location: 327 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. Dongmyo Flea Market – Jongno-gu
Seoul’s flea markets are an absolute treasure trove for pretty much anything vintage! From handmade goods to antique houseware and furniture to pre-loved designer clothing, Dongmyo Flea Market has it all. Here, clothes are sold at only KRW1,000 per piece, so be sure to bring cash for bargaining.
As its name suggests, this traditional flea market is situated near Dongmyo, a shrine built during the Joseon Dynasty in honour of Chinese military commander Guan Yu. Walk just a few steps from Exit 3 of Dongmyo Station and you’ll find yourself at the market entrance. We doubt you’ll walk out empty-handed!
Location: 102-8 Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
5. btf.kr (Beyond The Fashion) – Seongsu-dong
For more curated vintage finds and Japanese-style apparel, enter bft.kr in Seongsu-dong! While the picks here might be a little more expensive compared to other thrift stores in Seoul, expect excellent quality. Clothing aside, you’ll also find a decent selection of accessories, branded bags, and street style headgear. What’s more? The store also occasionally offers discounts and gift certificates — perfect for value shoppers!
Location: 2nd floor, 62 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
6. Hongdae Vintage B1 – Hongdae
The hip and trendy neighbourhood of Hongdae is no stranger to thrifty thrifters and vintage lovers! When in the area, don’t skip Hongdae Vintage B1, one of the massive underground thrift stores in Seoul featuring carefully curated items. From vintage Carhartt to Y2K-style garments and statement jackets, you’ll find tons of unique finds for a good deal. If you have an affinity for 90s fashion, retro styles, and streetwear, you might just find what you’re looking for here.
7. Balbal Vintage – Seongsu-dong
For resale designer goods, Balbal Vintage in Seongsu-dong is not one to be missed! While its collection features popular brands like Stussy and Chanel, it’s surprisingly on the more cost-effective side of Seoul’s thrift-slash-vintage scene. Some of its authentic streetwear apparel goes for less than KRW100,000, which is much more affordable compared to the original retail price.
If you enjoy photography, you’ll appreciate Vintage’s collection of film and digital cameras! With retro photography making a comeback in recent years, its secondhand camera collection is definitely worth checking out, too.
Location: 41 B1 Garosu-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
8. Seoul Folk Flea Market – Dongdaemun-gu
Another popular flea market is the Seoul Folk Flea Market, situated around Cheonggyecheon Stream’s Hwanghakgyo Bridge. Recognised as the “future heritage” of Seoul in 2015, the market has become a magnet for tourists with its unique offerings and convenient location near the stream.
Although the market can get quite crowded even from the entrance, the items here are organised into colour-coded sections. Discover a fascinating selection of household goods, vintage fashion, antiques, and even hobby-related finds on your trip here. Wherever you go here, you’ll surely encounter something worth bringing home!
Location: 21 Cheonho-daero 4-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
9. Page One Vintage – Mapo-gu
At Page One Vintage in Hongdae, shoppers seeking unique and well-maintained vintage pieces are spoilt for choice. Primarily carrying women’s vintage fashion from the 80s and curated Japanese brands, its racks are filled with dresses with unique prints, leather goods, and retro accessories. Although it’s not the cheapest option for vintage shopping in Seoul, it offers good quality pieces at somewhat reasonable prices. Moreover, you might get a small discount for buying multiple items and paying in cash!
Location: 316-13 Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
10. Seoul Vintage – Mapo-gu
Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or everyday outfit essentials, you’ll find a vast (and surprisingly affordable) selection at Seoul Vintage! Its collection of designer goods includes famous brands like Chanel, Dior, Versace, Burberry, Fendi, Acne Studios, Ralph Lauren, and Vivienne Westwood. From outerwear and dresses to accessories and bags, you can snag great deals for as low as KRW5000. Now, that’s a steal!
Location: 1F Seoul Vintage, 11 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Also read: How to Save Money in Seoul: 12 Ways to Travel in Seoul on a Tight Budget
Now, you know exactly where to head on your vintage shopping spree! With tons of kilo stores, flea markets, vintage boutiques, and thrift stores in Seoul, you’ll be a seasoned bargain hunter in no time. Have you gone thrifting or vintage shopping in Seoul? Tell us all about your experience and let us know about your favourite shops on our official Facebook page or tag us in your travel snapshots @tripzillamag. Annyeong!