Korean Job Discussion Forums

[twentynine]

Has anyone ever gone to Namdaemoon or Dongdaemoon at night? It is my understanding that in the AM hours of the night, both markets have wholesalers selling goods - is this correct? Is there a specific location in each market for this? How would one find these wholesalers?

[StAxX SOuL]

I thought the night market sounded like a decent idea so I went over to Namdaemun one night (a Monday, I think) and it was perhaps the most pointless subway ride I had to endure during my time in Seoul... things were winding down about 8 and the majority of the market was shut

Now, I hear that there is one night of the week when it's not advisable to go, so I might have been unlucky enough to visit then... Dongdaemun seems a little more organised in the evening but I'd say a Saturday afternoon trip is much better...

[twg]

[Masta_Don]

I go to Dongdaemun Stadium often at night (it's a short walk from my place). It's the only place in Korea that I buy clothes from.

- There are three main buildings/malls across from the stadium. These are open till 4am, I think. They also have their off nights. I think Doota's closed on Monday nights.

- You will get a foreigner price (and lot's of "Hello"'s and "Where are you from?"'s) but if you have honed your haggling skills, it shouldn't be a problem. Rule of thumb, you should pay about half the price that they start at.

- Perpendicular to the street where those are on, down the road that the stadium's on, there are many more malls. They open at 8pm and close at 6am. These are the wholesale places, which means you coming in and buying one piece isn't in their best business interests. Less of the catcalls and less friendliness, especially if another customer is placing a big order.

- These later places cater to women mainly. The best for men is A: PM. Other than that it's almost all women's clothing with a sprinkling of men's in some of the smaller malls. Oh, no haggling at the wholesale markets.

- Dongdaemun is so much more enjoyable at night. It's still crowded but not nearly as much as a Saturday or Sunday day. That's hell. About half the crowd at night.

- Just like the malls, the food vendors will try and rip you off as well. Ask beforehand how much something costs. Tradition dictates, soju and 야제곱창, which is pork intestines with vegetables.

[twentynine]

This is really what I was wondering about:
http://worldroom.com/pages/wrnsl/leisure/sl_stores.phtml
From the part on Namdaemoon:
"The market is most alive between 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., abuzz with haggling between the traders and provincial bulk buyers."

Has anyone been during these hours? I've read it other places as well. And is this true of the entire market, or is there a specific place where the wholesalers are selling?

[inthewild]