"This sprawling shopping district is textile central, and a go-to place for trendsetting teens, aspiring fashion designers, and bargain-hunting ajummas. Thirty thousand stores are spread across ten blocks and split into wholesale and retail sections. The mix includes more than a dozen glossy shopping malls (Good Morning City, Migliore, Doota, etc.). In the open-air market near exit four of the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, tables underneath yellow tents are piled high with discounted jeans, shoes, and leather goods, but this area doesn’t really get going until after 10 p.m. When hunger strikes, head to Meokja Golmok, a.k.a. “Let’s Eat Alley,” for super-sized mandu (fried dumplings) and dak hanmari (whole chicken) restaurants, plus an array of Instagrammable desserts."
