Pusanweb's
Western Food Shopping Guide * Pusanweb's Book
Shoppig Guide Shopping in Busan can be an experience both
challenging and exciting, but it helps to know where to go. The city offers an
immense variety of shopping venues, from glitzy department stores decorated with
chandeliers and fountains to sprawling outdoor markets where vegetables are piled
on the ground and sea creatures flap in buckets near your feet. It may
seem daunting at first, shopping in Busan, and as a result, countless expatriates
wind up either paying exorbitant amounts of cash to try to live comfortably, or
denying themselves the things they want--never realizing how easily they could
find it all. It's true, of course, that some goods are easier to locate
than others. Glasses and sporting equipment, for example, are readily available
and affordable, while imported food and larger-sized clothing are not quite so
easy to find. Large department stores, such as Lotte and Hyundai, carry everything
from groceries (typically found in the basement) to clothing, cosmetics, and household
goods. Department stores, while convenient, do tend to be on the pricey side;
however, if you look carefully, it's possible to find bargains. Many department
stores keep their discounted items on one floor, and it's worth it to find out
which floor that is. Recently, foreign "hyper-markets," such
as Carrefour and Walmart, have popped up around the city, making it a snap to
find the items you need at more affordable prices. Wide aisles, carts, and helpful
clerks make shopping excursions pleasant and uncomplicated. Another option
to explore is the shopping malls. Some, such as the ones located in Seomyon and
Nampodong, can be found underground, while others occupy large buildings. Renecite
and Migliore are two such examples. Clothing, shoes and electronics are the items
most commonly sold in these malls. For a more unique, "Korean"
shopping experience, visit an open market, or shizang . Most markets specialize
in something--in Nampodong, for example, Jagalchi Market is the place to buy fresh
fish, while Kukje Market is a goldmine of clothing, glasses, household necessities
and school supplies, as well as a myriad other goods. Busanjin Market in Pomildong
caters to newlyweds, selling everything from furniture to shoes, and it's also
the place to buy reasonably priced silk and other bulk material. A short distance
from Pusanjin Market are three others, Pyungwha (peace) market, Jayou (free) market,
and Chungan Market. Local outdoor markets are truly ubi! quitous, carrying virtually
anything you desire at prices significantly lower than department or grocery stores.
For the consumate budget shopper, second-hand shops (called recycling, or
jae-hwall-yong centers) are scattered throughout the city. Most specialize in
electronics and furniture, but it's not uncommon to stumble upon valuable antiques
from time to time. Recently, several second-hand clothing stores have cropped
up as well, particularly in the Namchundong area. Shopping
in Busan may not be quite the same as at home, but if you're resourceful and persistent,
chances are you'll find what you're looking for. So before soliciting care packages
from home or making the long trip to Seoul, take a day or two to explore the shops
and markets of Busan. You might be surprised by everything you'll find, and by
how much fun you have buying it.
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