Hongdae Shopping Tour

Last weekend, I went on a big shopping spree around Hongdae!
I checked out several popular Korean SPA (fast fashion) brands like Musinsa Standard, SPAO, and I was blown away by how many high-quality, trendy pieces I found at amazing prices. 

What really caught my attention was the massive crowd of international travelers shopping around Hongdae Station. It made me realize just how helpful it would be to put together a curated list of the best trendy, budget-friendly clothing stores in the area. 

I also really hope this posting will be helpful for people who are looking for things to do in Hongdae. 

TOPTEN10

Our first stop on the Hongdae tour is TOPTEN10.

TOPTEN10 is a wildy popular Korean SPA brand that specializes in high-quality, budget-friendly wardrobe basics—very similar to Uniqlo.
In fact, many locals view it as Korea's direct home-grown answer to Uniqlo!

Because of it's focus on everyday wear, you'll find plenty of clean, versatile basics at extremely reasonable price points. Recently, the brand has also been collaborating with fashion designers and artists, bringing more unique, statement-making pieces into their seasonal collections. 

*Insider Tip for Families
If you're traveling with kids, do not skip the TOOPTEN10 Kids section!
They carry an incredible variety of children's clothing that is stylish, durable, and remarkably high quality. 
You'll already see plenty of international visitors stocking up on kids' gear here—the value for money is hard to beat anywhere else in Hongdae. 

SPAO

The second spot on our Hongdae shopping tour is SPAO

SPAO is another iconic Korean home-grown brand, created by E-Land World, one of South Korea's largest and most famous retail and fashion conglomerates. 
(Fun fact: E-Land is the retail powerhouse that brought global brand like New Balance to major success in the Korean market!)

While TOPTEN10 shines at clean everday basics, SPAO steps things up by offering more stylish, trendy, and fashion-forward pieces. Think modern street style, relaxed-fit outerwear, tailored casuals, and fun pop-culture collaborations—all while keeping prices right on par with TOPTEN10. 

If you are looking to venture beyond basic t-shirts and want trendy Korean street fashion that won't break the bank, SPAO is an absolute must-vist in Hongdae!

Shoopen

Next up, we're heading to Shoopen, another home-grown Korean brand that specializes in footwear and accessories like shoes, bags, hats, and belts. 

As a huge Shoopen fan myself, I won quite a few of their products—especially their shoes! Their footwear leans toward clean, minimalist designs that effortlessly pair with almost any outfit or aesthetic. Whether you need sleek sneakers, loafers, or summer sandals, Shoopen has versatile options for every style. 

Best of all, the prices are incredibly budget-friendly. Even their highest-end footwear capped around $30 to $40 USD, and the quality is surprisingly impressive for the price point. 

*Shopping Route Tip:
Shoopen is located right below SPAO on the 1st level of the same building in Hongdae. 
That makes it super convenient to hit both stores in a single trip!

Musinsa: Things to do in Hongdae

Our final destination is Musinsa—not jsut a single store, but Korea's ultimate multi-brand fashion hub!

The story of Musinsa is incredible: back in 2001, it actually started as a small online community dedicated to sharing street fashion and sneaker photos. 
Over the years, that passionate community evolved into South Korea's largest fashion e-commerce platform, carrying everything from street wear and high fashion to K-beauty. 

Musinsa doesn't just curate top domestic and global brands—they also created their own wildly successful private label, Musinsa Standard (often nicknamed Mutandard by locals). Musinsa Standard is famous for its clean fits, high-tech fabrics, and affordable basic wear that rivals top international SPA brands. 

*The Bottom Line:
If you are pressed for time and can only visit one single store near Hongdae Station, make it Musinsa. It is the absolute best place to experience real, cutting-edge Korean domestic street style and see what local trends are blowing up in Seoul right now!