How to find the "Western products" area in Kukje Shijang.

Kukje Market, near PIFF Plaza, is a confusing sprawl of small alleys filled with small shops. It is hard to navigate, even with a compass and a native guide. However, it isn't hard to find the area that specializes in Western products like drugs, cosmetics, foods, and alcohol. Take the subway to Jagalchi station (number 10). Walk out the PIFF Plaza exit (number 7), the next street in front of you is a wide street for auto traffic. Turn left and stay on that side of the street, don't cross over. You will know that you are on the correct street, because within a long block you will see signs for Outback Steak house and the entrance to PIFF Plaza (across the street, a walking street). As you continue walking down the street, you will start passing entrances to an underground shopping mall. Just beyond the third entrance you will find a store specializing in teas, and then one where you can buy coffee at wholesale prices. The alley/walking street JUST BEFORE the next subway-shopping entrance (#4) is the one you want to turn in to. When you turn left into this narrow lane, you will immediately notice collections of bottles of alcohol. Somewhere in this square block area you can find 5 liter boxes of Franzia wine for 16,000 won, or perhaps a 4 liter bottle of Carlo Rossi, and Centum Vitamins for 15,000 won. To see everything there is, walk to the next narrow lane and turn right, then right again, then right again…you are now back where you started. It is unlikely that you will see any "fresh" products like cheese or meats, but you can find protein powder, cigars, over-the-counter medicines, Skippy Peanut Butter, incredibly cheap vegetables, and who knows what else.

Across the street the alleys are filled with stores selling everything you need for the kitchen.

I was there yesterday, I took some friends for their first visit. On the way I was saying how you could get most of the stuff there in the big supermarkets . . .how wrong I was.

They seem to have updated their inventory, albeit the last time I was there was long ago. They had some nice japanese honey for 6k and some very nice Kirin Beer 6packs for 14k. All kinds of american cookies, crown royal, those mini Japense beers,12packs of BudIce, olive oil spread and lots of other odds and ends.

Just need to go back during the week cause those narrow corridors and pushy consumers don't give you much of a chance to browse at a comfortable pace.

On a slightly smaller scale Seomyeon Shijang (Market) has very similar stores.

Directions: From Seomyeon station, take the exit that brings you out at the new Ion City Building (that's the one with the Coffee Bean and Tea leaf outside (recommended if you fancy a decent cup of coffee, especially during the summer due to the outdoor patio seating) Go straight, you then have two options. Option 1: you will come to a Seven Eleven on your left, take the road here and then take your first right (down DaeJiGukBap street, or pork street), this is the street where the old Blues Bein was, for those that know it, which is now a Kimchi Chigye restaurant, shortly after this restaurant you will come to a very small alleyway on your right, it's easy to miss. Take this alley, this is Seomyeon market. Option 2. Don't turn left at the seven eleven but keep going straight. After about 30 yards or so, you will come to the same alleyway but approached from the other side, turn left at the alley.

There are a few stores along the alley, but you actually have to go inside the market to find the good stuff. Many of the store holders will attempt their English on you, but try and speak to them in Korean, they appreciate it more and sometimes will give you a discount (especially if you become a regular)

I found cocoa powder and cartons of Japanese Camels, which are some of the best (in my opinion) commercial cigs you can get. Didn't ask how much, but it's worth a try. Plenty of Carlo Rossi around too. It sounds gross, but I've had several awesome nights full of a fifty fifty mixture of Carlo Rossi and Coke. Good stuff.

Well since this place is somewhat near my place I go there a lot and noticed a new liquor stall that had a lot more of american and other liquor. They had mixers too that I hadn't seen in awhile. I did notice they had a full range of the flavored snapps and different things. I saw Ameretto too which I hadn't seen. It is the second alley where all the cig ladies are. Near the liquor stall was a place that had some listerine and some other things too. I hadn't seen the listerine here ( it was the blue kind and not the horrible regular though).

So all you craving some pina colada mix for a beach party night go check it out.

( not much of a drinker anymore cause I sort of lost the laste for it) but I still enjoy looking to see what is there.

laters

May, 2007 update for Gukje: follow the street directions to a T (like, print 'em off and follow them like scripture, because I jotted notes the first time I went down and didn't find it) and you're there, but keep in mind that some of the stores have changed. The coffee places and liquor bottles tipped me off. I was out to find whole grain or dijon mustard, and found whole grain. Wandering alleys, I also saw a guy who was sharpening chef's knives en masse in the street, and the looked to be really good. Wouldn't be surprised to hear if they're independently made.

Also, when going to Gukje, bring your camera. It's wild. And be prepared for racist pr1cks. I got barred from one shop. Too bad for him. I woulda bought his mustard, too...

헐!!! Are you in middle school and do you also get high on Glade? Rossi and Coke sounds like the worst concoction on earth. Christ, I wouldn't even drink Rossi by itself. Who mixes Coke and wine?

Sorry I gotta be an alcohol snob but somebody needs to call you out on that. I dont' want anyone else thinking this is "good stuff."

Did you guys see western deodorant there? I'm looking for Old Spice.

Yea, I have seen old spicce deoderants there each time I have gone, but like anything there, no guarantees.

Is this place open at night? Like, could I go there after I get out of work at 8:30?

It's open fairly late, not sure exactly what time though. Where do you work?

In Dongnae, so kind of far actually, like half an hour on the subway. I know cause I just did that ride when I went to Taejongdae last weekend!

You could try Seomyeon old market, has similar stores on a smaller scale. There are actually directions above, but they may be a bit dated so will re do them here

Directions: From Seomyeon station, take exit 7 go straight till you come to a small left turn (used to be 7 elevn on the corner, don't know if it's still there follow this road round to the right (down DaeJiGukBap street, or pork street), you will come to a very small alleyway on your right, it's easy to miss. Take this alley, this is Seomyeon market. Option 2. Don't turn left at the seven eleven but keep going straight. After about 30 yards or so, you will come to the same alleyway but approached from the other side, turn left at the alley.

Alternatively you could take exit 1, go straight and turn left and bear left onto pork street then directions same as first option.

If you go into the market you will find various stores selling Western food and toiletry products.