Eye Glass Shopping Street (Namdaemun Market)
(남대문 안경상가)
Cheap prescription glasses are one of the best things to buy in Seoul, especially if you come from a country where the cheapest you can buy them are ridiculously expensive. And one of the best places to buy glasses in Korea is in Namdaemun Market, which has sprouted dozens of eye glass retailers that will call out for your business and try to lure you with the best prices. In all reality, they’re mostly selling the same frames as the guy next door, but you’ll have the opportunity to haggle and price shop if you’re looking for the best deal. Pick a place, find the frames you want and shop around for prices. The cheapest will start around 40,000 won, and they’ll give discounts for buying more frames. Prices will vary according to the frames you choose as well as how strong the prescription has to be. Once you pick a place, you’ll get a quick eye exam, and they’ll tell you to come back later in the day to pick it up (some only a few hours later).
