What to Do in Namdaemun: Fast Glasses Shopping & 30-Year Local Food Spots in Seoul

 

Why I Always Buy Glasses in Namdaemun

Every time I visit Namdaemun Market, there’s one thing I never skip—buying glasses.
In Seoul, there are countless optical shops, but nowhere compares to Namdaemun Market when it comes to variety and convenience. From affordable frames to designer styles, everything is concentrated in one place, making it easy to compare and choose.

What makes Namdaemun truly stand out is speed.
While getting prescription glasses in other countries can take days, here you can finish everything—from eye exam to pickup—in just one visit.

Prices are another reason people keep coming back.
Frames are often close to online prices, and lenses can be up to 50% cheaper than regular optical stores in Seoul.

Even better, the entire process usually takes
just 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How to Get There

Namdaemun Market is located right outside

Hoehyeon Station (Line 4), Exit 6.

Glasses Shopping: 
Daeseong Optical vs Samjeong Optical

To buy glasses, I visited two well-known shops in Namdaemun:

Daeseong Optical and Samjeong Optical.

Daeseong Optical (Lens Replacement & Best Value)

I first went to Daeseong Optical to replace the lenses in my existing glasses, since I had purchased them there before.

I have strong astigmatism, so I needed high-compression lenses. The staff explained each lens option clearly, including pricing.

• Korean lenses: around 50,000 KRW
• Imported lenses: around 90,000 KRW

I chose Nidek lenses for 98,000 KRW, and they told me to come back in about 1 hour.

📍 Daeseong Optical

31, Namdaemun Market-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Samjeong Optical (Designer Frames & Fast Selection)

While waiting, I visited Samjeong Optical.

The shop is smaller, but that makes it easier and faster to choose frames. They also carry many designer brands at relatively affordable prices.

I bought Tom Ford glasses with blue light protection.

• Tom Ford frames: 380,000 KRW
• Nikon lenses (non-prescription): 90,000 KRW
• Processing time: about 30 minutes

The staff also helped recommend styles that fit my face, which made the selection process much easier.

📍 Samjeong Optical

2F, 25-1, Namdaemun Market-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

👉 If you want better value on lenses, I recommend Daeseong Optical.

👉 If you’re looking for designer frames and quick selection, Samjeong Optical is a great option.

Namdaemun Market Shopping Guide

While waiting for my glasses, I spent about an hour exploring Namdaemun Market.

Namdaemun is one of the largest and most famous traditional markets in Korea. It’s especially known for wholesale children’s clothing, operating retail during the day and wholesale at night.

You’ll find specialized sections for:

• Socks
• Underwear
• Bags
• Pajamas
• Accessories

There are also many shops selling Korean souvenirs for tourists.

In the pajama section, you can find cute sets for around 10,000 KRW, and many stores prefer cash payments.

OFF BEAUTY 
(K-Beauty Outlet in Namdaemun)

One of the must-visit spots in Namdaemun is OFF BEAUTY, a warehouse-style beauty outlet.

You can find a wide range of K-beauty products including:

• Sheet masks
• Makeup
• Hair care
• Supplements

Popular Korean brands like Rom&nd are also available at discounted prices.

 

For more shopping spots in Seoul,
check out my Seongsu Shopping Guide 2026.

After Shopping: 
30-Year Local Korean Restaurant

After picking up my glasses, I headed to dinner.
Namdaemun is not just about shopping—it’s also known for its food. Many restaurants here have been serving customers for over 30 years.
I visited a local restaurant called “Delicious Samgyeopsal.”

The place has a classic, old-school vibe, and the side dishes were fresh and well-prepared.
Wrapped in lettuce with kimchi, it tastes even better. The kimchi itself had a deep, homemade flavor that stood out.

The must-try menu is gochujang samgyeopsal (spicy pork belly).
It’s flavorful but not overly spicy, making it suitable even for international visitors.

After the meat, I highly recommend ordering fried rice.

It’s even better when wrapped in lettuce with the remaining meat.

A Perfect 3-Hour Namdaemun Itinerary

I arrived at 4 PM.

Bought glasses, explored the market, and had dinner.

By 7 PM, everything was done.

In just 3 hours, I completed a full shopping and dining experience.

If you’re looking for fast, affordable glasses in Seoul, Namdaemun Market is one of the best places to go.

With same-day glasses, diverse shopping options, and long-established local restaurants, it offers one of the most practical and efficient experiences in the city.

Buy glasses in Seoul fast and cheap at Namdaemun Market. Get same-day prescription lenses in 30–60 minutes and explore local food spots with over 30 years of history.

 

More Seoul Travel & Shopping Guide:

- Seongsu Shopping Guide 2026

- Best Spring Cafes in Seoul 2026

- Seochon Seoul Guide 2026