Ewha Womans University Shopping Street (EDAE)

Around Ewha Womans (not a typo error, read details HERE) University are clusters of shopping stores twisted around its many streets. Turn to each alleyway and be greeted by the trendy stores offering current season's top style picks.

Since the stores cater mostly to University students, expect prices to be really cheap and easy on the pocket. Although I swear by the massive Gangnam Express Bus Terminal Go-To Mall to be the cheapest shopping area in Seoul, EDAE has the cutest and stylish ones. It has a unique charm of its own.

How much is cheap? I'd say prices starts at 10,000 krw with some occasional finds at knock-off 5,000 krw. Myeongdong prices starts at 15,000-20,000.

It was Autumn and displays were mostly thick coats and trenches in preparation for the coming winter. Living in a tropical country where we rarely see these myriad of choices back home, everything was LOVE at first sight! (tee-hee) Makes me want to splurge for future travels abroad.   

Finding EDAE is a piece of cake. From wherever you are in Seoul, take the Green Line and alight at Ewha Womans University station. At the exit are tourist assistants stationed to help you figure out directions to a particular store or restaurant you may want to visit.

The cold autumn is almost synonymous to unpredictable rainy season. Everybody's ready with their see-through umbrellas. Thus explains the rainy day sale.

Everything's just sooo dainty and pretty!

Head on to EDAE to get that University look vibe!

Hello Kitty Cafe & Osulloc Tea House Hongdae, Seoul

The bustling Hongik University ( thus, "Hongdae") shopping street is just a stone's throw away from the Incheon Int'l Airport, made possible through the direct non-stop interconnected Airport Express (AREX) Train.

Oh to be young and carefree! Haha! It's a shopping heaven for university students and the like. I seriously wished I had the privilege to study here. 

Each stall has its own quirky products and eye-catching display of Korean street food. This is the famed fish shaped waffles filled with red bean paste ( or custard cream ) served with yogurt ice cream topped off with chocolate syrup and crunchy flakes. 

Deliberately scouted the streets to find the Hello Kitty Cafe. Had a hard time locating it since it has moved to a new and bigger location and thus older blogs aren't accurate anymore. Had to ask the locals for directions. Koreans are generally helpful and would even search the address for you using their mobile phones. 

Choose from delectable meals waffles, breads, salads, hotdogs and too-pretty-to-eat desserts Hello Kitty Strawberry Mousse, Rare Cheese Cake, Tiramisu.

Expect to shell out 10,000ish krw for each item. Guzzle down with ze purrfect Cafe lattes and Caramel Macchiatos. 

The trip to the cafe also warrants a visit to the Gift Shop for all the lovely feline merchandise. 

Hongdae's branch operating hours 0930H-2230H

It was a midnight weekend and the University shopping street was packed with students. The city never sleeps! I concluded that koreans have this certain fondness for quaint and cute little cafes and shops found on the alley nooks.

Give yourself atleast an hour to browse, since the racks seem to go on forever.

Woof! Look! This doggie is guarding a pink cotton candy cart.

Isn't Hongdae the coolest and cutest area in Seoul? Each store has its own trick on its sleeves to promote their products. Very ingenious!

Not to miss is Osulloc Tea House. A dessert themed cafe that specializes in the authentic taste of traditional Jeju Tea, with green tea as the main ingredient.

The King O'Fredo with all the works! Matcha smoothie with matcha ice cream, whipped cream, matcha pound cake, sweet caramel cracker and red bean paste.

Guests can take home a little slice of Jeju Tea with them. Osulloc guides visitors into the world of tea drinking to balance both mind and body. Yummiest flavors abound!