Best Places To Buy Cologne In Korea

If you're looking to buy cologne in South Korea, you'll find that most people opt for Western brands, which are available at department stores and beauty store chains like Olive Young. If you're looking for a department store, try Shinsegae Gangnam, Lotte Department Store Main Branch, Galleria, or The Lotte World Department Store, which also has a Sephora. For a dedicated fragrance store, try Perfumegraphy in Jongno-gu. You can also find fragrances at some fashion stores, such as 10 Corso Como Seoul in Apgujeong. If you're specifically looking for Korean fragrance brands, try Granhand, which has six stores in Seoul, including one in Bukchon, which incorporates the design of traditional Korean Hanok houses. Other Korean brands include Tamburins, which has a flagship store in Sinsa, and Nonfiction, which has a store in Hannam.

Department stores in Seoul

Department stores are a great option for buying cologne in Korea. The three biggest and most popular department stores in Seoul are Hyundai, Lotte, and Shinsegae. They all have branches across the city, so you won't have to go out of your way to find them. These department stores deal with famous brand names and a wide range of goods in terms of both price and quality. They also combine shopping with cultural and recreational experiences.

Hyundai Department Store

Located in the centre of luxury goods commerce, the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong has played a leading role in high-quality shopping since its opening in 1985. The Hyundai Department Store has multiple branches across the city, including in Apgujeong Main, Trade Center, Cheonho, Sinchon, Mia, Mokdong, Jungdong, and more. The Apgujeong Main branch carries high-end brands such as Prada, Tiffany, Hermes, Fendi, and Christian Dior.

Lotte Department Store

The Lotte Department Store's main branch is located in the hotspot and busy shopping district of Myeongdong. It is the largest department store in Korea. The Lotte Department Store has many branches across the city, including in Gangnam, Gimpo Airport, Nowon, Yeongdeungpo, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and more.

Shinsegae Department Store

Shinsegae Department Store is located in the heart of Seoul, where tradition meets modernity. It is a luxurious premium shopping venue with the main branch and flagship store located in the heart of the city. The Shinsegae Department Store has multiple branches, including Gangnam, Gyeonggi, Gwangju, Gimhae, Daegu, Centum City, and more.

In addition to these three major department stores, there are also other popular options such as The Galleria Department Store, an iconic architectural landmark in Apgujeong known for its luxury brand fashion.

Tester shops in Sinsa and north of there

If you're looking to buy cologne in Korea, there are a few tester shops in Sinsa and north of there that you can visit. According to a comment on a Reddit post, there are two tester shops in Sinsa and further north that offer a variety of niche and designer brands. The first requires an appointment, but you can walk in and make one on the spot, while the second is located further north. These shops are a great option if you want to try out different fragrances before making a purchase.

In addition to the tester shops in Sinsa, there are also several perfume stores and brands that you can check out in Korea. For Western fragrances, you can visit department stores or beauty stores like Olive Young, which carries popular perfumes such as Chloé Roses or Prada Candy. For Korean fragrances, you may want to check out brands like Nonfiction, which is mentioned as one of the most popular Korean niche brands, or Granhand, which offers multi-perfumes, candles, diffusers, and EDP bottles. You can find Granhand locations all over Seoul, including one in Bukchon that is intermingled with hanok-style houses.

If you're looking for a specific brand, you may want to check out their website or a larger department store to see if they have a location in Korea. For example, Byredo has two flagship stores in Gangnam, while Le Labo has two dedicated boutiques in Itaewon and Sinsa. Frédéric Malle is available at most department stores in Seoul and recently opened a flagship store in Itaewon. You can also find Jo Malone at duty-free shops, department stores, and a store in Itaewon.

When it comes to purchasing perfume in Korea, you have a variety of options, including online retailers and physical stores. In addition to the brands and stores mentioned, you may also want to check out online retailers like Coupang, W Concept, and Lotte On, or department stores like Shinsegae, Hyundai, and Lotte, which carry a wide range of fragrance brands.

Korean fragrance brands

When it comes to Korean fragrance brands, there are a few notable mentions. Firstly, we have Nonfiction, a popular niche brand known for its clean and mild fragrances. Their signature scent, Santal Cream, is a blend of fresh fig and soft woody notes, creating a warm and calming aroma. Another well-known Korean brand is Grandhand, which offers a range of multi-perfumes, candles, diffusers, and EDP bottles with earthy and natural scents. Their products can be found in various locations across Seoul, including the top of Namsan Tower.

For those seeking unique and memorable fragrances, BORNTOSTANDOUT is a brand that stands out with its ancient Korean pottery-inspired perfume bottles and eclectic range of scents. Some of their notable creations include "Drunk Saffron," an earthy blend of saffron, plum, coffee, and vanilla, and "Burnt Roses," a spicy and peppery rose fragrance with hints of vanilla and incense. BORNTOSTANDOUT has a physical store in Seoul, offering a unique shopping experience.

Other Korean fragrance brands to explore include Tamburins, known for their solid perfumes and experimental art-filled stores; Pesade, with its luxurious flagship store and nature-inspired scents like "Unseen"; and Sisology, whose fragrances aim to evoke joyful and lasting memories, such as their best-selling "Être Toi." These brands showcase the creativity and diversity of the Korean fragrance market, offering something for every taste and preference.

In addition to these domestic brands, Western brands like Le Labo, Jo Malone, Byredo, and Aesop are also widely available in Korea through department stores and their own boutiques.

Western fragrance brands

Byredo

Byredo is a Swedish fragrance brand founded by Ben Gorham, who has a diverse cultural background with Indian and Canadian heritage. Byredo has two flagship stores in Seoul, located in Gangnam:

• Byredo Garosu-gil: 1st floor, 21 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Byredo Dosan: 12 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Diptyque

Diptyque is a Parisian brand that initially started as a boutique offering fabrics and exotic treasures. They ventured into fragrance creation in the 1960s and have since become a symbol of artistic olfactory experiences. Diptyque has a flagship store in Seoul, located at:

15, Garosu-gil, Seoul

Le Labo

Le Labo is an international fragrance brand with a presence in Seoul. They have two dedicated boutiques in the city:

• Le Labo Itaewon: 259 Itaewon-ro, Hannam-dong, Seoul, 4348
• Le Labo Garosugil (Sinsa): 28 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Sinsa-dong, Seoul, 6028

Aesop

Aesop is another popular fragrance brand that has established itself in South Korea. You can find Aesop stores in various locations across Seoul:

• Aesop Samcheong: 58-3 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Aesop Garosugil: 54, Garosu-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Aesop Hannam: 259-1 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Aesop Parnas Mall: Grand InterContinental Hotel B1, 521 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Jo Malone

Jo Malone is a well-known British fragrance brand with a presence in South Korea. They have a boutique in Itaewon:

Jo Malone London Boutique Itaewon: 267, Itaewon-ro, Yongnam-gu, Seoul, 4348

In addition to dedicated brand stores, Western fragrance brands are also available at major department stores in South Korea, such as Lotte, Hyundai, and Shinsegae. These department stores carry a wide range of popular brands such as Byredo, Dior, Chanel, and more.

Online perfume stores

There are many online stores where you can buy cologne in Korea. Here is a list of some of the most popular options:

Department Stores

Major department stores in South Korea, such as Lotte, Hyundai, and Shinsegae, carry a large selection of popular fragrance brands like Byredo, Dior, and Chanel. You can also find niche fragrances at some of these department stores, such as the Dior Privee and Armani Privee collections at the Lotte Department Store Main Branch near Euljiro Station.

Online Retailers

• Sivillage: Carries perfume brands such as Ex Nihilo, Memo, Hermes, Oribe, Jo Loves, Diptyque, Byredo, Santa Maria Novella, and DS & Durga.
• W Concept: Curated selection of fashion and beauty products, including both Korean and international perfume brands like Byredo, Ariana Grande, Lush, L'Occitane, Tory Burch, YSL, and Gucci.
• SSF: Samsung Fashion Group carries fragrances from a variety of brands, including SW19, Santa Maria Novella, Maison Louis Marie, By Rosie Jane, Mihak, Frama, Sisology, Malin+Goetz, and more.
• Coupang: A popular online marketplace in South Korea, where you can find a range of perfumes, including some higher-end brands, but be cautious as you are buying from third-party sellers.
• Chicor: A major beauty store owned by Shinsegae, similar to Sephora, carrying many mainstream perfumes and some unique finds like Ariana Grande and Acqua Colonia.
• Lotte On: An online marketplace that sometimes offers lower prices than the physical stores, but be sure to check the seller to ensure domestic shipping.

Sephora

Sephora Korea carries popular Western and Korean brands like Nonfiction, Van Cleef & Arpels, Atelier Cologne, Fresh, Loewe, Pleuvoir, Kenzo, Gucci, Maison Margiela, Saint Laurent, and Fragonard. It is recommended to shop in-store for faster access to popular products.

Danawa

Danawa is an online aggregator that can help you find the best deals on perfumes, especially if you are looking for imported brands. However, for expensive perfumes, it is recommended to buy from recognised department stores to ensure authenticity.

Frequently asked questions