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Vintage 90s manhwachek/Kpop stores in Seoul?
Just some quick context! I was born in 1979, but in 1984 my family moved over the USA for business reasons, and I have been raised as a Korean American ever since. We were too poor to visit k… Hi all,
Just some quick context! I was born in 1979, but in 1984 my family moved over the USA for business reasons, and I have been raised as a Korean American ever since. We were too poor to visit korea often, so aside from a very short emergency family trip in 1992, and one 3 day stay in 2014, I have not yet really spent time in Seoul.
While I was growing up here in California, my parents encouraged me to assimilate and learn english, so I forgot what little Korean I spoke very quickly; but my parents would try to help me retain some of it by buying me manhwa comic books from LA koreatown's korean bookstores.
I'm finally able to visit Seoul with my wife now and will be there in July! I have two questions:
1) Growing up in the early 90s, my parents regularly would buy me these compilation manhwachecks - they were about 2-3 inches thick, and had about 10-15 assorted comic stories in there, which were told in slices and would continue every month; and as they concluded, a new story / comic would come in and take that slot, etc. Does anyone know what these are called in korean, and know if there are any used bookstores in Seoul where I may be able to find some collectible/vintage issues from the early 90s?
2) Similarly to #1, I'm looking for used bookstores that might have some of my favorite comics I read as a kid - particularly, kkuhbungi by gil chang duk, dooly, and the dragonball series in korean/hangul. There's another one I forget but was popular - an egg shaped robot (with glasses iirc)/computer friend and a little boy duo. Also some mid-late 1990s CDs like seotaiji, roora, r.ef, solid, would be amazing.
These comics have a lot of meaning to me, as when I was growing up in the US and feeling unwanted/out of place, missing my Korea home and friends; these comics brought me a lot of comfort. Any recs will be amazing, thank you! I will be staying in Gangnam, fwiw.
yeah those thick compilations were usually called "oldeoni" or just "manhwa magajin" like the other poster said. the egg robot with glasses is def "ttal-ttal-i" from a series called "ttal-ttal-i wa kkoma" - that was a popular one in the early 90s. for actual physical copies, don't bother with insadong or the touristy book streets, they're overpriced and mostly have newer stuff. try the "seoul folk flea market" in sinseol-dong on weekends, there's a couple old dudes there with boxes of 90s manhwa they sell for like 1,000 won each. also check "kyobo bookstore" in gangnam itself - their used section in the basement sometimes has random vintage cds and comics mixed in with the new stuff, just gotta dig through the bins. for seotaiji especially, he's so mainstream you'll find his cds at any "record market" in hongdae but r.ef and solid might be tougher - i saw a solid cd at "vinyl and plastic" once but it was like 30,000 won which is steep.
honestly your post hit me right in the feels. im a bit younger (born 88) but i grew up on those same compilation manhwacheck too. theyre usually called "oldeoni" or just "manhwa magajin" but the thick monthly compilations were often branded as "bombom" or "win" or "champ" - those were the big ones for 90s kids. issue is theyre pretty rare now since they were printed on cheap paper and most got thrown out or recycled.
for finding them, forget the tourist spots. go to heukseok-dong near chung-ang univ, theres a stretch of used bookstores called "heukseok book street" that specializes in old manhwa and magazines. also jongno has a few basements near the old seoul bookstores but you gotta dig. the egg robot with glasses sounds like "dooly" not the dinosaur but maybe "ttal-ttal-i" or "mashimaro"? actually wait the egg robot friend might be "kong-kong" from a series called "kong-kong and friends" or something similar.
for music, vinyl and cd shops in hongdae like "vinyl and plastic" or "seoul record" in myeongdong sometimes have 90s kpop bins. seotaiji is everywhere but r.ef and solid might take some hunting. try the underground
Best Food in Seoul (2026)
Begin your food journey at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets. Try the iconic bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at Suni's Bindaetteok for 4,000 won, or the… 🍜 Where to Start
Begin your food journey at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets. Try the iconic bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at Suni's Bindaetteok for 4,000 won, or the spicy tteokbokki at the central food alley. The market is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM and is a 5-minute walk from Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1).
🥩 Must-Try Korean BBQ
For an unforgettable Korean BBQ experience, head to Mapo-gu's famous Meat Alley near Mapo Station. Visit Wangbijib Myeongdong (32-3 Myeongdong 2-gil) for premium hanwoo beef, with set meals starting at 40,000 won per person. They are open from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and reservations are recommended for dinner.
🍲 Soul-Warming Soups
When the weather turns chilly, warm up with a bowl of samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) at Tosokchon Samgyetang in Jongno-gu (5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil). Their signature dish costs 19,000 won and comes with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng. Arrive before noon to avoid the long lines, as they open at 10 AM and close at 10 PM.
🌮 Street Food Hotspots
Myeongdong's street food stalls are a paradise for snack lovers, especially from late afternoon to evening. Try the cheese-filled hotteok (sweet pancake) at the main pedestrian street for 3,000 won, or the grilled skewers at the Myeongdong Kyoja corner. Most stalls operate from 11 AM to 10 PM, and prices range from 2,000 to 5,000 won per item.
🍜 Noodle Heaven
For a bowl of handmade kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), visit Myeongdong Kyoja (29 Myeongdong 10-gil), a legendary spot since 1966. Their kalguksu costs 9,000 won and comes in a rich chicken broth with dumplings. They are open from 10:30 AM to 9 PM, and expect a short wait during peak hours.
🍚 Bibimbap and Beyond
Experience a traditional dolsot bibimbap at Gogung in Insadong (30-1 Insadong-gil), where the hot stone bowl creates a crispy rice crust. The Jeonju-style bibimbap is 12,000 won, and the restaurant is open from 11 AM to 9 PM. Pair it with a bowl of their homemade doenjang jjigae for an extra 5,000 won.
🍰 Sweet Treats
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Cafe Onion in Seongsu-dong (8 Achasan-ro 15-gil), known for its trendy industrial vibe and pastries. Their signature pandoro (Italian sweet bread) costs 6,000 won, and the cafe opens at 8 AM. For a traditional dessert, try hotteok at the Seoul Folk Flea Market near Sinseol-dong Station.
🍺 Night Market Eats
After dark, head to the Bamdokkaebi Night Market at Banpo Hangang Park (open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 PM to 11 PM). Sample fusion dishes like kimchi fried rice balls (5,000 won) or grilled cheese skewers (4,000 won) from the food trucks. Take the subway to Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) and walk 10 minutes to the park.
honestly the guide nailed most of it but i gotta shout out the ssamgyeopsal at samwon garden in apgujeong. it's pricier than mapo alley but the pork belly is thick cut and they grill it over charcoal which makes a huge difference. also if you're at gwangjang market don't skip the mayak gimbap, it's those tiny seaweed rolls with carrot and spinach, three bucks for a tray and they're dangerously addictive
one thing the guide missed is sundae (korean blood sausage) at the gwangjang market stall near the main entrance. it's like 3,000 won and they serve it with salt and peppers, really underrated street food. also for the bamdokkaebi night market try to go on a friday when there's more food trucks, saturdays get packed with families and the lines get ridiculous