Condé Nast TravelerNov 20, 2025
This Asian Metropolis Is the Best City in the World for Shopping, Our Readers Say
The rise of East and Southeast Asia as shopping destinations is complete, but there are a few wildcards as well.
Famous from Crazy Rich Asians, serves satay
23 things in this story
- ChinatownNeighborhoodVictor Lim's Peranakan Tiles Gallery
- Little IndiaNeighborhoodMustafa Centre runs 24 hours
- Kampong GelamNeighborhoodRatianah Tahir cuts and embroiders kebayas
- Orchard RoadNeighborhoodMain shopping artery, features ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City
- ION OrchardPlaceCurved glass mall on Orchard Road
- Ngee Ann CityPlaceHome to Takashimaya department store
- TakashimayaPlaceDepartment store in Ngee Ann City
- Victor Lim's Peranakan Tiles GalleryPlaceRescues century-old Belgian tiles
- Bussorah StreetNeighborhoodRatianah Tahir's atelier
- Newton Food CentreMarketFamous from Crazy Rich Asians, serves satay
- Elsewhere
- MyeongdongTrain stationSeoul, South KoreaOlive Young flagship store, cosmetic innovation
- Seongsu-dongNeighborhoodSeoul, South KoreaAmorepacific beauty lab, custom lipstick counters
- AmorepacificPlaceSeoul, South KoreaBeauty lab in a former car repair shop
- Gwangjang MarketMarketSeoul, South KoreaOld Seoul alleyways with vintage hanboks and food stalls
- Olive YoungPlaceSeoul, South KoreaFlagship store serves as cosmetic innovation dashboard
- CheongdamNeighborhoodSeoul, South KoreaPairs 10 Corso Como with Sulwhasoo flagship
- SulwhasooPlaceSeoul, South KoreaFlagship store offers TUS Moon Jade Hand Service
- GarosugilNeighborhoodSeoul, South KoreaTree-lined streets with Tamburins' sculptural perfume balms
- TamburinsPlaceSeoul, South KoreaSells sculptural perfume balms
- BukchonNeighborhoodSeoul, South KoreaAlleys hide appointment-only buncheong ceramics
- YiyehaPlaceSeoul, South KoreaSells appointment-only buncheong ceramics
- GranhandPlaceSeoul, South KoreaOffers personalized perfume engraving
- 10 Corso ComoPlaceSeoul, South Korea