Dongdaemun Toy Street

We discovered the Dongdaemun Toy Street Market quite by accident. Ady and I were just wondering where they sell Korean Washi Tape so she googled Stationary stores, and it led us to the Stationary and Toy Street in Dongdaemun.

Just imagine, we stumbled on a cross between WanChai and 168, I was really in heaven. Unfortunately, there were so many toys and potential giveaways that before we got to the end of the street, I got so overwhelmed, I really didn't buy much of anything. At first, I even wanted to buy Sofia's giveaways for her 7th Birthday Party, then I realized, I didn't even have a theme or a guest list, so that became too complicated.

I told Sofia she could have 10,000won (Php415) shopping money, and I made her walk through the whole street before buying anything, so she could be sure about what she wanted to buy. She was so cranky at the end of the street since I wouldn't let her buy anything yet.

They had fake rainbow loom everything!

All sorts of toys. Some of them recognizable from Korean cartoons. 

We found a store with a motherlode of the Korean farting
doll. Sofia has one. Just beware, some stores attempt
to sell you stuff at retail price so you have to know.

You can watch the Kong Suni, the Korean Farting Doll here:

Back at the Dongdaemun Toy Street...

There's this huge toy store with everything.

They have a whole range of Pororo and Tayo Bus toys.

It reminds me of Wan Chai because they even stock toys that are
exclusive to Toys R Us.

Sofia went crazy in the stationary stores with all the cute erasers.

I didn't know The Simpsons were in again.

We were so happy to find the color changing balls that I once saw from
a trainer's bag of tricks.

After doing the whole circuit, Sof went back for the Grip-A-Prize toy.
Way over her  budget, but what can I say, I'm an enabler!

Sof had to carry around her toy while I attempted
to shop for myself, but I only bought a set of
Staedtler Pens for me.

I didn't realize Post-It has Hello Kitty Sticky Notes

I was also tempted to buy the cute umbrella but my daughter wasn't
interested.

Thank you Shobe for finding this black hole!

We had so much fun, but next time, I am coming back prepared with a list!

Sofia was so happy with her Dongdaemun loot, we even opened them to check it out when we got back to the hotel.

GETTING THERE
You can get into a taxi and tell him to take you to:
36, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 종로52길 36 (창신동)
(this is the easiest way)

Or you can also take the train to Dongdaemun Station (exit 4)
Once there, just walk straight for a few meters, then you can take the second side street on your right.
That should take you directly to the street with around 120 stationary and toy stores

This is what you see after you exit,
before you turn right into the side street.

This is what the toy street looks like when coming from
 Dongdaemun Station (Exit 4).

Unfortunately, despite going through almost all the stores there, we didn't see any Korean Washi Tape. But we know where to buy it from 168, hahaha. just saying.