Seoul Gwanghwamun: Homeplus Express”

Homeplus Express is an “SSM Supermarket brand” operated by Homeplus. It offers a delivery service to nearby areas through an online mall, separate from the large-scale Homeplus stores.

The concept was inspired by Tesco Express in the UK, which is why the early logo of Homeplus Express and Tesco Express are said to be similar.

You can find Homeplus Express in various neighborhoods, including the Gwanghwamun area in Seoul.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun: Homeplus Express”

You can also find Homeplus Express in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul. It’s conveniently located between exits 7 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5. When you come out of exit 7 and head towards the Four Seasons Hotel, you’ll find it across from the hotel.

“Korea Shopping: Site of the First Supermarket in Korea”

The current location of Homeplus Express was once the site of Korea’s first supermarket, “Korea Shopping,” which operated from November 1, 1973, to December 15, 2007. When you visit the Homeplus store, you can see a sign at the entrance indicating that it was the location of Korea’s first supermarket.

“A Place to Find a Variety of Daily Necessities”

Homeplus Express can be considered a smaller version of the large-scale Homeplus. Think of it as a neighborhood supermarket. You can see that they sell everything from simple snacks to side dishes and daily necessities. It’s a convenient place for residents in the Gwanghwamun area.

One noteworthy aspect is that they were selling tteok (rice cakes). You could get two packs for ₩4,990, which was a reasonable price for tteok that is now hard to find. In particular, there was a sign indicating that they also sell janggijitteok (glutinous rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste). However, on this day, I couldn’t confirm if they had any left, as it may have already sold out.

“They Also Sell a Variety of Fruits”

Since it’s a neighborhood supermarket, they also sell various fruits. I saw them selling Hallabong oranges, Cheonhyehyang strawberries, and a type of strawberry called “Kingsberry.” During this visit, I bought a pack of Kingsberry strawberries to try. It was reasonably priced at around ₩11,000 for 500g.

Following the disappearance of Korea Shopping, the first supermarket in Korea, Homeplus Express has taken its place. It’s a neighborhood supermarket that sells products necessary for residents in the Gwanghwamun area.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun, Homeplus Express Gwanghwamun Branch”