Kimpo, a paradise for kimchi lovers

The area around Kimpo International Airport has long stood as a Mecca for fans of kimchi. Kimchi stores opened along the Airport Street one after another beginning about 10 years ago, forming a "kimchi town¡¯¡¯ with about 20 stores.

Their main customers are foreign tourists. In particular, Japanese tourists regard the area as a must-see destination. Annual sales amount to 20 billion won.

¡ä Where is it?

The kimchi stores are collected near Kayang-dong, connecting to Airport Street and Olympic Road toward the Yanghwa Grand Bridge. It is located near Palsan station on Seoul Subway Line No. 5. The stores chose the location, targeting foreign tourists leaving the nation and taking into consideration the "shopping habits¡¯¡¯ of the tourists who may not like buying kimchi downtown and transporting it to the airport.

¡ä Major customers

A daily average of about 150-200 Japanese tourists drop by, each purchasing about 1kg of kimchi worth 10,000 won, a shopkeeper said. One kilogram of kimchi is the weight most convenient for putting vacuum-packed kimchi into a plastic box.

¡ä How about business prospects?

It is feared that sales at the kimchi shops will sharply decrease once Inchon International Airport opens at the end of March. Kimpo airport will be used only for domestic flights, so very few Japanese tourists will use it. Some shopkeepers are preparing "self-rescue¡¯¡¯ plans by opening new shops near the Inchon International Airport.