Published: 5 Feburary 2024. Updated: 9 October 2026.
Quick answer: Starfield Suwon is a Shinsegae shopping mall in Suwon, about an hour from Seoul by subway Line 1 (Hwaseo Station). It opened in January 2024 with around 400 stores, and its main draw is the free Byeolmadang (Starfield) Library, a 22m-tall reading space spanning 4F to 7F. Come for the library, trendy Korean fashion brands and Seoul-famous cafes like Cafe Knotted and London Bagel Museum. The mall is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Suwon is best known for the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, but Starfield Suwon has become a reason to visit on its own. We visited the mega shopping mall in 2024 and again in 2025, visiting its iconic library and the over 100 stores within the mall.
This guide covers what you need to plan a trip: how to get there, what is on each floor, and which shops and cafes are worth your time.
Starfield Suwon At A Glance
| Korean name | 스타필드 수원 |
| Address | 175 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 수원시 장안구 수성로 175) |
| Opening hours | Daily, 10am to 10pm (some stores differ) |
| Opened | 26 January 2024 |
| Operator | Shinsegae Property (Shinsegae Group) |
| Size | About 331,000 sqm, 8 basement levels and 8 above-ground levels |
| Number of stores | About 400 |
| Nearest subway | Hwaseo Station, Line 1, Exit 1 |
| Highlight | Byeolmadang Library (4F to 7F), free entry |
| Parking | First 6 hours free, then ₩500 per 10 minutes (max ₩18,000 a day) |
| Official site | https://m.starfield.co.kr/suwon |
What Is Starfield Suwon?
Starfield Suwon is a large shopping mall run by Shinsegae, the group behind Starfield COEX Mall in Seoul and Starfield Hanam. Unlike older Starfield malls, which lean towards families, Starfield Suwon was designed to attract shoppers in their 20s and 30s.
Korean media reported that over 30% of its stores were brands new to Starfield, including names previously found mainly in Seoul neighbourhoods like Seongsu and Hongdae.
Starfield Suwon feels like a trendy shopping street and not a typical suburban mall, but has the same family-friendly facilities like a full kids’ floor, a supermarket and a cinema.
How To Get To Starfield Suwon From Seoul
The easiest way is subway Line 1 to Hwaseo Station (화서역). The mall is about a 3 to 5-minute walk from the station.
| Route | How | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station to Hwaseo | Subway Line 1 towards Cheonan/Sinchang | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Take a regular (local) train. Cheapest (~2,000 won) and most accessible |
| Via Suwon Station | KTX, ITX-Saemaeul or Mugunghwa to Suwon, then Line 1 one stop to Hwaseo | About 30 to 40 min + transfer | Faster but costs more than the subway (between 2,700 won to 8,000 won) |
| Gangnam | Bus 3007, Bus 3000 | About 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes | Convenient if you are staying near Gangnam |
| By car | Parking B3 to B8 in the main building | Between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic | 6 hours free; overflow parking at Daeyupyeong Park B1 to B2 |
Tip: Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time routes. Google Maps directions are limited in Korea. See our guide to the best travel apps for Korea.
What To Do In Starfield Suwon?
Byeolmadang Library: The Main Reason To Visit
- Entry: Free, open to everyone
- Hours: 10am to 10pm, same as the mall
- Books: About 60,000
- Grand Stair: Tiered seating for reading and photos
- Byeolmadang Kids: A separate children’s library on 3F
- Events: Talks and performances are held regularly (check the official site for schedules)
The Byeolmadang Library (별마당 도서관), also called Starfield Library Suwon, is the second branch after the original in Starfield COEX Mall.
It rises 3 floors (about 22m) from 4F to 7F, with bookshelves running up the full height and a skylight letting in natural light.
In person, the vertical scale is the most striking part. Planetary-inspired fixtures hang from the ceiling, giving it a grandness that is also welcoming.
Best photo spot: The upper floors (5F to 7F) give you the full height of the shelves. Vinyl, an LP-listening cafe on 5F, overlooks the library.
Starfield Library Suwon vs COEX: What’s The Difference?
| Starfield Library Suwon | Starfield Library COEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Starfield Suwon, Gyeonggi-do | Starfield COEX Mall, Gangnam, Seoul |
| Height | About 22m | About 13m |
| Floors | 4F to 7F | B1 to 1F |
| Design | Straight lines and sharp angles; tall, vertical feel | Curved, warmer layout |
| Entry | Free | Free |
| Best for | Dramatic photos, a quieter visit outside Seoul | Easy access if you’re already in Gangnam |
If you only have time for one, COEX is easier to reach from central Seoul. If you want the bigger, more photogenic library, Suwon is worth the trip.
Starfield Suwon Floor Guide
The eight floors of Starfield Suwon house over 200 stores, ranging from trendy Korean cafes to popular Korean fashion brands.
| Floor | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| 8F | Star Garden |
| 7F | Restaurants, Megabox cinema, Concord Fitness Club, top of the library |
| 6F | Outdoor and golf brands, furniture and home, Starbucks |
| 5F | Sports and sneakers, Musinsa Standard, Electromart, Vinyl cafe, Fun City |
| 4F | Byeolmadang Library entrance, Korean fashion brands, Uniqlo, Muji, POP MART |
| 3F | Kids’ fashion and play, Byeolmadang Kids library, women’s fashion |
| 2F | Global fashion (Zara, COS, Arket), London Bagel Museum, JungJiYoung Coffee |
| 1F | Cafes and desserts, Olive Young, Chicor, accessories |
| B2 | Emart Traders, No Brand, Daiso, pharmacy |
| B3 to B8 | Parking, EV charging (B3 to B6) |
Here are the floors to focus on depending on the purpose of your visit:
- Shopping and lifestyle: 2F to 5F
- Food and Beverage: 1F, 2F, 6F
- Groceries and daily needs: B2
What Are The Best Shops, Cafes And Restaurants At Starfield Suwon?
This is not the full directory, but a list of stores we’d recommend visiting for different categories.
For the full list, see the official floor guide.
Cafes And Bakeries
Some familiar Korean cafes include Cafe Knotted and Super Matcha, perfect for grab-and-go sweet treats.
But if you’re looking for a proper sit-down cafe, we recommend LondonBagelMuseum or Vinyl, which has a nice view of the library.
Coffee lovers will enjoy homegrown Korean coffee roasteries JungJiYoung Coffee Roasters (2F) and INC Coffee (4F), which we covered at its Gasan outlet.
| Name | Floor | Why visit | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe Knotted | 1F | Popular Korean donut cafe known for cream-filled donuts | Knotted World review |
| Super Matcha | 1F | Matcha cafe brand from Seoul | Super Matcha review |
| London Bagel Museum | 2F | Seoul’s famous bagel bakery; try the spring onion cream cheese | London Bagel Museum review |
| Vinyl | 5F | LP-listening cafe overlooking the library; second outlet after Seongsu | Vinyl Seongsu review |
Restaurants
There are almost 170 restaurants in Starfield Suwon, ranging from classic Korean food to Japanese cuisine.
For a fast and fuss-free meal, we recommend the Eatopia food court on the 7th floor, with plenty of options including Lee Byung-tae Hamheung Naengmyeon for Korean cold noodles or Sotbab Yechan for Korean pot rice.
If you’re looking for a sit-down restaurant, consider GuemGeum for modern Korean or Outback Steakhouse – not Korean but popular amongst locals!
| Name | Floor | Cuisine |
|---|---|---|
| Gatten Sushi | 7F | Japanese sushi |
| Lee Byung-tae Hamheung Naengmyeon | 7F | Korean cold noodles |
| Jungsung Donkas | 7F | Tonkatsu |
| Yukdanghyeon | 2F | Yukgaejang, Korean spicy beef soup |
| Outback Steakhouse | 7F | American chain restaurant specialising in Australian-style grilled meats |
Fashion Brands
Korea is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and Starfield Suwon alone houses many popular Korean fashion brands like thisneverthat, Stand Oil and more!
Here are suggested brands depending on your fashion preference:
- Streetwear: thisneverthat, Mahagrid, Covernant
- Everyday casual: 8Seconds, MUSINSA Standard, TopTen
- Elevated: Satur, MILL Studio, Atelier NAIN, Pigment
- Accessories: STAND OIL, Cueren, UNCOMMON EYEWEAR, Nonfiction
Global fashion brands like COS, Arket and ZARA are also available, with Korean-exclusive designs.
| Name | Floor | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| thisisneverthat | 4F | Seoul streetwear label |
| ALAND | 4F | Multi-brand Korean fashion store |
| Stand Oil | 4F | Korean bag brand |
| Mahagrid | 4F | Korean streetwear |
| Musinsa Standard | 5F | Basics from Korea’s biggest fashion platform |
Beauty Brands
No trip to Korea is complete without a K-beauty haul!
Shop Korean beauty from Olive Young and Chicor, or try Korean fragrances from Nonfiction and Youssoful (4F).
| Name | Floor | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Young | 1F | Korea’s biggest health and beauty chain |
| Chicor | 1F | Shinsegae’s beauty multi-brand store |
| Nonfiction | 2F | Korean fragrance and body care brand |
| Lush | 4F | Bath and body, with a Lush Spa |
Sports And Outdoor Brands
If you’re looking to invest in activewear or sports gear, Starfield Suwon is a goldmine. Shop from sports apparel stores like ABCMart or even golf speciality stores like Malbon (6F) and WAAC (6F).
| Name | Floor |
|---|---|
| ABC-Mart Grand Stage | 5F |
| New Balance | 5F |
| Nike | 4F |
| Salomon | 6F |
| The North Face | 6F |
Kids And Family
Starfield Suwon is family-friendly and kids-friendly, with kids apparel and kids entertainment options available across the whole mall.
| Name | Floor | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Byeolmadang Kids | 3F | Children’s library |
| Toy Kingdom | 5F | Toy store |
| Fun City | 5F | Arcade and entertainment center |
| Champion The Blackbelt | 7F | Indoor kids’ playground |
Groceries, Lifestyle And Entertainment
If you’re wondering where to get Korean snacks or souvenirs to bring home, consider browsing Emart!
They are a wholesale supermarket that locals frequent (similar to FairPrice in Singapore), making it a good and affordable way to stock up on uniquely Korean snacks, foods and seasonings.
| Name | Floor | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Emart Traders | B2 | Wholesale supermarket, good for snacks to bring home |
| Daiso | B2 | Budget household goods |
| POP MART | 4F | Designer toys and blind boxes |
| Megabox | 7F | Cinema |
Tips For Visiting Starfield Suwon
- Go on a weekday. The mall drew about 300,000 visitors on its opening weekend and is still busy on weekends.
- Start with the library, then eat on 7F. The library’s upper levels and the restaurant floor are close together.
- Plan 2 to 4 hours. That covers the library, a cafe and a few floors of shopping.
- Bring your passport if you plan to shop. Select shops, including Olive Young, can do automatic tax refunds within the store. If not, ask for a receipt and do it at the airport before you fly.
- Combine it with Hwaseong Fortress. Travel between the two easily via the public bus services 3, 112 or 98 (depending on where you are)
Make It A Suwon Day Trip
@middleclass.sg SAVE THIS! A Suwon day trip guide if you’re going to Korea soon 🇰🇷😋 The places we went to: 1. Hwaseong Fortress 2. Hwaseong Temporary Palace 3. Original Eomma’s 4. A_neukgam 5. Starfield Suwon #korea #koreatravel #suwon #seoul ♬ Vlog – Soft boy
The library is reason enough to come to Suwon, but the city deserves more than a mall visit. Pair Starfield Suwon with:
- Suwon Day Trip Itinerary: Detailed guide on how to get to Suwon and places to visit, including Hwaseong Fortress, cafes and more
- Cafe Paletscent: a cafe with views of Janganmun Gate
- Wonjo Mom: gopchang stir-fry popular with locals
- 4D3N Gyeonggi-do Itinerary: if you’re spending more time outside Seoul
Starfield Suwon (스타필드 수원)
경기 수원시 장안구 수성로 175
175 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do Mon to Sun, 10am to 10pm
Nearest Subway Station: Hwaseo Station (Line 1), Exit 1
Naver Maps
Frequently Asked Questions About Starfield Suwon
Is Starfield Library Suwon free?
Yes. The Byeolmadang Library at Starfield Suwon is free and open to everyone during mall hours, 10am to 10pm daily.
How do I get to Starfield Suwon from Seoul?
Take subway Line 1 from Seoul Station to Hwaseo Station, which takes about an hour. The mall is a 3 to 5-minute walk from the station. If you take a train to Suwon Station instead, Hwaseo is one stop away on Line 1.
What are Starfield Suwon’s opening hours?
Starfield Suwon is open daily from 10am to 10pm. Some stores and restaurants keep different hours.
Which floor is the Starfield Library in Starfield Suwon?
The library spans 4F to 7F, rising about 22m. The entrance is on 4F, and a separate children’s library, Byeolmadang Kids, is on 3F.
What cafes are at Starfield Suwon?
Popular cafes include Cafe Knotted, Super Matcha and Bonanza Coffee Roasters on 1F, London Bagel Museum and JungJiYoung Coffee Roasters on 2F, INC Coffee on 4F, and Vinyl, an LP cafe overlooking the library, on 5F.
Which Korean fashion brands are at Starfield Suwon?
Korean brands include thisisneverthat, ALAND, Stand Oil and Mahagrid on 4F, and Musinsa Standard on 5F.
How long should I spend at Starfield Suwon?
Plan 2 to 4 hours to see the library, have a meal or coffee and browse a few floors. Add half a day if you’re combining it with Hwaseong Fortress.
Is parking free at Starfield Suwon?
The first 6 hours are free. After that, it costs ₩500 per 10 minutes, up to ₩18,000 a day.
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