Seoul area shops offer a potpourri of pottery

While Korean pottery is becoming more popular than ever, imported tableware is also expanding its base in Korea with an increasing number of people cooking foreign foods.

Here is a list of shops that specialize in unique and exotic tableware.

Turkish delight - Turkuaz

This small shop is crammed with the vivid colors and bold patterns that make Turkish pottery instantly recognizable and popular worldwide. There are plates, bowls, jars and accessories. Run by a Turkish-Korean couple, the store imports all its products. Since Turkish tableware is flamboyant, it is commonly used for desserts.

The shop is located in the underground shopping district at Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Banpo-dong, southern Seoul.

(02) 3478-0250

Polish plates - Nowa and Roja

Nowa in Itaewon, central Seoul, and Roja in Jukjeon, Gyeonggi, seem like heaven for women who love to collect pretty tableware. This Polish pottery, which is painted deep blue, yellow and red, is eye-catching from a distance. The items are also good for accenting kitchens.

Since they are durable, they can be survive the oven, microwave and even the dishwasher.

Nowa: 070-8953-9943, Roja (031) 261-9981

Where the Japanese and French meet - Thimbloom

Located at Garosugil, a trendy district in southern Seoul, Thimbloom displays and sells French and Japanese pottery, which are starkly different.

The French pottery of Astirt De Vilatte are classical with luxurious white colors; Japanese pottery is simple and humble.

Thimbloom also offers consultations about table settings.

(02) 518-8269

Northern European vintage -Demitasse

Demitasse is a cafe located in Buam-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul, but the cafe also displays about a hundred vintage northern European plates, cups and other items collected by the head of the cafe, who often visits European flea markets.

Plates start from 50,000 won ($44) and cups from 100,000 won.

(02) 391-6360.

By Kang Mi-suk