Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

5.9Km 2024-11-27

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

Taj Palace (타지펠리스)

5.9Km 2017-10-28

39, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-790-5786, +82-2-777-5786

Named after the Taj Mahal, Taj Palace serves authentic Indian dishes prepared by an Indian chef. The restaurant owner hired the Indian chef in hopes of introducing real Indian food to Korean people. Some of the most popular dishes in the restaurant include tandoori (barbecue) dishes, Indian fried rice called "briyani," toasted bread, Indian beverages, and the “set meal."

Eunjujeong (은주정)

5.9Km 2024-03-12

32, Changgyeonggung-ro 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-4669

Situated near Gwangjang Market, Eunjujeong focuses on kimchi jjigae. Served wrapped in lettuce, it offers a unique delicacy. They also sell barbecued pork belly, which is grilled in the traditional Korean style. After finishig the meal, it's recommended to take a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream right in front of the restaurant. Across Cheonggyecheon Stream is Gwangjang Market, which is also worth exploring, enriching the experience of the area.

Yongsan Family Park (용산가족공원)

5.9Km 2022-12-15

185, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-792-5660

Visitors to Yongsan Family Park can enjoy a relaxing time at a big grassy field beside a refreshing pond and well-organized walking paths. Yongsan Family Park spans an area of roughly 89,256.20 ㎡ in what was a section of the former golf course of the Eighth US Army Division. The park is comprised of various facilities such as a 2km-walking path, a natural education site, and Taegeukgi Park. Visitors can watch and feed pigeons and wild pheasants living at the park.

CheongKwanJang - Jongno 4(sa)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 종로4가)

5.9Km 2024-04-22

Gwangnim Bldg., 195, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Ben's Cookies Itaewon(벤스쿠키 이태원)

5.9Km 2021-01-08

203 Itaewon-ro Yongsan-gu Seoul
+82-2-556-3275

It is a store specializing in British handmade cookies directly baked every day. This restaurant's signature menu is cookies. This cafe is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

5.9Km 2024-07-08

88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0291

Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The name Gwangjang means "to gather from afar and keep altogether." The market began as a small trading center that brought in goods from nearby regions, but has now grown into a large wholesale market selling a variety of goods, including upholstery, imported goods, groceries, dried fish, traditional goods, and more. The most popular section of the market is the food street connected to the East Gate, North Gate 2, and South Gate 1. The food street caters to a wide range of patrons due to the plethora of menus available. It is also one of the most recommended tourist attraction for international travelers.

Usmania (우스마니아)

5.9Km 2017-10-10

34, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-7155

Usmania is a Pakistani restaurant located in Itaewon. The restaurant imports all its ingredients from Pakistan (except for its meats and vegetables) in order to make the dishes as authentic as possible. Dishes are cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven used in just about every household in Pakistan.

Eunseong Hoejip (은성회집)

5.9Km 2021-03-29

88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-6813

You can enjoy Daegu maeuntang (fish stew), which is perfect for hangover. This restaurant's signature menu is sicy codfish stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

5.9Km 2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information