Insa-dong (인사동) - Area information - Korea travel information

Insa-dong (인사동)

830.2M    2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-0222

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

Insa Art Plaza (인사아트 프라자)

832.1M    2020-04-23

34-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-9969

High - Anguk Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이엔드코리아 안국)

843.3M    2024-04-17

1F, 62-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Jogeum (조금)

847.9M    2021-03-29

62-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-725-8400

It is a Japanese-style hot pot rice store. The best menu at this restaurant is Hot Stone Pot Rice. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Onion Anguk Branch (어니언 안국)

850.8M    2024-02-20

5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Onion is a café situated in a hanok dating back to the 1920s. Renovated with careful preservation of the daecheongmaru and madang, the café offers a glimpse into traditional Korean architecture. The signature menu item is the vanilla bean latte, and popular desserts include pandoro and salty butter bread. Its proximity to nearby attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace makes it a convenient stop for those exploring Seoul's major palaces.

STAY dayoff [Korea Quality] / 스테이 데이 오프 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

854.4M    2021-03-29

6, Jahamun-ro 1da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

This hanok (traditional Korean house) is located behind Seochon Food Street, located near Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. It is located only 5 min away by foot from the station. Opening the door brings one to a small garden, furnished with stones and moss on a corner, and the interior also speaks to the unique combination of a modern hanok with contemporary sensibilities. The building is divided into the main building and annex building, with the former having two queen bedrooms connected by a living room and kitchen as well as two bathrooms.
The annex building is the hidden jewel of STAY dayoff, which houses a bathtub and a sauna facility behind a beautiful window wall. When the windows are opened, it is like being in an open-air bath overlooking the garden and the hanok. The standard occupancy of the house is 4, with a 10% discount available for guests staying for more than 2 nights on weekdays, and towel replacement and cleaning services are offered for guests staying for more than 4 nights.

Kkotbabe Pida (꽃밥에피다)

868.6M    2021-03-26

3-6, Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-0276

It is a 2021 Michelin Guide restaurant. This restaurant's signature menu is bibimbap. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

A Flower Blossom on the Rice (꽃,밥에피다)

869.4M    2023-10-10

3-6 Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A Flower Blossom on the Rice serves beautiful, healthy meals using ingredients grown in accordance with eco-friendly practices. Diners can expect to enjoy dishes made with organic rice grown in Bongha Village, pesticide-free vegetables, wheat, traditional pastes, and undyed meats. Popular menus include the vegetable course, suitable for vegans, the tteok bulgogi made with Korean beef, braised rockfish harvested around Heuksando Island, and the five-colored bojagi bibimbap.

Daeo Bookstore (대오서점)

880.4M    2024-10-14

55 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Daeo Bookstore is the oldest bookstore in Seoul that has been maintained in one place since it opened in 1951. Recently, it has been refurbished as a cultural space with a cafe, where one can enjoy coffee, exhibitions, and performances while looking at the yard. Visitors who just want to browse can purchase a souvenir postcard set for admission. Taking a closer look at books that feel the years and objects that have traces of use, they appear to come rather new.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

900.4M    2022-12-27

198, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3703-9200

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History opened on December 26, 2012, and showcases Korea's modern history, from the opening of Incheon Port to current times. The museum provides an in-depth look at the changes in the nation through exhibitions and educational programs, as well as researching, developing, and collecting materials. The museum is comprised of four exhibition halls; Prelude to the Republic of Korea, Foundation of the Republic of Korea, Development of the Republic of Korea, and Modernization of South Korea, toward the World. In addition, the Korean History Dream Village features a hands-on program hall for children to learn modern and contemporary history. In addition to special exhibitions, the museum also offers educational and cultural programs for children.