National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

1.2Km    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.

Chebudong Janchijip Dwaejigalbi (체부동잔치집돼지갈비)

1.2Km    2024-03-18

24 Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-3555

Chebudong Janchijip Dwaejigalbi is a restaurant where marinated pork galbi are grilled over charcoal fire. It offers various side dishes along with rich soybean paste jjigae. Enjoying cold buckwheat noodles with the tender marinated pork galbi, which are well-aged, is also recommended. Additionally, there are individual menu items such as dubu jeongol (bean curd hot pot), hoe naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles with raw fish), bibimbap, and gamjajeon (potato pancake).

Balwoo Gongyang (발우공양)

1.2Km    2024-01-05

56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Balwoo Gongyang, located in front of the main gate of Jogyesa Temple, is a temple food restaurant operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism. It was selected as a 1-star restaurant by the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 and it is so popular that reservations must be made a month in advance. “Balwoo” refers to meals for monks and it means that the act of eating is also a process to realizing the truth. The restaurant offers five types of course menus inspired by Buddhist teachings that are served in the order of Suljuksim, Juksang, Sangmi (嘗味), Dammi (噉味), Seungso (僧笑), Youmi (愈味), and Ipgasim. The menu is made with seasonal ingredients to bring out the best flavor of each season. The course meal starts with appetizing kimchi stew according to the traditional Korean meal culture. Then it is followed by porridge, seasonal salad, rice and stew, side dishes, tea, and dessert, satisfying both the taste buds and health. Those who wish to experience an authentic temple meal are recommended to try the Beop Course.

Templestay Information Center (템플스테이 홍보관)

1.2Km    2022-10-17

56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2031-2000

Templestay Information Center offers various information and services regarding templestays and temple meals for domestic and international visitors. The center also operates traditional cultural experiences, such as tea time with a Buddhist monk, traditional culture activities and more.

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

1.2Km    2025-10-23

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ssamzigil is an Insa-dong landmark and a shopping mall specializing in crafts. It is a place where the traditions of Korea come together with its present. Follow the paths that lead seamlessly from the lower floors to the upper floors and browse the small craft shops that inhabit the floors. You can find both works of traditional craft and contemporary craft here. Some craft shops also offer craft experiences, and one can also find restaurants and galleries within the complex.

HIDE AND SEEK - Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)

HIDE AND SEEK - Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)

1.2Km    2025-11-06

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm
This is where TXT members enjoyed escape games on their own series, “TO DO X TXT.” Chosen as the tagger by random draw, Huening Kai showed impressive game skills, using his instincts to “eliminate” the other members.

Geoan (거안)

Geoan (거안)

1.2Km    2025-10-23

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Geoan, a store in Insa-dong, specializes in wooden furniture and accessories. Visitors can purchase products on display in the store or customize their pieces according to their preferences. In addition to furniture production, the shop also exhibits and sells various artworks such as celadon, lacquer mother-of-pearl, and sculptures by artists, making it a classy art space that harmonizes tradition and modernity.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

1.2Km    2024-03-04

11-4, Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-4448

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located in Insa-dong. It has six exhibition rooms, an atelier, an outdoor exhibition area, and a traditional tea house. It hosts outdoor concerts in spring and fall, and Q&A sessions with authors can also be found as well. The traditional tea house offers about 15 types of traditional Korean tea in a space that overlooks the garden.

Jeontong Dawon (전통다원)

1.2Km    2024-03-18

11-4 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-6305

Jeontong Dawon is a hanok-style tea house located in Insa-dong. It offers seating both inside the hanok and in the outdoor garden, allowing guests to choose their preferred spot. Visitors can enjoy various types of traditional Korean tea along with traditional Korean snacks such as yugwa (fried rice sweet). It is situated within the Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art premises, offering the opportunity to explore the museum as well.

Neulmajung (늘마중)

Neulmajung (늘마중)

1.2Km    2024-01-12

11-5 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makgeolli is a traditional liquor made from rice or wheat as a main ingredient and with yeast and various other ingredients. Its uniqueness lies in the main ingredient or yeast used, thus a variety of makgeolli made with local specialties can be found throughout Korea. Neulmajung is a pub restaurant that serves 34 types of makgeolli from all over the country, as well as many foods that go well with them. In addition, its soft wooden interior creates a comfortable atmosphere. Its representative dish is haemul pajeon (seafood and green onion pancake), made with plenty of ingredients. They also serve crispy pan-fried gamja jeon (potato pancake)  and memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe), rich in both flavor and taste as it is made with buckwheat from Bongpyeong, Gangwon-do, all of which are a perfect paring to makgeolli.