Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

2.2Km 2024-03-04

37-7, Jongno 5(o)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Located near the Dongdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley gets its name from the restaurants serving dak hanmari (whole chicken soup) that line the alley. Dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), literally “one whole chicken” in Korean, is a dish where a whole chicken is boiled in a soup and served with the alley’s special sauce. After the diners eat the meat, the broth is used to make kalguksu (noodle soup). Because the area is home to large-scale apparel and fashion material markets of the Dongdaemun Market, the district is always lively and bustling.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

2.2Km 2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리)

2.2Km 2023-12-22

20 Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Walking east along Cheonggyecheon Stream, which flows near Sewoon Plaza, you will see a cluster of small bookstores. Books published 30 to 50 years ago, and various out-of-date magazines are piled up in about ten bookstores. You can indirectly experience the old culture and history that formed the basis of K-content, and sometimes you can also find foreign books. Nearby is Dongdaemun Market, a wholesale market selling various subsidiary materials, and Pyounghwa Market (open from night to early morning), where you can browse clothing fabrics, which are excellent places to visit together.

Gyeongnidan Street (경리단길)

2.2Km 2023-01-18

Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Gyeongnidan Street refers to the 937-meter-long road from the main gate of MND Financial Management Corps to Grand Hyatt Seoul as well as all of the nearby streets and alleys. It is called Gyeongnidan Street because the Korean army's central finance corps, or Gyeongnidan in Korean, used to be located here, and has gained fame for presenting a different vibe than that of Itaewon despite being part of Itaewon-dong. Gyeongnidan Street is an area of culture and youth where people are able to enjoy diverse and special cuisine and dishes at unique restaurants and cafes. Although it resembles a typical neighborhood of Seoul, it features foreigners who have come from many different places around the globe living in natural harmony with Korean locals, which exudes a unique, exotic atmosphere. It is fun to walk along the various streets and alleys to discover novel and sophisticated shops.

The Souvenir Fair (2025 대한민국 관광기념품 박람회)

2.2Km 2025-10-27

281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8315-5434

The Souvenir Fair brings together various companies and local governments to showcase a variety of souvenirs, both traditional and trendy. Visitors can freely explore the exhibition space, enjoy souvenir shopping, and take part in various programs. Highlights of the fair include an exhibition of competition-winning works, a zone featuring outstanding local souvenirs, and a special exhibition of overseas souvenirs.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

2.2Km 2025-11-11

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Geumdwaeji Sikdang (금돼지식당)

2.2Km 2025-10-28

149 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Geumdwaeji Sikdang is renowned as one of the top three pork restaurants in Seoul, specializing in pork dishes. Its signature menu item is the nunkkon moksal (grilled pork shoulder), known for its marbled appearance resembling snowflakes. Bonsamgyeop (grilled bone-in pork belly) and deungmoksal (short loin and pork shoulder) are also popular choices. They offer fragrant basil wraps as a side dish, which perfectly complements the slightly grilled basil with the juicy and flavorful meat, creating a harmonious taste sensation that is considered a delicacy at this establishment.

National Meteorological Museum of Korea (국립기상박물관)

2.2Km 2024-03-26

52 Songwol-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A museum where one can look at Korea's meteorological observation history and technological development through exhibitions. The museum has the world's first rain gauge, invented in 1441, in the early Joseon dynasty. The museum operates approximately 350 meteorological observatories across Korea and focuses on promoting the uniqueness and excellence of Korea's meteorological science. There are permanent collections and special exhibitions. The permanent collections focus on the history of meteorological science in Korea. At the same time, the special exhibitions take a closer look at the history and information about meteorological science and natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes) that occurred in various regions of Korea. There are experience programs related to meteorological science, such as making a rain gauge or learning about rain gauges.

Bukchon Hanok Village Gamgodang Street (북촌한옥마을 감고당길)

2.2Km 2025-10-30

Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

An alley with cute cafes and galleries
This is the road that appeared in the last episode and the flashback scene where Choi Ung (played by Choi Woosik) and Kuk Yeonsoo (played by Kim Dami) got drunk. Behind the Seoul Craft Museum in Bukchon Hanok Village, it extends for about 440m from Poongmoon Girls' High School to Jeongdok Library. There are many pretty cafes and galleries on the cozy road, and there are also craft markets open, so there is plenty to look around. The alley where Kuk Yeonsoo walked with the drunken Choi Ung on her back is Yunboseon Street in the middle of Gamgodang Street. It stretches along the hill between narrow tiled walls and stone walls, giving off a unique atmosphere.

Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum (이리자 한복전시관)

2.2Km 2022-08-08

20, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-9477

The Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum displays the traditional clothing worn in Korea from birth to death. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, who has over 40 years of experience.

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목) - Area information - Korea travel information