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

Insa-dong (인사동)

5.4Km    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.

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) (한지추억)

5.4Km    2022-09-16

6, Insadong 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2059

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared using traditional Korean processing methods, hanji is a type of beautiful, high-quality paper. Hanji Chueok is a great place to experience the tradition of hanji crafts; accessories, photo frames, and interior design items line the store shelves. Visitors can not only purchase extremely well-crafted items, but can also participate in seminars taught by professional artists to learn how to make their own hanji items. Visitors can take home their hanji creations as a lovely souvenir at the conclusion of the seminar.

Arirang Master Crafts Shop (아리랑명품관)

5.4Km    2021-12-01

17-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-5700

Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with traditional Korean crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of traditional Korean paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.

Gukje Embroidery - Insa-dong Branch (국제자수원 3호점 (인사동))

5.4Km    2020-05-07

41, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-0830

Opened in 1979, Kukjae Embroidery specializes in embroidered crafts using traditional Korean patterns. Every product is delicately and elegantly crafted by master artisans. Kukjae Embroidery is known as a frequent destination of foreign dignitaries. It offers a seminar where international tourists can learn how to make embroidered crafts.

Olive Young - Jongno YBM Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로YBM)

5.4Km    2024-04-19

104, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Insadong Cultural Street (인사동 문화의 거리)

5.4Km    2023-12-26

Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Insadong Cultural Street is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all around the world, thanks to its numerous art galleries, restaurants serving Korean table d’hote, traditional teahouses, and street vendors lining the streets. Its most recognizable feature is the use of Hangeul (Korean script) in storefronts, which allows the visitors to really see just what makes this place so special. Unlike the nearby Ikseon-dong Hanok Street, Insadong Cultural Street has larger streets with wider stores, so it is much easier to traverse. On evenings and weekends, one can find buskers performing on the side of the road.

Haemong (해몽)

5.4Km    2021-03-19

15-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4229

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly. A Korean BBQ restaurant.

Tonymoly - Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (토니모리 을지로3가역점)

5.4Km    2024-06-27

B3-14, 131, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Haniljang (한일장)

5.4Km    2021-03-19

94, Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-7707

A bulgogi specialty restaurant located in Jongno, Seoul. The most famous menu is Korean beef bulgogi set menu. Experience bulgogi, a Korean traditional dish.

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

5.4Km    2024-03-18

(4-6th floor, Maru Art Center), 35-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6002-6456

Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs, which require reservation via email.