Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장) - Area information - Korea travel information

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

5.6Km    2025-06-17

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.  

Myeongdong Guesthouse Como (명동게스트하우스 꼬모)

Myeongdong Guesthouse Como (명동게스트하우스 꼬모)

5.6Km    2024-12-23

12 , Toegye-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5437

Como is a guesthouse in Jongno-gu, Seoul, just 3-minute’s walk away from Myeongdong Station on Line 4. Como is particularly popular with foreign travelers: staff are fluent in English and Chinese, and luggage storage is free of charge. Rooms come in different sizes to cater from single travelers to family groups, and all have a separate bathroom and toilet. Must-see local sights such as Namsan Seoul Tower, Sungnyemun Gate, and Namdaemun Market are easily reached by car or bus.

Balwoo Gongyang (발우공양)

5.6Km    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)

5.6Km    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.

Stori (스토리)

Stori (스토리)

5.6Km    2020-02-21

217, Heojun-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-7101

Stori features items using Korean materials and designs. Made by Cho Myeong-hee, the art director of Louis Quartorze.

Stori boasts handmade bags made of soft leather, print canvas fabrics, and mother-of-pearl accents. Bags with Korean patterns such as bokjumeoni ("lucky bags" in Korea) are unique items found in Stori.

KYUNGBOKKUNG(경복궁)

KYUNGBOKKUNG(경복궁)

5.6Km    2020-10-29

65, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-2004

This Korean cuisine is located near Jonggak Station, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled Korean beef sirloin. Assorted specials include loin, flank steak, and top blade of beef for barbecue.

Honghwa Jokbal Bindaetteok (홍화족발빈대떡)

Honghwa Jokbal Bindaetteok (홍화족발빈대떡)

5.6Km    2021-03-26

65, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-0614

A great place for group dinners and gatherings. This restaurant's signature menu is braised pigs' feet. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

5.6Km    2025-06-18

38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-6526

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving its hearty seolleongtang for over a hundred years since it first opened in 1907. Even its name has a long history: the word imun comes from Imun-gol, the now-obsolete name of the restaurant’s location, and seolnongtang, an old variation of the word seolleongtang. During the Japanese colonial rule, the restaurant’s regular customers included Gijeong Son, the marathon gold-medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The meal served at this restaurante is reputed to stay consistent from the Japanese colonial period. 

Ouga (오우가)

Ouga (오우가)

5.6Km    2021-03-19

42, Myeongdong, 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-7533

A restaurant where you can experience the food culture with lots of Korean side dishes. This Korean dishes is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is leaf wraps and meat set menu.

Insa-dong PR Center (인사동홍보관)

Insa-dong PR Center (인사동홍보관)

5.6Km    2017-07-26

19 Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-82-737-7890~1

Insa-dong PR Center opened in 2006 with the goal of providing accessible education for both domestic and international visitors to understand Korean traditions and history. It was built in what was once the private residence for Prince Uichin (1877-1955), one of the sons of Emperor Gojong (1852-1919).

Insa-dong PR Center also introduces the traditions and culture of Insa-dong, and provides tour pamphlets and tourist assistance in multiple languages (English, Japanese and Chinese). Visitors can try on hanbok (traditional costumes) and enjoy Wi-Fi within the facility.