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

Insa-dong (인사동)

7.7Km    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.

STAY dayoff (스테이 데이 오프)

7.7Km    2024-12-23

6 , Jahamun-ro 1da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2406

Stay Day Off is a hanok stay just off Jahamun-no - known locally as ‘Food Street’ - in Seochon Village to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. It’s a 5-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3, so transport access is good. The main building comprises two bedrooms with queen-size bed, a living room and kitchen, and two bathrooms. The annex building is rather special: it has a bath and sauna behind a window wall with a fine view of the hanok garden. There’s a 10% discount for guests staying more than two nights during the week.

Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동떡볶이골목)

7.8Km    2022-10-25

10-18, Dasan-ro 33-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Sindang-dongTteokbokki Town started in the late '70s, although the alley did not become famous until the '80s. At that time, each restaurant had its own DJ booth, with the image of the "cool DJ" who played the music becoming a symbol of Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town. In addition, this period also marked the prime time of high school baseball where students would crowd the streets on days when Duksoo Commercial High School and Sunrin Commercial High School (now Sunrin Internet High School) played against one another. Although these high school students have aged, they continue to visit the area, reliving their youth and continuing to indulge in the specialty tteokbokki.

However, some claim the history of this alley began in the 1950s. The owner of Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki restaurant says tteokbokki was being sold as early as 1953 as the area used to be home to Donga Theater and she sold tteokbokki, corn and potatoes to those visiting the theater. At first, tteokbokki was simply made with gochujang (red chili paste) but as time went by, cooks decided the dish could be more than just a snack. By adding ingredients like eggs, cellophane noodles, fish cakes, instant noodles and more recently squid, prawn and cheese, tteokbokki can be made more delicious and turns this beloved snack into a full meal.

Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi (순라길 예 & 비비)

7.8Km    2025-01-23

55 Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
02-3672-1599

Situated in Sulla-gil, the Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi is a roaster café where each bean is handpicked. It also offers a range of wine selections. The café is a perfect place to relax after exploring downtown Seoul. The cozy atmosphere of the café with the added charm of the stone wall visible from café, makes visitors feel at ease and relaxed. The evenings here turn into a music and movie session, adding a lively atmosphere to the space.

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

7.8Km    2024-04-17

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

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The Souvenir Fair (2025 대한민국 관광기념품 박람회)

7.8Km    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.

Ojugine (오죽이네)

7.8Km    2024-12-10

Ojugine is a restaurant that specializes in dak maeuntang, a spicy chicken stew that is different from dak bokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken), as the former has more soup than the latter. The stew is served whilst boiling, so one just needs to let it sit for a bit on the table before digging in. The spicy sauce and chicken are a match made in heaven, and the same goes for this dish. Interestingly, Ojugine uses smaller chickens to prepare their dishes, so the flesh braises in the stock faster. The resulting combination is sure to offer a memorable meal. Any remaining soup can be reused as a sauce for fried rice after the main meal, so visitors are advised to leave some space in their stomach.

Black Yak - Yangjae Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (블랙야크 양재)

7.8Km    2024-04-18

201, Baumoe-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

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Daelim Museum (대림미술관)

7.8Km    2022-07-29

21, Jahamun-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-0667

The Daelim Museum, built by the Daelim Group, was first established in Daejeon in 1996 and later moved to Jongno, Seoul in 2002. The art gallery studies, analyzes, and presents modern art through the lens of photography and holds exhibitions centered around photo media.

The museum is located in the residential area of Tongui-dong, near the time-honored Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum, which was designed by French architect, Vincent Cornu, and built by the Daelim Corporation, opened its door to the public in late May 2002.

On the first floor, there is a garden, parking lot, reception desk, storage area, and conference room. On the second and third floor are offices and exhibition hall approximately 595 m² in size, consisting of small and large rooms, a long gallery, and a special high-ceilinged exhibition space. On the fourth floor, there is a seminar room that can seat up to 120 guests and a balcony with a beautiful view. From the balcony of the seminar room, Visitors can also enjoy a wide open view of Inwangsan Mountain and Bukhansan Mountain. The stained glass panels (designed to reflect the beauty of traditional Korean wrapping cloth) and the scenic lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building add to the overall charm.

Above all else, the museum was designed with consideration of the photos, which are very sensitive to humidity, light, and temperature.

Olive Young - Omokgyo Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 오목교역)

7.8Km    2024-04-18

344, Omok-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul

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