Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

3.4Km    2023-01-17

196, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-7319

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

Golden Bull (골든불)

Golden Bull (골든불)

3.4Km    2020-05-14

60, Itaewon-ro 42-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-7073

Golden Bull, located in a renovated company basement, is the second brand of 2017 Michelin Guide inductee “Koroviar”, aiming to bring same quality with same ingredients at a lower cost. Visitors can enjoy premier steak and other dishes at a lower cost, and with a large hall fitting at most 50 people. Visitors can plan your next company dinner, wine meetings, birthdays or other events without any additional rental fees.
The restaurant serves hanwoo (Korean beef) grade 1+, the highest quality, at a cost of a regular restaurant, and with a fairly priced side dishes and drinks. The restaurant also offers Western and European style dishes to please the taste of diverse customers. The restaurant has about 10 parking spaces with nearby public parking spaces, and is located about five minutes from Hangangjin Station.

Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel (임피리얼 팰리스 부티크 호텔)

Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel (임피리얼 팰리스 부티크 호텔)

3.4Km    2021-03-09

221, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Situated in the heart of Itaewon, an international shopping district in Seoul, Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel has the perfect location for business and leisure travelers. The guestrooms are decorated with pop-art paintings to give a more comfortable and trendy ambience. The hotel also provides a conference room, gym, dining options, and more.

Series; Corner [Tax Refund Shop] (시리즈코너)

Series; Corner [Tax Refund Shop] (시리즈코너)

3.4Km    2024-04-23

244, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

-

Kolon Series; - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (코오롱 시리즈 이태원)

Kolon Series; - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (코오롱 시리즈 이태원)

3.4Km    2024-04-18

244, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

-

Woomoolzip Changsin Branch (우물집 창신점)

Woomoolzip Changsin Branch (우물집 창신점)

3.4Km    2023-08-29

200, Changsin-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1318-7500

Woomoolzip specializes in hot pot and hot stone pot rice meals. Various vegetables are cooked on oil made after cooking Korean beef brisket for a taste that is sure to please. With a motif of a well, the design of the restaurant fits beautifully with nature. 

yyk [Tax Refund Shop] (와이와이케이)

yyk [Tax Refund Shop] (와이와이케이)

3.4Km    2024-06-27

13, Itaewon-ro 54ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

-

Homilbat (호밀밭)

Homilbat (호밀밭)

3.4Km    2021-03-30

43, Sinchonnyeok-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-5345

You can enjoy Korea’s signature summer staple Patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans). This cafe is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is shaved ice with red bean topping.

LE SOLEIL (르솔레이)

LE SOLEIL (르솔레이)

3.4Km    2024-03-18

28 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

LE SOLEIL is a dessert café in Yeonhui-dong that is small but constantly crowded with customers. About 20 kinds of madeleines of various ingredients fill the showcase. Representative menu items include Rose & Litchi Madeleine, which has a subtle rose scent and attractive litchi flesh, and Nurung Madeleine, which combines cream cheese and scorched rice toppings. Brûlée Madeleines with a luxurious vanilla scent and Truffle Madeleines with a truffle scent are also popular because they are not commonly seen elsewhere. Popular items will likely be sold out early, so it is best to check the information through their official Instagram before visiting.

Waryong Park (와룡공원)

Waryong Park (와룡공원)

3.4Km    2020-07-08

192, Waryonggongwon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-2845

Situated in Myeongryun-dong in Seoul and established in 1984, Waryong Park is located near Malbawi, one of the best overlooks from which to see the city of Seoul. The park is close to natural attractions such as Samcheong Park, Changgyeong Park, and Bugaksan Mountain.

Although it was difficult to grow trees in the park because of the shallowness of the soil, many citizens participated in the nationwide campaign to plant over 10 million trees across the country, transforming places like Waryong into lush areas filled with flowering plants.

In the park, spring blooms forth in a colorful assortment of cherry trees, plum blossoms, azaleas, and forsythias, making it a popular destination for family visitors. There are also a variety of excellent amenities: badminton courts, aerobic fields, fitness facilities, and pavilions, wonderful for exercise, leisurely walks, or simply taking a break.

A famous hiking trail, running between the Seoul Fortress Wall and Samcheong Park, passes right through the park. Flanked by cherry blossoms, the trail attracts nature lovers throughout the year and especially in spring, when the trees are in full bloom. The trail also passes by the Fortress Wall in Bugaksan Mountain.