Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

1.2Km 2025-06-19

4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

Jirisan Restaurant (지리산)

1.3Km 2019-08-01

30, Insadong 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-4696

Jirisan is one of the representative Korean restaurants in Insa-dong, an area known for its traditional culture. One of the trademarks of this restaurant, besides its amazingly delectable bean and tofu dishes, is a wooden sign that welcome guests into a neat and cozy interior.

Each day, fresh beans are ground at the restaurant to prepare dishes such as soybean paste, soft tofu, and bean-curd tofu stew. Bean-curds are prepared by using seawater, which gives the tofu a unique flavor. The fresh and clean taste of the tofu is one of the many reasons that choosey tofu aficionados flock to the restaurant.

Not just limited to tofu, Jirisan presents customers with a full-range of side dishes such as kimchi, japchae (glass noodles with sautéed vegetables), cucumber kimchi, seasoned seaweed, braised lotus roots, roasted yellow corbinas (a type of fish), leafy greens, bean-curd stew, and more. The restaurant gives visitors a chance to experience a hearty traditional Korean-style meal, but has thoughtfully toned down its seasonings to appeal to a wider audience (particularly those not used to spicy foods).

One of the recommended menu items is the Jirisan set meal, which offers diners the chance to sample foods that are popular in the Jirisan region. Adventurous diners may want to try the sea urchin soup or dried Pollack soup.

The restaurant, originally a traditional Korean house, has been modified over the years to better suit the needs of its customers. The walls surrounding the structure were removed and a glass ceiling was installed to allow guests to enjoy the natural light of the sun as they sample some of the area’s best traditional Korean cuisine.

Hotel Crown Insadong (호텔 크라운-인사동)

1.3Km 2021-02-10

9, Samil-daero 30-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3676-8000

Hotel Crown is a premier hotel that was renovated in May 2002. The hotel is in close proximity to Jongno and Insa-dong, making it a convenient place to stay for tourists.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

1.3Km 2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Jeonjugol Sutbulgalbi (전주골숯불갈비)

1.3Km 2021-03-22

15, Donhwamun-ro, 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-2582

It is famous as a regular hang-out spot of the well-known Korean MC (Hae Song). This restaurant's signature menu is grilled beef ribs. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Sungkok Art Museum (성곡미술관)

1.3Km 2021-02-10

42, Gyeonghuigung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-7650

Sungkok Art Museum was founded in 1995 by the Korean corporation Ssangyong to promote Korean art. The gallery offers a special exhibition featuring modern artworks of Korean artists, as well as competitions and sponsorships to develop Korean art. In addition to the main building, there is an annex, as well as a tea house and art shop.

Chanyangjip (찬양집)

1.3Km 2021-03-29

5, Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-743-1384

A popular attraction since the early 1970’s, this rather shabby and hard-to-spot restaurant has attracted many customers with its representative menu item, haemul kalguksu (seafood noodle soup). The soup is delicious and plenty enough for a hearty meal compared to its relatively low price. The noodles are chewy as they are freshly prepared every day and the clam-broth soup is full of flavor. The appearnce of this restaurant may seem old, but it's a recommended spot for a simple and delicious meal.

Meongseokjip (멍석집)

1.3Km 2021-03-29

7, Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-4620

This restaurant is frequently used as a place for group dinners by office workers. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled pork belly. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Chamchi Maeul (참치마을)

1.3Km 2021-03-22

31, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1671

This is a restaurant where you can enjoy several parts of tuna. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sliced raw tuna.

Jeongwon Sutbulgalbi (정원숯불갈비)

1.3Km 2021-03-22

8, Donhwamun-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-1305

A place where you can experience the Korean BBQ culture. This restaurant's signature menu is marinated grilled beef ribs. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information