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

Insa-dong (인사동)

1.5Km    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.

Tteok Museum (떡박물관)

1.5Km    2021-09-29

71, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-5447

The Tteok Museum displays over 2,000 Korean kitchen utensils and tteok (rice cake) related items, arranged by various themes. The displayed utensils are handmade household necessities that are ingenuous, yet reveal the lifestyle of the working class. The elderly may relive fond childhood memories and the younger generation can experience the wisdom of ancestors through the rare kitchen utensils.

Jilsiru -Rice Cake Café (떡카페 질시루)

1.5Km    2020-04-24

71, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-0258

Jilsiru is a modern cafe serving a panoply of traditional snacks. Customers may enjoy the wide variety of tteok (rice cake), hangwa (Korean traditional sweets & cookies), and traditional organic beverages at this cafe with a sophisicated interior.

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

1.5Km    2024-04-17

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

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Insa Art Plaza (인사아트 프라자)

1.5Km    2020-04-23

34-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-9969

Hosujip (호수집)

1.5Km    2021-03-30

443, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-0695

It is a restaurant where people wait in line as a hidden restaurant for locals in Chungjeong-ro. The best menu at this restaurant is spicy braised chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Jeongdong Guksi (정동국시)

1.5Km    2024-06-19

5 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-732-0114

Jeongdong Guksi features a rich soup with a clean taste, created by carefully removing the oil dozens of times while boiling Korean beef bones for 15 hours. The restaurant uses this same beef bone broth in their mandutguk (dumpling soup), something not many restaurants do. The rich flavor of the broth combined with the soft dumplings, made in-house daily, is a must-try. The restaurant is also surrounded by many cultural and artistic spaces, making it a great addition to tours in the area.

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

1.5Km    2022-08-31

jiha 189, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-9598

Sejong-ro Park is located next to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Inside the park, there are wooden benches and shaded areas where people can sit and relax. Also available are water fountains, a round outdoor stage, and various sculptures. The lunch crowd from the nearby office buildings often come to the park during weekdays. On the weekends, the park is also used as a venue for outdoor weddings.

Seoul's anthem and the poem "Bulnori" by Ju Yo-han are written on a memorial stone that can be found inside the park.

Seoullo 7017 (서울로 7017)

1.5Km    2024-10-29

432, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Originally opened in 1970, Seoullo 7017 was an elevated road that crossed over the Seoul Station railway, but when it became dilapidated and unusable for traffic, it was converted into a park in 2017. It is about 17 metres above the ground and offers a panoramic view of the Seoul Station Railway and the city of Seoul. It is directly connected to Seoul Station.

HANILKWAN - Gwanghwamun Branch (한일관 광화문)

1.5Km    2024-03-18

50, Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7557

It is a store that has been operating with a long tradition since 1939. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is bulgogi.