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

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

2.0Km    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.

Seoul Jungbu Market (서울중부시장)

Seoul Jungbu Market (서울중부시장)

2.0Km    2022-09-13

35, Eulji-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-5617

At Jungbu Market, a wide assortment of dried food such as laver, seaweed, anchovies, yellow corbinas, squid, pollack, and dried filefish fillets are available at low prices. Known for both wholesale and retail sales, Jungbu Market offers goods at prices 20-30% lower than those found at other markets.

Each store only sells one or two types of seafood products, allowing for easy price comparison and top quality goods. Popular products include dried filefish fillets, laver, and Pollack. As of late, processed food has also started to make its way into the market.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] (국립현대미술관 덕수궁)

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] (국립현대미술관 덕수궁)

2.0Km    2023-06-23

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2022-0600

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] was originally built as an annex to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum specializes in seeking out and researching modern art, exhibiting and preserving it, supporting and developing educational programs, and furthering publications and international exchanges. Located within Deoksugung Palace, the center maintains a unique traditional atmosphere. The museum planned and showcased a total of 38 unique exhibitions from 1998 to 2005. Besides the exhibitions, the center has various performances such as music and mime, as well as lectures or seminars on artists' works.

On The Spot [Tax Refund Shop] (온더스팟)

On The Spot [Tax Refund Shop] (온더스팟)

2.0Km    2024-04-19

238-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Dalgaebi (달개비)

2.0Km    2024-03-15

16 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-82-2-765-2035, 2068

Dalgaebi is a restaurant specializing in Korean table d'hote, using fresh seasonal ingredients. Its flagship menu is the teukseon sangcharim jeongsik (special set menu), which includes porridge, seasonal dishes, main courses, and desserts. The galbi sangcharim (galbi course), featuring premium Korean beef galbi grilled over charcoal and served with soybean paste jjigae, is also popular. Known for its private dining spaces and upscale ambiance, reservations can be made via phone.

Songa Myeongga (손가명가)

Songa Myeongga (손가명가)

2.0Km    2021-03-19

13, Dadong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-1013

This Korean cuisine is located near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station, Seoul. It is a popular restaurant for group dinners. The representative menu is pork and kimchi stew.

Haengbokan Kongiyagi (행복한콩이야기)

Haengbokan Kongiyagi (행복한콩이야기)

2.0Km    2021-03-22

89-11, Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2274-2247

A hidden restaurant frequented by workers in Jongno. This restaurant's signature menu is bean sprout and rice soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

HiKR Ground (하이커 그라운드)

HiKR Ground (하이커 그라운드)

2.0Km    2024-10-14

40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Located inside the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center, HiKR Ground is a Korean tourism publicity center where visitors can experience K-pop and view media art at the same time. The name 'HiKR Ground' embodies the meaning that Korea (KR) will greet ("Hi") global tourists and become a playground. Notably, it provides Korean tourism content in multiple ways for the younger generation to enjoy. On the first floor, there is a space to enjoy various media arts through the large media screen HiKR Wall, where visitors can see "Landscape of the New City" by media artist Lee Lee-nam, and Korean tourism videos submitted by global hallyu fans. On the second floor, visitors can make their own K-pop music videos using the XR Live Studio. At the window facing the restored Cheonggyecheon Stream, there is a  mesmerizing artwork called ''North Wall'' by installation artist Suh Do-ho. On the third and fourth floors, visitors can get immersed in Korean local tourism through various arts, experiences, and exhibitions.

We Ride (위라이드)

2.0Km    2023-07-28

40 , Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

"The best way to tour Seoul"
With WeRide's certified tour guides, travelers can experience unforgettable memories by riding an electric bicycle to attractions hidden all over Seoul. The tour takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, and participants can safely tour around Seoul with a professional guide. The fun of electric bicycles adds to the joy of the guide's story of Korean culture. If there are guests who cannot ride bicycles, they can use electric rickshaws. There is also a bicycle rental service for bicycle riders traveling in Korea.

Chadolbakhin Jjukkumi - Jongro Branch (차돌박힌쭈꾸미 종로)

Chadolbakhin Jjukkumi - Jongro Branch (차돌박힌쭈꾸미 종로)

2.0Km    2021-03-19

47-1, Samil-daero 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2648-9163

You can eat jjukumi (webfoot octopus) with cheese fondue. The best menu at this restaurant is stir-fried webfoot octopus. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.