Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

1.9Km 2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

1.9Km 2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes.

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Nolbu Budaejjigae Myeongdong (놀부부대찌개 명동)

1.9Km 2024-03-11

16-1, Myeongdong, 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-0110

Situated in Myeongdong, Nolbu Budaejjigae in Myeongdong is exclusively dedicated to budae jjigae (sausage jjigae). Budae jjigae is a typical Korean fusion food consisting of ham, sausage, kimchi, extra instant noodles, tiny rice cakes, glass noodles, and spicy seasonings. They use selected ham and sausage in a bone broth, and fresh noodles that are not fried, giving the dish a light and refreshing flavor. Patrons have the option to spicy stir-fried small intestine and shrimp hot pot. The seasoned spicy stir-fried webfoot octopus or spicy stir-fried chicken cooked on an iron plate is also a must-try.

James Cheese Deunggalbi Myeongdong (제임스치즈등갈비 명동)

1.9Km 2024-03-11

13, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-0192

Situated on Myeongdong Street, James Cheese Deunggalbi specializes in deunggalbi (grilled pork galbi). The main dish here is grilled back ribs with cheese, which is characterized by the harmonious combination of Korean food and cheese. Served with bokkeum bap (fried rice) and gyeran jjim (steamed eggs) riceballs, the dish has a richer flavor with less spiciness. The best part is that customers can choose the amount of cheese and the spiciness of the dish, so they can personalize it to their liking.

Meongseokjip (멍석집)

1.9Km 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.

Dami Porridge (다미죽)

1.9Km 2024-03-11

38, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-5077

Located in Myeongdong Street, Dami Porridge focuses on porridge. Their delectable porridges are made with a variety of seafood including abalone as well as mushrooms. Porridge is easy to digest and full of nutrients, so it's recommended for when you're not feeling well.

Jongro Seolleongtang (종로설렁탕)

1.9Km 2021-03-19

110, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2271-3820

A restaurant selling Korean-style healthy broth-based dishes. The best menu at this restaurant is ox bone soup. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Choong Ang High School (중앙고등학교)

1.9Km 2024-10-24

164 Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1321

Choong Ang High School is located in Jong-ro near Samcheongdong-gil. It was built to educate the public at the beginning of the 20th century. The school’s main building was reconstructed in 1937 after the original two-story brick house was destroyed in 1934. The main building situated in front of the main gate is a two-story H-shaped granite stone building in Gothic style, with a four-story tower in the middle.

The school holds historical significance because it was designed by Park Dong Jin, one of Korea's first modern architects and the designer of Korea University’s main building, library, and the Chosun Ilbo Newspaper Company building. The main building of Choong Ang High School is designated as Historic Site No. 281. Many national leaders were educated at the gothic building during the grim period when Korea was trying to escape Japanese colonial rule.

Harmonymart Myeong-dong

1.9Km 2021-04-08

B1, Gyeongdo Bldg, 21-7, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-6365-2203

Harmony Mart is a discount mart that sells various food products and everyday items. The Myeong-dong Branch in Seoul stands out among the branches of the mart throughout the country in terms of sales and service items due to its geographical characteristics. Mainly Asian tourists from China, Japan, etc. do their shopping in the store for tax exemption later. Famous items are REAL BROWNIE, CHAM BUNGEOBBANG, BUTTER WAFFLE, and other snacks. A lot of tourists visit the “Global Tax Free” around Myeongdong Station since it provides a tax refund service for foreigners. For the convenience of tourists, the store staffs, who are native speakers, communicate with foreign tourists and the store also provides EMS (Express Mail Service).

Choegojip Sutbul Dakgalbi Jeonmunjeom(최고집숯불닭갈비전문점)

1.9Km 2021-04-14

21-7, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-3334

It is a place where you can enjoy a variety of toppings for Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken) that is popular in Korea. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is spicy stir-fried chicken.

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) - Area information - Korea travel information