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

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

1.4Km    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.

Insadong Cultural Street (인사동 문화의 거리)

Insadong Cultural Street (인사동 문화의 거리)

1.4Km    2023-12-26

Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Insadong Cultural Street is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all around the world, thanks to its numerous art galleries, restaurants serving Korean table d’hote, traditional teahouses, and street vendors lining the streets. Its most recognizable feature is the use of Hangeul (Korean script) in storefronts, which allows the visitors to really see just what makes this place so special. Unlike the nearby Ikseon-dong Hanok Street, Insadong Cultural Street has larger streets with wider stores, so it is much easier to traverse. On evenings and weekends, one can find buskers performing on the side of the road.

Toin (토인)

Toin (토인)

1.4Km    2024-10-22

48 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-5142

Toy store where you can buy Dalgona sets
It is a retro-style store that sells nostalgic toys and snacks. The small space is filled with colorfully colored wrapping paper and toys that are difficult to understand at first glance. As soon as you enter this place, children and adults will feel excited and their eyes will sparkle. Among the various products, the most popular item is by far the Dalgona set. It is good to make new memories by choosing snacks and toys that suit your taste

Asin [Tax Refund Shop] (아신)

1.4Km    2024-04-19

1F, 50-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) (한지추억)

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) (한지추억)

1.4Km    2022-09-16

6, Insadong 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2059

Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared using traditional Korean processing methods, hanji is a type of beautiful, high-quality paper. Hanji Chueok is a great place to experience the tradition of hanji crafts; accessories, photo frames, and interior design items line the store shelves. Visitors can not only purchase extremely well-crafted items, but can also participate in seminars taught by professional artists to learn how to make their own hanji items. Visitors can take home their hanji creations as a lovely souvenir at the conclusion of the seminar.

Dolsilnai - Insa Branch (돌실나이 (인사점))

Dolsilnai - Insa Branch (돌실나이 (인사점))

1.4Km    2022-12-26

35, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-2232

To popularize hanbok, Dolsilnai offers modified hanbok suited for daily use. Focusing on simple elegance, Dolsilnai hanbok is known for all-cotton fabrics and pigment dyeing. While it doesn't ignore the beauty of traditional hanbok, Dolsilnai hanbok also emphasizes functional and practical qualities essential for modern daily living.

Yetchatjip (옛찻집)

1.4Km    2024-03-18

33-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5332

Yetchatjip in Insa-dong offers a variety of teas including ssanghwacha (medicinal herb tea), jujube tea, lotus leaf tea, ginger tea, and citrus tea. Their signature dish during the summer is the yennal patbingsu (old-fashioned shaved ice with red beans), topped with sweet red bean and sweet rice cakes, served on finely shaved ice. Additionally, they offer traditional Korean snacks such as grilled rice cake stick, yakgwa (honey cookie), and traditional Korean sweets to accompany the tea.

Insa-dong Chatjip (인사동찻집)

Insa-dong Chatjip (인사동찻집)

1.4Km    2024-03-15

33-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-4909

Insa-dong Chatjib is a traditional hanok tea house located in Insa-dong. Here, you can enjoy a variety of traditional teas brewed in-house. One of their signature menu items is the hobak sikhye (pumpkin sweet rice punch). They also offer other options such as jujube tea, ginger tea, and more. Many people visit to enjoy a leisurely time sipping tea in the serene atmosphere of the hanok. Nearby attractions include Ssamzigil and the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, making it a great place to explore together.

Gana Glasses - Myeong-dong 2nd Branch (가나안경원 (명동2호점))

Gana Glasses - Myeong-dong 2nd Branch (가나안경원 (명동2호점))

1.4Km    2020-04-24

33, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-6372

Gana Glasses is a popular shop among Japanese tourists and is known for having high-quality eyeglasses at reasonable prices. Precision of products and swift delivery to customers are high priorities. The shop boasts a wide variety of products: imported luxury brands, Korean products, and colorful accessories.

Haemong (해몽)

Haemong (해몽)

1.4Km    2021-03-19

15-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4229

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly. A Korean BBQ restaurant.