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

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

89.4M    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.

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

96.9M    2025-06-19

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ssamzigil is an Insa-dong landmark and a shopping mall specializing in crafts. It is a place where the traditions of Korea come together with its present. Follow the paths that lead seamlessly from the lower floors to the upper floors and browse the small craft shops that inhabit the floors. You can find both works of traditional craft and contemporary craft here. Some craft shops also offer craft experiences, and one can also find restaurants and galleries within the complex.

HIDE AND SEEK - Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)

HIDE AND SEEK - Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)

96.6M    2024-11-13

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm
This is where TXT members enjoyed escape games on their own series, “TO DO X TXT.” Chosen as the tagger by random draw, Huening Kai showed impressive game skills, using his instincts to “eliminate” the other members.

Vegetarian Restaurant Osegyehyang (채식요리전문점 오세계향)

98.6M    2024-03-18

14-5 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-7171

Osegyehyang is a vegetarian restaurant located in Insa-dong. It specializes in vegetarian cuisine, offering a variety of dishes including noodles, traditional Korean dishes, and specialty items. Some of its popular dishes include maesil tangsuchae (vegan deep-fried pork with sweet and sour sauce), pyogobeoseotmari (rolled shiitake mushrooms), vegan yangnyeom chicken (vegan seasoned fried chicken), tteokbokki, jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles), jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), vegan steak, and bulgui ttukbaegi (vegan bulgogi), all prepared without meat but still delicious.

WANBAEK BUDAE JJIGAE(완백부대찌개)

WANBAEK BUDAE JJIGAE(완백부대찌개)

103.0M    2020-11-25

44 Insadong-gil Jongno-gu Seoul
+82-2-722-5397

It is a restaurant introduced in the cartoon “Sikgaek.” The best menu at this restaurant is sausage stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Korean Craft & Design Foundation Gallery Shop (KCDF 갤러리숍 공예정원)

110.9M    2021-07-08

8, Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-9041

The Korean Craft & Design Foundation Gallery Shop displays and sells high-quality Korean handicrafts, stamped with the UNESCO Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts. The shop possesses handicrafts by renowed master craftsmen and artists. Crafts have both practical and decorative uses.

Jirisan Restaurant (지리산)

Jirisan Restaurant (지리산)

114.1M    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.

Busan Sikdang(부산식당)

Busan Sikdang(부산식당)

115.7M    2021-04-09

12 Insadong 11-gil Jongno-gu Seoul
+82-2-733-5761

It is a house where you can eat hot and spicy Daegutang (Codfish Soup). This restaurant's signature menu is codfish stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Insadong Sagwanamu (인사동사과나무)

Insadong Sagwanamu (인사동사과나무)

119.8M    2021-03-29

24-1, Insadong 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5051

This is where you can dine on the outdoor terrace. This restaurant's signature menu is steak. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Busan Sikdang (부산식당)

Busan Sikdang (부산식당)

122.3M    2021-03-24

12, Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-5761

Busan Sikdang has been operated in one location since 1976. They offer clean and plain soup and properly-cooked rice prepared upon the customers' arrival.