What’s with the Hair(털이 뭐길래!) - Area information - Korea travel information

What’s with the Hair(털이 뭐길래!)

1.9Km    2025-06-04

서울특별시 종로구 동숭길 130-5 (동숭동)

Nuri (누리)

Nuri (누리)

1.9Km    2019-11-26

23, Insadong 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-7848

Located in the neighborhood of Insa-dong, traditional Korean lunch box and tea restaurant Nuri brings out the true beauty of hanok while implementing western dining culture with tables and chairs.

Nuri uses the finest grains directly from agricultural regions throughout the country, offering nutritious rice along with mildly seasoned side dish menus, taking advantage of the ingredients' natural flavors. Nuri uses its effective take-out and delivery system to cater to businesses and events.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

1.9Km    2025-01-17

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

NOON Square (눈스퀘어)

NOON Square (눈스퀘어)

1.9Km    2020-05-07

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3783-5005

NOON Square is a large shopping complex located at the center of Myeong-dong, known as a mecca of fashion and culture. It features a wide range of both domestic and international fashion brands. The highlight of NOON Square is Level 5 located on the 5th floor. Level 5 is designed with a concept of "multi-shop within multi-shop," featuring unique and original fashion goods designed by new independent designers. In addition, NOON Square is the first venue in Korea to install an outdoor escalator.

H&M - Myeongdong Branch No.1 (H&M - 명동1호점)

1.9Km    2015-12-18

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3783-4881

H&M, established in Sweden in 1947, is a global fashion brand with more than 2,000 stores in over 35 countries throughout the world. There are currently three H&M stores in Korea.

The H&M Myeongdong branch no.1 occupies four floors, each with a unique interior, inside Noon Square (shopping mall). It sells a wide variety of clothes and other fashion items for women, men and children. It also introduces new designs and items by over 100 designers every day.

Okjeong (옥정)

Okjeong (옥정)

1.9Km    2021-03-19

18, Insadong, 12-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-5412

A traditional Korean restaurant serving hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hôte) for 30 years now. The representative menu is Korean table d''hote. This is a Korean cuisine located in Insa-dong, Seoul.

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

1.9Km    2025-06-18

38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-6526

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving its hearty seolleongtang for over a hundred years since it first opened in 1907. Even its name has a long history: the word imun comes from Imun-gol, the now-obsolete name of the restaurant’s location, and seolnongtang, an old variation of the word seolleongtang. During the Japanese colonial rule, the restaurant’s regular customers included Gijeong Son, the marathon gold-medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The meal served at this restaurante is reputed to stay consistent from the Japanese colonial period. 

Jirisan Restaurant (지리산)

Jirisan Restaurant (지리산)

1.9Km    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.

Innisfree - Myeong-dong Chungmu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 명동충무)

Innisfree - Myeong-dong Chungmu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 명동충무)

1.9Km    2024-04-16

28-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Knife Gallery (나이프갤러리)

Knife Gallery (나이프갤러리)

1.9Km    2020-04-30

7, Insadong 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4431

The only knife specialty museum in Korea, this Insa-dong gallery is home to over 6,000 knives from all over the world. They include traditional Korean and Japanese knives, Chinese knives, decorative knives, knives by famous artists, and knives shown in movies. There are a variety of knives for both daily and decorative uses. Customers who order custom knives may observe the entire manufacturing process.