Find Traditional Korea in Insadong

Walking distance from palaces and Gwanghwamun Square, Insadong is a traditional, higher end neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea with shopping, temples and excellent people watching. Cobbled streets lined with quaint little shops and family-run restaurants, Insadong has a sprawling network of alleyways housing 40% of the country’s art galleries and antique shops and 90 percent of its traditional stationary shops. If you need to get some gifts for people or a meaningful souvenir, this is the place to do it.

Insadong Street | Photo credit: ShareAlike

Insadong-gil 

Insadong-gil, or Insadong Street is the central walking street through the neighborhood, and is filled with stores where you can get traditional art like painted masks and calligraphy sets; small restaurants and food carts with delicious Korean food, street performances and more.

Ssamzie-gil

Ssamzie-gil is a 4-story unique shopping center with over 70 shops, including a poop-themed cafe. You access the shopping center from Insadong Street at the first level and follow an artful spiral path to the 3 other floors of small shops, cafes, workshops and art galleries. 

Ddong Café Poop cafe

On the roof of Ssamzie-gil, you’ll find Ddong Cafe, totally dedicated to everything poop. The cafe has colorful mini plungers hanging from the ceiling, toilets as seats and mini ones used as cups for some beverages. Its best experienced rather than read about. Just go.

Jogyesa Temple

An easy 5 minute walk from Insadong Street is Jogyesa Temple, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Like Bongeusna Temple, Jogyesa is one of the few temples in a city.

The best time to visit Jogyesa Temple is in the fall during the Buddha’s birthday, the Lotus Lantern and the Chrysanthemum Festivals when you can see the temple ground decorated with gorgeous flowers and colorful lanterns. 

You can eat like a monk at Balwoo Gongyang across the street from the temple. They serve delicious, vegan Korean temple food. Reservation is required 02-733-2081. Click here for more info.

Visit a Nearby Palace

Insadong is within easy walking distance to two of Korea’s incredible palaces: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.

Make sure you visit at least one of these palaces; they are the best showing of ancient life and architecture in Korea.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the biggest and grandest of the five royal complexes still remaining from the Joseon era; it’s a gigantic complex that includes throne halls, banquet halls, bridges, pavilions, courtyards and more gated entrances that you can count.

Opened in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace, is the the largest of Seoul’s palaces, and is home to the imposing Gwanghwamun Gate and the beautiful Hyangwonjeong pavilion, surrounded by a lotus-flooded pond. 

Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung Palace is the only Seoul palace that’s a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.

The palace’s Secret Garden, or huwon, is 78-acres filled with over 26,000 trees of 100 different species.

Rent a Hanbok

Insadong is the place to rent a hanbok, traditional Korean outfit, and get the best tourists pictures around town and at the palaces. While you rarely see people walk on the street in hanbok in Seoul, Insadong is one of a few areas where you could comfortably stride in hanbok. 

Find a shop and pick out your style, most shops will also do your hair.

Eat and Drink Tea

Insadong is filled with small restaurants down alleyways and straight up street food. Restaurants on Insadong street are more likely to have English menus, but feel safe to explore some of the back streets and alleys for some delicious food and experiences.

Insadong is a good place to try some Korean tea, especially if you can’t make it to Boseong Green Tea fields. Try Shin Old Teahouse (신옛찻집), a 100-year old teahouse in a traditional Korean hanok home. In true Korean style, its all floor seating as you sip on some great Korean teas.