Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁)

546.722582738112m 101123 2024-03-04

464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-9090

Located near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace was a residence of royalty in Joseon period. It was the place where Gojong (1582-1919, reign 1864-1907), king of Joseon (1392-1897) and emperor of the Korean Empire (1897-1910), was born in, as well as the place where Heungseon Daewongun (1821-1898), his father, had resided in. Buildings include Noandang Hall, Norakdang Hall, and Irodang Hall. The Royal Residence offers programs like traditional weddings and traditional culture experiences, while the exhibition hall showcases Joseon-era artifacts.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사)

546.3924293338489m 256807 2024-01-05

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Insa-dong Geujip (인사동그집)

546.6109011180017m 28000 2024-03-18

3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-0575

Insa-dong Geujip is a hanok-style Korean restaurant located in a narrow alley in Insa-dong. Their signature dish, bulgogi yachaemari (bulgogi and vegetable roll), allows you to choose between stir-fried pork bulgogi, beef bulgogi, or chicken bulgogi. Visitors can enjoy the tangy and sweet flavor of the radish wrap filled with bulgogi and julienned vegetables, accompanied by side dishes and soybean paste stew. They also offer bulgogi nakji jeongol (bulgogi and octopus hot pot), cheolpan sogalbijjim (stir-fried marinated galbi on hot iron plate), and dolsot bibimbap (hot stone pot bibimbap) along with hahu yukhoe bibimbap (Korean beef tartare bibimbap).

Balwoo Gongyang (발우공양)

554.8184376998054m 18673 2024-01-05

56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Balwoo Gongyang, located in front of the main gate of Jogyesa Temple, is a temple food restaurant operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism. It was selected as a 1-star restaurant by the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 and it is so popular that reservations must be made a month in advance. “Balwoo” refers to meals for monks and it means that the act of eating is also a process to realizing the truth. The restaurant offers five types of course menus inspired by Buddhist teachings that are served in the order of Suljuksim, Juksang, Sangmi (嘗味), Dammi (噉味), Seungso (僧笑), Youmi (愈味), and Ipgasim. The menu is made with seasonal ingredients to bring out the best flavor of each season. The course meal starts with appetizing kimchi stew according to the traditional Korean meal culture. Then it is followed by porridge, seasonal salad, rice and stew, side dishes, tea, and dessert, satisfying both the taste buds and health. Those who wish to experience an authentic temple meal are recommended to try the Beop Course.

Templestay Information Center (템플스테이 홍보관)

554.8184376998054m 17533 2022-10-17

56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2031-2000

Templestay Information Center offers various information and services regarding templestays and temple meals for domestic and international visitors. The center also operates traditional cultural experiences, such as tea time with a Buddhist monk, traditional culture activities and more.

Vegetarian Restaurant Osegyehyang (채식요리전문점 오세계향)

554.9484912461727m 27850 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.

Dal Café (달 카페)

560.2926087044826m 14740 2024-03-18

94-1 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-7355

Dal Café is a café located in Bukchon Hanok Village, housed within a traditional Korean hanok. "Dal" means "moon" in Korean. The café is designed with lighting fixtures that give the impression of the moon hanging on the wall, making it a perfect spot for photography. The signature menu item here is the traditional Korean shaved ice with topping served in a traditional pot.

Isae - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이새 인사)

567.5482366171151m 0 2024-04-18

43-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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

570.6384809509439m 18992 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.

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

570.8901829214317m 70515 2024-03-04

44, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-0088

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.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁) - Area information - Korea travel information