Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

880.8M 2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes.

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Bvlgari [Tax Refund Shop] (불가리안경)

882.6M 2024-06-27

Store #3, 3, Sowol-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Korea House (한국의집)

887.9M 2024-10-28

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building.

It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese.

In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.

Korea House (한국의집)

887.9M 2024-03-05

10 Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-9101

Located in the center of Seoul, Korea House is a must-visit tourism spot as a high-end cultural complex offering Hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), traditional refreshments, traditional performance arts, and traditional weddings, allowing visitors to feel the beauty of Korean culture and the taste of Korea. Guests can also enjoy the elegant beauty of hanok.

Korea House Café & Art Shop (한국의집 사랑 카페앤아트샵)

887.9M 2021-06-30

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2270-1190

Korea House Café & Art Shop strives to promote traditional crafts and culture through handmade traditional Korean products. They also play an important role in the production of traditional crafts globally.
The shopwares are created using traditional patterns, designs, and sculptural aesthetics in accordance with craftsmanship that has been passed down for generations. Visitors can also learn more about the culture of Korean crafts at the shop. They also offer counseling for traditional wedding ceremonies.

Sungnyemun Imported Goods Shopping Center (숭례문(남대문) 수입상가)

889.9M 2023-06-13

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-2951

Sungnyemun Imported Goods Shopping Center consists of two underground floors within the Daehan Hwaje Building (B3F-22F). The building is easy to locate among the low buildings of Namdaemun Market. In addtion to many items, the shopping center is particularly known for its cameras and audio equipment. Main items also include trekking items, household items, electronics, and fishing gear.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

890.0M 2024-04-19

48, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jongro Seolleongtang (종로설렁탕)

891.5M 2021-03-19

110, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2271-3820

A restaurant selling Korean-style healthy broth-based dishes. The best menu at this restaurant is ox bone soup. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Traditional Performance at The Korea House (한국의집 전통예술공연 KOREA 심청)

892.5M 2024-08-16

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-2266-9101~3

The Korea House has been a venue for traditional performing arts for more than 20 years, presenting various musical performances, court dances, and folk dances such as Pungmulnori (farmers’ percussion performance), Talchum (mask dance), Pansori (a traditional narrative vocal performance), and Sinawi (an ensemble of eight traditional musical instruments).

At Korea House, visitors can discover the diverseness and richness of Korean music and art performance. Popular and nationally recognized intangible cultural asset holders such as An Sook Seon, Park Byeong Cheon, and Lee Chun Hui perform on the stage under director Jeong Jae Man.

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

893.8M 2024-10-25

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0500

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of Korea's traditional life while escaping from bustling city life. The traditional garden with its pavilion and old houses creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600th anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened 400 years later in 2394.

The five hanok premises at Namsangol Hanok Village once belonged to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. Each house was originally located in a different neighborhood, but they were all moved to this area and restored to their original form. The houses were rebuilt using their original materials, except for one house, where the materials were too old and deteriorated to be reused. The premises were carefully restored and replicated according to their original form to depict the owners’ social class and personality. These buildings are now used as an exhibit to portray the living environment during the Joseon dynasty and as a venue for educational and cultural programs for children and tourists.

Some of the unique programs and activities to participate in include wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, traditional etiquette school, and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo demonstrations and other various performances held around the village. Visitors can also try traditional games such as yunnori (traditional board game), or understand more about the area through a guided tour.

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목)) - Area information - Korea travel information