Insa-dong (인사동)

866.2M 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.

EPAIS (에페)

866.7M 2021-03-19

31, Jong-ro 31-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-8894

This is a Japanese cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is house-made pork loin cutlet. The favorite store of office workers.

Eyedaq Optician (아이닥안경)

867.3M 2020-04-24

6, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-0110

Associated with Eye Matrix of Japan, Eyedaq offers every kind of eyeglasses: from high myopic lenses to progressive lenses and sports glasses. Its main customers include those in need of special eyeglasses: police officers, firefighters, professional sports players (such as football and baseball players), and skin and scuba divers. As a service to its Japanese clientele, the shop provides overseas shipping options to Japan. Customized eyeglasses can be ordered online. In addition, Eyedaq boasts an array of famous imported brands such as Hoya, Seiko, Pentax, and Zeiss.

Choegojip Sutbul Dakgalbi Jeonmunjeom(최고집숯불닭갈비전문점)

868.6M 2021-04-14

21-7, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-3334

It is a place where you can enjoy a variety of toppings for Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken) that is popular in Korea. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is spicy stir-fried chicken.

Gwanghwamun Deungsim (광화문등심)

869.3M 2021-07-20

34, Jong-ro, 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-2020

A restaurant that’s popular among workers for group dinners, it sells grilled meat. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled boneless ribs.

Bando Camera - Myeong-dong Chungmu [Tax Refund Shop] (반도카메라 명동충무)

870.0M 2024-04-17

16, Samil-daero 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

-

Eunjujeong (은주정)

871.4M 2024-03-12

32, Changgyeonggung-ro 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-4669

Situated near Gwangjang Market, Eunjujeong focuses on kimchi jjigae. Served wrapped in lettuce, it offers a unique delicacy. They also sell barbecued pork belly, which is grilled in the traditional Korean style. After finishig the meal, it's recommended to take a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream right in front of the restaurant. Across Cheonggyecheon Stream is Gwangjang Market, which is also worth exploring, enriching the experience of the area.

Jinsadaek (진사댁)

873.3M 2024-03-15

30-1 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-9605

Jinsadaek is a traditional Korean restaurant located near Myeongdong Cathedral. It specializes in serving high-end Korean table d'hote prepared with ingredients such as beef, abalone, fish, soybean paste, blue crabs, and japchae. Additionally, they offer specialties like bori gulbi jeongsik (barley-aged dried yellow croaker set menu), ganjang gejang jeongsik (soy sauce marinated crab set menu).

Uke. Zamezip (육회자매집)

875.4M 2023-12-22

200-4 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

This restaurant is located in a corner of Gwangjang Market's alley, and its main menu is Yukhoe/Beef Tartare (raw beef made by cutting small pieces of beef with various seasonings). The lightness of raw meat, which cannot be found in grilled meat, and the harmony with the seasoning are impressive. If you eat it with egg yolk, sprouts, and pears served together, you can feel the depth of the true taste of raw meat. If you want to try something a little more Korean-style, try 'Yuktangi,' which comes with Tangtangi (a dish made by pounding wild octopus on a cutting board and cutting it into pieces) and Yukhoe. However, the octopus Yuktangi moves around when the food is served, so you must be careful.

Harmonymart Myeong-dong

876.4M 2021-04-08

B1, Gyeongdo Bldg, 21-7, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-6365-2203

Harmony Mart is a discount mart that sells various food products and everyday items. The Myeong-dong Branch in Seoul stands out among the branches of the mart throughout the country in terms of sales and service items due to its geographical characteristics. Mainly Asian tourists from China, Japan, etc. do their shopping in the store for tax exemption later. Famous items are REAL BROWNIE, CHAM BUNGEOBBANG, BUTTER WAFFLE, and other snacks. A lot of tourists visit the “Global Tax Free” around Myeongdong Station since it provides a tax refund service for foreigners. For the convenience of tourists, the store staffs, who are native speakers, communicate with foreign tourists and the store also provides EMS (Express Mail Service).

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