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

7.4Km 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)”

Seobungmyeonok (서북면옥)

7.4Km 2021-04-20

199-1, Jayang-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-457-8319

It is a 100-year-old store that has been loved by customers for a long time while maintaining its reputation for over 30 years. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is cold buckwheat noodles.

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

7.4Km 2023-02-23

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-8547

Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. Passageways for traffic are located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun Gate’s tablet has its name written vertically.

On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate was re-opened to the public again on May 4, 2013.

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

7.4Km 2021-12-30

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4622

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong and Da-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food.

Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes.

Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods.

Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes.

[Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Myeong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul
Area size: 872,809 ㎡
Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

7.4Km 2024-04-19

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

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Mirakjeong (미락정)

7.4Km 2021-03-30

52, Sejong-daero 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-7210

It is a place where pork cutlet is made directly with domestic pork. This restaurant's signature menu is house-made jumbo sized pork cutlet. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Mangnae Hoejip (막내회집)

7.4Km 2021-04-09

34-11, Namdaemunsijang, 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5115

It is a Hoejip (raw fish restaurant) with 26 years’ tradition. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is sliced raw flatfish.

Doseonsa Temple (도선사)

7.4Km 2020-03-30

504, Samyang-ro 173-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Doseonsa Temple was established 1,100 years ago during the latter part of the Silla Kingdom when the renowned Buddhist priest Doseonguksa was traveling through the mountains. After visiting the site, Doseonguksa made a prophecy that led to the construction of the temple. According to legend, he used only his walking stick to carve the large Bodhisattva that sits at the temple. Interestingly enough, the statue does not show any evidence of chisel marks, further adding to the mystery of how the statue was made.

During the 7th year of King Gwangmu of the Joseon dynasty, Doseonsa Temple was officially named the representative temple of Korea with the purpose of promoting Cheongdamdaejongsa's Korean Buddhism movement, aiming at a religious revival. Due to these special circumstances Deseonsa Temple gained a high reputation and much recognition, which have held strong to this day.

Inside the temple, visitors can view the remains and written works of Cheongdamdaejongsa in the Cheongdamdaejongsa Memorial Hall. Next to the road leading to Cheonbuljeon Hall is a pond where you can toss a coin and make a wish and just past Yongammun Gate is a hiking path connecting Baegundae Cliff and Insubong Peak. Inside the Ksitigarbha Hall are portraits of President Park Chung-hee, Yuk Yeong-su, and Hyundai Chairman Chung Ju-yung. In front of the hall is a tree that is said to have been planted by a Buddhist priest who brought it from India 200 years ago. Historical artifacts can be found throughout the temple.

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

7.5Km 2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Maehwa Banjeom (매화반점)

7.5Km 2024-03-19

96 Dongil-ro 18-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-498-1939

Maehwa Banjeom offers a fusion of Lamb skewers, lamb chops, and traditional Chinese cuisine. Fresh vegetables and sauces are used daily to prepare dishes upon order. While yangkkochi (lamb skewers) and guobaorou (sweet and sour pork in sweet rice batter) are signature dishes, gaji bokkeum (stir-fried eggplant) and cream saeu (shrimp with cream sauce) are also popular choices. Located within the alley of Lamb Skewers Street, just 300 meters from Exit 5 of Konkuk University Station.

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