Woo Lae Oak (우래옥) - Area information - Korea travel information

Woo Lae Oak (우래옥)

3.5Km    2024-03-07

62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-0151

Woo Lae Oak is a Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles) restaurant established in 1949. Its signature dish is the Pyeongyang naengmyeon, known for their clean and light broth. Alongside the onmyeon (warm noodles), they also serve bulgogi, which complements the warm broth perfectly. The restaurant is renowned to the extent that customers often line up to dine, and it was selected for the Michelin Guide 2023.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

3.5Km    2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Horangii (호랑이)

Horangii (호랑이)

3.5Km    2023-12-22

157 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Horangii Coffee, located in Euljiro, Seoul, boasts a retro yet hip atmosphere. Furniture and picture frames with traces of time gone by and impressive props with the concept of a tiger come together to create a distinct atmosphere unique to this place. There are tables both inside and outside the cafe, but due to its small size, it is always crowded with customers. The signature menu items here are Horangii Latte and Fruit Sando. Horangii Latte has an impressive savory yet sweet flavor. Fruit Sando, made with whole fresh seasonal fruits, combines with soft whipped cream for a unique taste.

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

3.5Km    2023-12-22

283, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0243

Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall, built in 1396, was the city fortress wall that protected the capital city Seoul for over 600 years. The fortress wall was built along the terrains and although it became partially damaged during the modernization process, its original form remains well to this day, making it a cultural heritage that coexists with the modern city. The Seoul City Wall Museum, located in Heungjinjimun Park, is a museum containing the history and culture of city wall from the Joseon dynasty to the present. It is a cultural space with a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, city wall information center, and study room.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

3.5Km    2025-11-06

Eulji-ro 129, Jung-gu, Seoul

Going out of Exit 3 of Euljiro 3-ga Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 and turning to the alley, you will find many pubs selling Nogari/Dried Young Pollack (Korean people grill and dip it in red pepper paste to eat as a side dish with alcohol) and restaurants specializing in Golbaengi/Sea Snails (It is a kind of conch shell, and Korea people made it a seasoned dish and enjoy it with Somyeon/Thin Noodles or use it as a bar sack). People gather in small groups at every outdoor table and sit in every alley to enjoy beer and snacks on weekday evenings and weekends, so it isn't easy to find a seat.
Originally, this area was lined with various company buildings and shops selling tools. However, in 1980, the pub 'Eulji OB Bear' opened, and as similar pubs opened nearby, it naturally came to be called 'Euljiro Nogari Alley.' As the affordable prices of snacks and beer attracted nearby office workers and college students, it has become increasingly popular, leading to its current status.
Here, along with a cold draft beer, let's try the K-snacks only available in Korea, such as Nogari/Dried Young Pollack and Golbaengi/Sea Snails. In addition, snacks such as chicken and fried dishes are also available, so try various snacks.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

3.5Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

3.5Km    2025-06-25

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

3.5Km    2024-06-19

110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-5640

Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall is a historic site where the March 1, 1919 (Samil) Independence Movement and the pro-democracy movement in June 1987 were held. It is also a well-known place where tens of thousands of Korean soccer fans gathered together to watch the 2002 World Cup Games. Being located within the center of the city and surrounded by many historic attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza has become a representative attraction of Seoul.

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

3.5Km    2025-01-09

41-11, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-7525

Located near Deoksugung Palace, Jungmyeongjeon Hall is a red-brick modern Western-style building. It was built in 1899 as the imperial library of the Korean Empire. After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire in 1904, the place became the temporary residence of Emperor Gojong. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty), an illegal treaty forced by Japan, was signed in 1905. Its exhibition hall serves as a place for historical education.

Bangsan Wholesale Market (방산 종합시장)

Bangsan Wholesale Market (방산 종합시장)

3.5Km    2025-10-23

20, Dongho-ro 37-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2268-6691

Bangsan Market is a wholesale market with approximately 250 stores that sells packaging and promotional materials. The market was popular with patissiers in the past and is currently more famous for being a bakery street.