Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

167.8M 2024-10-25

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.

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

172.3M 2025-06-19

4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

187.9M 2025-06-18

38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-6526

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving its hearty seolleongtang for over a hundred years since it first opened in 1907. Even its name has a long history: the word imun comes from Imun-gol, the now-obsolete name of the restaurant’s location, and seolnongtang, an old variation of the word seolleongtang. During the Japanese colonial rule, the restaurant’s regular customers included Gijeong Son, the marathon gold-medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The meal served at this restaurante is reputed to stay consistent from the Japanese colonial period.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

191.7M 2024-03-04

11-4, Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-4448

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located in Insa-dong. It has six exhibition rooms, an atelier, an outdoor exhibition area, and a traditional tea house. It hosts outdoor concerts in spring and fall, and Q&A sessions with authors can also be found as well. The traditional tea house offers about 15 types of traditional Korean tea in a space that overlooks the garden.

Jeontong Dawon (전통다원)

191.7M 2024-03-18

11-4 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-6305

Jeontong Dawon is a hanok-style tea house located in Insa-dong. It offers seating both inside the hanok and in the outdoor garden, allowing guests to choose their preferred spot. Visitors can enjoy various types of traditional Korean tea along with traditional Korean snacks such as yugwa (fried rice sweet). It is situated within the Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art premises, offering the opportunity to explore the museum as well.

Yetchatjip (옛찻집)

196.9M 2024-03-18

33-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5332

Yetchatjip in Insa-dong offers a variety of teas including ssanghwacha (medicinal herb tea), jujube tea, lotus leaf tea, ginger tea, and citrus tea. Their signature dish during the summer is the yennal patbingsu (old-fashioned shaved ice with red beans), topped with sweet red bean and sweet rice cakes, served on finely shaved ice. Additionally, they offer traditional Korean snacks such as grilled rice cake stick, yakgwa (honey cookie), and traditional Korean sweets to accompany the tea.

Insa-dong Chatjip (인사동찻집)

196.9M 2024-03-15

33-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-4909

Insa-dong Chatjib is a traditional hanok tea house located in Insa-dong. Here, you can enjoy a variety of traditional teas brewed in-house. One of their signature menu items is the hobak sikhye (pumpkin sweet rice punch). They also offer other options such as jujube tea, ginger tea, and more. Many people visit to enjoy a leisurely time sipping tea in the serene atmosphere of the hanok. Nearby attractions include Ssamzigil and the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, making it a great place to explore together.

Harmony Mart - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하모니마트 인사)

213.3M 2024-04-17

1F (Gwanhun-dong), 38, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Choedaegamne (최대감네)

231.9M 2024-03-18

12-3 Insadong 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-9355

Choedaegamne is a traditional Korean restaurant located in a hanok in Insa-dong, with a garden and a pond, and has been in operation for over 100 years. One of their popular dishes is the sangchu shabu jeongsik (shabu with rice in a cabbage set menu), where vegetables and meat are cooked in a broth and then enjoyed with noodles, served with a small rice ball on lettuce. They also offer a so galbijjim jeongsik (steamed beef ribs set menu) and bulgogi jeongsik (bulgogi set menu), served with lotus leaf rice and soybean paste jjigae. After the meal, guests can enjoy tea in the garden.

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

236.8M 2025-03-16

29 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2235

As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks, porcelains, woodcrafts, and metalwork. Visitors may even find rare and valuable products such as earthenware from the Silla period or white porcelain used in the Joseon dynasty. Each shop is a specialty store, authorized to sell product types that are of their expertise, ranging from antique furniture and traditional artworks to handcrafted items.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울)) - Area information - Korea travel information