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

Insa-dong (인사동)

175.9M    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.

Insa-Dong National Souvenir Center (한국관광명품점(인사동))

175.6M    2020-11-07

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-6529

Operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Korea Tourism Association, the National Souvenir Center has strict standards for the brands sold, only allowing those which have won various prizes and passed thorough screening. Shoppers can be assured of high quality and high class products.

High - Anguk Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이엔드코리아 안국)

178.0M    2024-04-17

1F, 62-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Isae (이새)

179.6M    2020-04-24

43-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6713-5592

Targetting middle-aged customers and senior citizens, Isae only uses chemical-free fabrics. Natural fabrics and dyeing characterize clothing in Isae along with functional comfort. Both modern and hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) styles are available.

Isae - Insa Branch (No. 2) [Tax Refund Shop] (이새 인사2호)

180.4M    2024-04-18

30-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Insa Art Plaza (인사아트 프라자)

182.8M    2020-04-23

34-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-9969

Restaurant DAM (레스토랑담)

182.8M    2021-03-30

30-7, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-3624

It is a gallery-like restaurant where you can enjoy paintings by famous artists. This restaurant's signature menu is pork shoulder steak. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Insadong Sagwanamu (인사동사과나무)

185.7M    2021-03-29

24-1, Insadong 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5051

This is where you can dine on the outdoor terrace. This restaurant's signature menu is steak. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Choedaegamne (최대감네)

188.2M    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.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

192.7M    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.