Insa-dong (인사동)

207.1M 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.

Yangbandeck (양반댁)

211.0M 2024-03-18

19-18 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-5507, +82-2-730-1112

Yangbandeck is a traditional Korean house in Insa-dong, serving ganjang gejang (soy sauce marinated crab) and bori gulbi (barley-aged dried yellow croaker). Theganjang gejang is made from crabs filled with roe, matured in soy sauce. The taste of barley-aged dried yellow croaker, made from dried yellow croaker matured in sea breeze and served on top of rice, is exceptional. Each meal comes with a hot pot rice, and side dishes such as soybean paste jjigae, pancakes, kimchi, and japchae are served as standard.

Korea Grand Sale (코리아그랜드세일)

210.7M 2024-12-16

29 Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7787-4242

Korea Grand Sale is an integrated festival that promotes culture, tourism and shopping to international visitors. While the Korea Grand Sale online platform provides various content and promotions throughout the year, it offers the biggest discounts and programs through offline events in January and February.

Arirang Master Crafts Shop (아리랑명품관)

223.0M 2021-12-01

17-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-5700

Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with traditional Korean crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of traditional Korean paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.

Sieunjae (시은재)

225.8M 2024-12-23

439 , Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5355-3029

Sieunjae is a hanok stay that has stood in the midst of busy Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for generations. The guestrooms comprise an anbang (bedroom plus living room), three smaller rooms, and a byeolchae or detached house. All rooms have a toilet, and there’s a well-equipped shared kitchen and a washing machine. Guests can either rent individual rooms or the whole hanok. Jongno is convenient for travel to all the historic sites of Seoul, and there’s a public carpark nearby.

Haemong (해몽)

240.0M 2021-03-19

15-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4229

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly. A Korean BBQ restaurant.

Daeseong Hanjeongsik (대성한정식)

246.6M 2021-03-30

10, Insadong 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-4407

It is a hidden famous restaurant in Insa-dong. The best menu at this restaurant is soy sauce marinated crab set menu. This Korean table d'hote restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Ijo (이조)

249.1M 2021-03-26

8, Insadong 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-7610

Galbijjim (braised short ribs) is a traditional Korean menu of ribs seasoned with soy sauce. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is braised short ribs.

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

254.5M 2025-07-14

33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

260.9M 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.

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