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

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

787.3M    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.

A Moment in Time - Live Caricature & Gallery (시간을 담다)

A Moment in Time - Live Caricature & Gallery (시간을 담다)

795.6M    2021-03-25

20-1, Samil-daero 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8895-3368

A Moment in Time adds in aspects of Korean traditions, customs, and landmarks like hanbok, Gwanghwamun Gate, and Korean mystical animals into caricature artworks, serving as an excellent souvenir for both locals and travelers. The gallery also offers hands-on programs like coloring caricature and traditional folk art. In addition, original design products from A Moment in Time are also available, making great gifts.

Olive Young - Jongno 1(il)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로1가)

Olive Young - Jongno 1(il)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로1가)

796.0M    2024-04-16

19, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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PAIK's NOODLE Myeongdong (홍콩반점0410(명동점))

796.9M    2024-03-08

13, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-778-0410

Located in Myeongdong Street, PAIK's NOODLE is a Chinese restaurant that serves Korean-style Chinese cuisine. The price is affordable so that both Koreans and foreigners can easily enjoy chinese dishes. The restaurant focus on jjajang myeon (black bean sauce noodles) and jjamppong (Spicy seafood noodle soup). It's a great place to grab a bite to eat when you're hungry while sightseeing in Myeongdong.

8 Seconds - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (에잇세컨즈 명동점)

8 Seconds - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (에잇세컨즈 명동점)

801.4M    2024-04-22

32, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - TIMEWALK Myeongdong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동타임워크점)

804.1M    2024-06-27

#108 and #109, 78, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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YOU&I Clinic Myeongdong (유앤아이의원 명동점)

804.1M    2025-11-24

#F301, 3rd Floor, Timewalk Myeong-dong Building, 78 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

YOU&I Clinic is a trusted dermatology and aesthetic clinic with extensive experience and expertise accumulated since 2006.
At YOU&I Clinic, we are committed to using authentic products, providing precise and honest treatments, and offering personalized services tailored to each individual’s needs.
We welcome clients not only from Korea but also from Japan, China, and Thailand, and offer Japanese and Chinese interpretation services. All foreign clients receive treatments at the same prices as Korean clients.
YOU&I Clinic specializes in lifting, petite procedures, and skin boosters, as well as a wide range of aesthetic skin treatments. We also provide thorough aftercare to ensure the highest level of satisfaction for every client.

Mijin (미진)

Mijin (미진)

806.9M    2024-03-06

19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1954

Mijin is a Korean-style cold buckwheat noodle restaurant located near Gwanghwamun, specializing in Korean-style naeng memilguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). They offer a broth that is richer in flavor compared to Japanese soba bonito soy sauce, along with chewier buckwheat noodles. The restaurant produces the broth and noodles in-house and serves them directly to customers. The cold broth and buckwheat noodles condiments can be adjusted according to preference. Another popular menu is the memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe) filled with bean sprouts, bean curd, aged kimchi, and ground pork.

Nolbu Budaejjigae Myeongdong (놀부부대찌개 명동)

Nolbu Budaejjigae Myeongdong (놀부부대찌개 명동)

808.1M    2024-03-11

16-1, Myeongdong, 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-0110

Situated in Myeongdong, Nolbu Budaejjigae in Myeongdong is exclusively dedicated to budae jjigae (sausage jjigae). Budae jjigae is a typical Korean fusion food consisting of ham, sausage, kimchi, extra instant noodles, tiny rice cakes, glass noodles, and spicy seasonings. They use selected ham and sausage in a bone broth, and fresh noodles that are not fried, giving the dish a light and refreshing flavor. Patrons have the option to spicy stir-fried small intestine and shrimp hot pot. The seasoned spicy stir-fried webfoot octopus or spicy stir-fried chicken cooked on an iron plate is also a must-try.

Jinsadaek (진사댁)

Jinsadaek (진사댁)

814.9M    2024-03-15

30-1 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-9605

Jinsadaek is a traditional Korean restaurant located near Myeongdong Cathedral. It specializes in serving high-end Korean table d'hote prepared with ingredients such as beef, abalone, fish, soybean paste, blue crabs, and japchae. Additionally, they offer specialties like bori gulbi jeongsik (barley-aged dried yellow croaker set menu), ganjang gejang jeongsik (soy sauce marinated crab set menu).