Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

571.2856327745565m 110756 2023-01-17

196, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-7319

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

KERVAN RESTAURANT (케르반레스토랑)

599.2780511609697m 9595 2021-04-13

190, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kervan is a restaurant specializing in Turkish cuisine, which is widely enjoyed around the world. The kitchen is run by a skilled native chef, and has ovens manufactured with Turkish technology. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with traditional Turkish tiles, giving restaurant patrons the opportunity to sample authentic cuisine and decorative elements of Turkish culture together. The restaurant has also obtained the official Halal Certificate recognition.

Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

599.2780511609697m 6656 2024-03-15

192, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kervan is a Turkish restaurant located in Itaewon, offering authentic kebab, pidé, and Turkish desserts. It faithfully recreates the Turkish culture and food through its interior, decorated with traditional tiles, and dishes prepared by a chef from Turkey. Main menus include Chicken steak, Rich pidé, and Chicken shish kebab.

Dubai (두바이레스토랑)

606.4806786888654m 8740 2017-07-18

192, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
82-2-798-9277

Dubai Restaurant in Itaewon offers authentic Arabian cuisine as well as shisha (water pipe smoking). Located in the middle of Itaewon, it’s popular among both Koreans and foreigners.

THE HALAL GUYS - Itaewon Branch (할랄가이즈 이태원)

622.9439387164422m 86 2021-03-30

187, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-8308

As a place that sells American Halal foods, it is recognized even in Itaewon, where there are many foreigners. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sandwich.

Taj Palace (타지펠리스)

649.055082609147m 17109 2017-10-28

39, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-790-5786, +82-2-777-5786

Named after the Taj Mahal, Taj Palace serves authentic Indian dishes prepared by an Indian chef. The restaurant owner hired the Indian chef in hopes of introducing real Indian food to Korean people. Some of the most popular dishes in the restaurant include tandoori (barbecue) dishes, Indian fried rice called "briyani," toasted bread, Indian beverages, and the “set meal."

Olive Young - Suncheonhyang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 순천향입구)

657.8697117213981m 0 2024-04-16

71, Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Tanello Jewellery - Namsan Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (타넬로 남산점)

658.9007159102163m 0 2024-04-16

69, Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Usmania (우스마니아)

671.0956362456617m 8911 2017-10-10

34, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-7155

Usmania is a Pakistani restaurant located in Itaewon. The restaurant imports all its ingredients from Pakistan (except for its meats and vegetables) in order to make the dishes as authentic as possible. Dishes are cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven used in just about every household in Pakistan.

Olive Young - Itaewon Jungang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 이태원중앙)

695.7357089984646m 0 2024-04-22

180, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information