Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

1.1Km 2024-11-27

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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.

Helinox Creative Center [Tax Refund Shop] (헬리녹스 크리에이티브센터)

1.1Km 2024-04-18

39, Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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KERVAN RESTAURANT (케르반레스토랑)

1.1Km 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)

1.1Km 2025-03-15

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 Türkiye. Main menus include Chicken steak, Rich pidé, and Chicken shish kebab.

Dubai (두바이레스토랑)

1.1Km 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)

1.1Km 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.

Yejiwon (예지원)

1.1Km 2022-09-19

72, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2253-2211

The Yejiwon is located in Seoul Jung-gu Jangchung-dong and has been offering traditional Korean etiquette education programs since its inception on September 16th, 1974. Furthermore, the Yejiwon also serves to introduce the traditional cultures and living cultures of Korean etiquettes to foreigners.

Most programs offered are short-term classes, and reservations can be made on the homepage up to 15 days in advance. Reservations are only available for groups of 10 or more and classes are instructed in Korean only, so it may be a good idea to be accompanied by a guide.

Taj Palace (타지펠리스)

1.1Km 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."

Lush Korea - Itaewon Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (㈜러쉬코리아 이태원역점)

1.2Km 2024-04-19

179, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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