Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목) - Area information - Korea travel information

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

5.4Km    2024-03-04

37-7, Jongno 5(o)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located near the Dongdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley gets its name from the restaurants serving dak hanmari (whole chicken soup) that line the alley. Dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), literally “one whole chicken” in Korean, is a dish where a whole chicken is boiled in a soup and served with the alley’s special sauce. After the diners eat the meat, the broth is used to make kalguksu (noodle soup). Because the area is home to large-scale apparel and fashion material markets of the Dongdaemun Market, the district is always lively and bustling.

Hyosajeong Pavilion (효사정)

Hyosajeong Pavilion (효사정)

5.4Km    2025-01-13

55, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

Hyosajeong Pavilion is where Nohan, the second vice premier of the Joseon dynasty during King Sejong and King Sejo’s reign, stayed. After he lost his mother, he built the pavilion to mourn at her grave while still being able to see his father’s grave in Gaeseong to the North. His brother-in-law, then Minister of the Interior, Gang Sa-deok named the pavilion “Hyosajeong,” which means pavilion of filial piety.

In order to find the original location of the pavilion, poems by Jeong Inji and Seo Geojeong and an old map of Korea were referenced, but the pavilion was not found because the surrounding landscape had changed too much. As a result, a location was selected and the pavilion was reconstructed at its current location. The house is 3 kan* in the front and 2 kan* on the side. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof. The pavilion has one room with under floor heating and a railing around the pavilion

(* kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)

Leaders Dermatology Clinic Myeongdong (리더스피부과의원 명동점)

5.4Km    2025-10-23

B1 Floor, 72 Toegye-ro (Hoehyeon-dong 1-ga, SK Leaders' View Namsan), Jung-gu, Seoul

Founded in 2001 by board-certified dermatologists from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Leaders Dermatology has grown into a trusted network of over 12 clinics across Korea and internationally, with a team of more than 20 dermatologists and 150 medical professionals.
Our doctors are actively involved in global academic circles delivering lectures at renowned conferences and seminars and are dedicated to raising the bar for dermatological care. With a systematic, patient-centered approach, our mission is to become the No.1 dermatology clinic in customer satisfaction through excellence in service and results.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

5.5Km    2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

5.5Km    2025-10-23

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed essential government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453, and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.

The gate features a hipped roof with five front and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle-shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.

One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period.

Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

5.5Km    2025-08-11

24-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Etude House is a cosmetics brand that sells makeup, hair, and fragrance products. The Etude House Myeongdong Chungmuro Branch, located in the heart of a major shopping district, carries a wide selection of cosmetics that customers may test before purchasing. Moreover, the brightly lit store interior, designed with a princess bedroom decor, adds fun to the experience.

It is visited largely by foreign customers from Japan, Thailand, China and other East Asian countries. To facilitate an easy shopping experience, the shop always has foreign staff available to assist. The most popular items include creams made using snail extract, lipsticks and eye shadows. Etude House also has many sales on facial mask packs, and tax refunds are available.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

5.5Km    2025-11-06

Eulji-ro 129, Jung-gu, Seoul

Going out of Exit 3 of Euljiro 3-ga Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 and turning to the alley, you will find many pubs selling Nogari/Dried Young Pollack (Korean people grill and dip it in red pepper paste to eat as a side dish with alcohol) and restaurants specializing in Golbaengi/Sea Snails (It is a kind of conch shell, and Korea people made it a seasoned dish and enjoy it with Somyeon/Thin Noodles or use it as a bar sack). People gather in small groups at every outdoor table and sit in every alley to enjoy beer and snacks on weekday evenings and weekends, so it isn't easy to find a seat.
Originally, this area was lined with various company buildings and shops selling tools. However, in 1980, the pub 'Eulji OB Bear' opened, and as similar pubs opened nearby, it naturally came to be called 'Euljiro Nogari Alley.' As the affordable prices of snacks and beer attracted nearby office workers and college students, it has become increasingly popular, leading to its current status.
Here, along with a cold draft beer, let's try the K-snacks only available in Korea, such as Nogari/Dried Young Pollack and Golbaengi/Sea Snails. In addition, snacks such as chicken and fried dishes are also available, so try various snacks.

Cheonggyecheon Museum (청계천박물관)

Cheonggyecheon Museum (청계천박물관)

5.5Km    2021-11-02

530, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Cheonggyecheon Museum officially opened in October 2005. The museum’s long, glass exterior represents the flowing waters of Cheonggyecheon Stream, which runs through the heart of Seoul. The museum has a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, educational hall, and an auditorium. The museum contains visual representations of Seoul before and after the transition of Cheonggyecheon Stream. The permanent exhibition hall was remodeled in October 2015, and now offers even more ways to view the history of Seoul as shaped by Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Myeongdong Jjukkumi (명동쭈꾸미)

Myeongdong Jjukkumi (명동쭈꾸미)

5.5Km    2025-07-23

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeondong Jjukkumi is a jjukkumi (ocellerated octopus) restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It only takes about a 1-minute walk from Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 2, a convenient location for both tourists and people who work in the area. Main menu items consist of jjukkumi and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), pork galbi (rib meat), bossam (cabbage wraps with pork), among other set menus. All dishes are cooked in the kitchen, and are known for their spicy kick and savory taste. The restaurant can accommodate group guests as it has a spacious hall as well as outdoor tables. Customers dining at the restaurant can help themselves to more side dishes at the self-service side dish bar and enjoy a hearty meal at a reasonable price. 

Bokidang (복이당)

Bokidang (복이당)

5.5Km    2025-09-15

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Bokidang is a handmade salt buns specialty bakery cafe located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It is conveniently located just a 30-second walk from Exit 2 of Hoehyeon Station, situated in an area with high foot traffic from office workers and tourists. Bokidang presents handmade salt bread and beverages made with carefully selected fresh ingredients, with the hope that "everyone who eats will be blessed." The signature menu features a lineup of salt breads inspired by the 12 zodiac animal characters, each embodying health, wishes, and small happiness in a single bite. The store has a clean and warm atmosphere with an indoor seating area and outdoor seating, accommodating group guests and offering takeout for added convenience.