Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

2.7Km 2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes.

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

2.7Km 2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.7Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자 (DDP))

2.7Km 2024-10-24

281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2153-0000

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) has a meaning of Dream, Design, and Play. It holds various exhibitions, fashion shows, forums, conferences, and other domestic and international events. The building complex is divided into sections, which are named Allimteo, Beaumteo, Sallimteo, DDP Design Museum, Design Market & Eoullim Plaza, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the building's exterior attracts the attention of many photographers with its delicate curves and bold shapes.

Donga Stationery (동아완구)

2.7Km 2024-09-11

5 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Donga Stationery is a stationery store located along Changsin-dong Stationery Street. The stop offers a full range of stationery and character goods and is popular among children and adults alike. The shop is located right by Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 4, making it easily accessible.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

2.7Km 2024-04-19

48, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil (해풍부원군윤택영댁재실)

2.7Km 2021-11-10

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil is a shrine house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon dynasty in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored.
Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has the anchae (women’s quarters) located across from sarangbang (men’s quarters) with daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

Baeksasilgyegok Valley (백사실계곡)

2.7Km 2020-08-31

115, Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1114

Baeksasilgyegok Valley in Seoul is a well preserved cultural and natural site, being home to Baekseokdongcheon, Historic Site No. 462, as well as a habitat to diverse animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul.

The valley gets its name from the site of a villa of Yi Hangbok. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

2.7Km 2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Bijindo Haemulttukbaegi (비진도해물뚝배기)

2.7Km 2021-03-30

53, Seosomun-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-312-2867

It is a place that many tourists, as well as office workers, visit. This seafood restaurant is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood hot pot.

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목)) - Area information - Korea travel information