Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

5.3Km 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.

Palsaek Samgyeopsal(팔색삼겹살)

5.3Km 2020-11-26

18 Baekbeom-ro Mapo-gu Seoul
+82-2-719-4848

This is a place where you can eat grilled pork belly with 8 special sauces. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled pork belly.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

5.3Km 2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

GS25 - Nogosan Main Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (GS25노고산본점)

5.3Km 2024-06-26

8 Sinchon-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Jonny Dumpling (쟈니덤플링)

5.3Km 2021-03-29

5, Bogwang-ro 59-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-790-8830

It is a restaurant famous for its half-moon-shaped grilled dumplings. The best menu at this restaurant is pan-fried dumpling. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

CheongKwanJang - Sinchon Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 신촌역)

5.3Km 2024-04-22

78, Sinchon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Daeheung Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 대흥역)

5.3Km 2024-04-16

91, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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BUA (부아)

5.3Km 2021-03-19

9, Bogwang-ro 59-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-792-3340

A restaurant frequently featured in programs on Korean delicious dishes. Bua, meaning a lotus in Thai, features authentic Thai cuisine. The best menu at this restaurant is som tam. This is a Asian restaurant located in Itaewon, Seoul.

CU - Mapo IVY Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (cu마포아이비점)

5.3Km 2024-06-27

1F, #B101, 136, Seogang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul,

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Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine (당고개순교성지)

5.3Km 2020-03-18

139-26, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-711-0933

Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine is located on the small hill just five minutes away from Yongsan Eletronics Market. 10 Catholics were martyred on this hill during the Gihae Persecution in 1839 including Choi Gyeong-hwan (Francis)'s wife Lee Seong-rye (Maria).

Nine of the 10 martyrs are now recognized as saints. Lee Seong-rye, the mother of Father Thomas Choi Yang-eop (Korea's second ordained priest), has not yet been canonized although she did suffer martyrdom. The reason was that the mother briefly put aside her faith because of the pressures of raising five children after she had her oldest son, Thomas. However, the difficulty of combining these two interests was eventually overcome and she died a martyr.

Aside from serving as a memorial site, Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine also offers a commanding view of Seoul. Nearby tourist attractions include Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs, which is a Catholic church with Korean architecture, and Yongsan Family Park.

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