Check out the recommended cafes and tourist spots in Ikseon-dong, Seoul in 2024! Restaurants, bakeries, and costume shops

Hello. Today, I would like to introduce some recommended tourist spots in Ikseon-dong, Seoul. Ikseon-dong is located around Jongno samga Station in Seoul. It is also close to Insadong and Gyeongbokgung, which are popular tourist spots in Seoul, and is one of the must-visit spots because you can experience the traditional Korean atmosphere.

In this article, we will introduce popular cafes and restaurants in Ikseon-dong, as well as one-day classes and photo spots!

table of contents

1. What is Ikseon-dong famous for?
2. Recommended restaurants 3. Recommended cafes 4. One-day experience classes and photo spots

1. What is Ikseon-dong famous for?

Ikseon- dong was originally an old town where old houses were gathered. About 10 years ago, cafes, restaurants and other shops started to open in the old buildings of this town, and it has now become a popular spot. There are many restaurants and cafes that have been renovated into modern Korean traditional houses called hanok, so it is a town where you can enjoy not only various gourmet foods but also many spots that you will want to take photos of while enjoying Korea, making it a fun town just to walk around. More than 90% of the buildings are renovated hanok, and there are many things to see and enjoy, such as cafes, restaurants and experience spots.

It is a popular spot that is often featured as a filming location for Korean TV shows and dramas, so it is loved by both foreign tourists and locals. The narrow alleys make it difficult for many people to move around at once, but the narrowness of the alleys makes it possible to feel the beauty of the alleys and the grandeur of the Hanok houses, which is why it is so popular.

2. Recommended restaurants

Now, let us introduce some delicious restaurants you can enjoy in Ikseondong.

(1) Songam Onbang

Seongam Eonbang is a Korean restaurant serving pork bossam, yukhoe, noodles and chijimi, set in a gorgeous hanok house.

31-3, Donghwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

(2) Ojukuine

25 Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Another popular spot is Ojukuinae, a spicy chicken hotpot restaurant that has been supported by locals for many years. The main dish is Dadori -tang , a dish made with chicken and various vegetables cooked in a gochujang-based sauce. While regular Dadori-tang is not very soupy, Ojukuinae is soupier, giving this restaurant a special flavor. The signature dish is Dakgaeuntang (choose from small, medium, or large), which is quite spicy, so be careful! This restaurant has been known for its spicy chicken hotpot since before Ikseon-dong became famous, and is a long-established Korean restaurant that has been operating in the same place for many years, so it's definitely worth a visit.

(3) Changhwadang

23 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Do you like gyoza? Gyoza is a popular menu item in Korea, but the taste and shape are a little different from those in Japan. In Korea, gyoza is called 만두 (mandu). 창화당 (Changhwadang) is a restaurant that serves delicious mandu. The interior is unique and you can feel the traditions of Korea, so be sure to check it out!

(4) Dareni

We also recommend Darengui, which sells Nakgopsae (octopus, innards, and shrimp), a Korean dish that has recently become popular in Japan.

16, Donghwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

This restaurant has been popular with locals for many years and serves authentic Nakgobsae. In addition to Nakgobsae, the Bulgogi (bulgogi, innards, shrimp) menu is also popular, so please give it a try!

(5) A 15.5m2 udon restaurant

123-2 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Next, I'd like to introduce a restaurant that serves delicious udon noodles. Udon noodles in Korea?! You may be wondering, but there are many spicy foods in Korea, and people often want to have something that is easy on the stomach. Also, the seasoning is a little different from Japan, so it's fun to taste the difference. This 15.5 square meter udon restaurant is reasonably priced and popular with Japanese and Chinese tourists, so be sure to check it out.

3. Recommended cafes

Cafe hopping is one of the must-dos when traveling to Korea, and Ikseon-dong is home to many stylish cafes.

(1) Hanokransom

21-6, Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Hanokransom is a place where you can enjoy delicious cakes and coffee in a traditional Korean house. Enjoying cakes in a beautiful courtyard is an experience you can only have in Ikseon-dong.

(2) Shimizudo Bakery

31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

"Shimizudo Bakery" is a bakery where you can enjoy traditional Korean tea and desserts, and is a recommended spot for travelers who want to experience Korea to the fullest. Enjoy traditional tea and sweets in a traditional Korean house!

(3) Sohayeomjeon (Seohayeomjeon)

21-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

"Obama Salt Field" is a bakery famous for its salt bread. It is a Korean house with a garden that looks like a salt field, and is a great photo spot. Why not try Korean salt bread, which is different from the ones in Japan?

(4) Seoul Coffee

166-31 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Seoul Coffee is also recommended, famous for its bean paste butter bread. The dessert, which is made by putting a whole piece of butter into soft bread, is not only delicious but also fun to look at. You can also enjoy pumpkin flavored sikhye, a traditional Korean drink.

4. One-day experience classes and photo spots

After eating delicious food, it's time to get moving! We will also introduce places in Ikseondong where you can have a variety of experiences.

In Korea, one-day classes with experts are popular, and there are many types, from painting to ring making to cutting board making. The one I would like to recommend this time is a one-day class to make perfume.

(1) Ikseonkonbang

25 Samil-daero 26-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

At Ikseong Workshop, you can make various aroma products such as perfume, aroma candles, and diffusers. It is popular because you can try out various scents and make a product that suits you. You can make your own product under the supervision of an expert by following the instructions written in English, so even those who are not confident in Korean can rest assured.

(2) Kitamura Tansei Class

4 Changdeokgung 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

It's located in Bukchon, a little ways from Ikseondong, but if you're looking for a more authentic Korean experience, we recommend the "Dancheong" class.

Dancheong is a decorative painting that is painted on the gables of temples and palaces. In the Bukchon Dancheong class, you can experience painting this gorgeous yet calm beauty of Dancheong yourself. Since you will be taught directly by a cultural arts craftsman, even those who are not good at painting can easily participate. It is also recommended as a souvenir of your visit to Korea. It is also recommended to experience it with friends and family.

(3) Photo Gallery

20 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

After your fun class, you can take home some precious memories from your time in Ikseon-dong. To do so, we recommend the Selfie Photo Studio in Ikseon-dong. Many Koreans love taking photos, and there are many photo studios throughout the city. We especially recommend the Memory Photo Studio, where you can take black-and-white photos reminiscent of old film photography.

(4) Masayoshi Costume Room

At the Ikseon Costume Room, you can try on clothes that were popular during Korea's early 1900s enlightened era. Why not try on a dress that you wouldn't normally have a chance to wear and have your photo taken?

Today, we have introduced you to the must-visit spots in Ikseon-dong. We have also introduced you to many places with delicious cafes and beautiful hanok streets, as well as various experience-oriented spots, so we hope you have a great time.

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