- Sep 1, 2023

Discovering Seoul on Foot : Ikseondong

2023-08-31

※ TriPriend app offers discounts and free vouchers for a variety of Seoul cafes, restaurants, and facilities. To download TriPriend app, please click the banner below.

Jongno is a neighborhood steeped in Korean tradition and history. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo, and Bukchon Hanok Village are all located here, along with buildings from the 60s and 90s. But that's not all we're going to enjoy. In Jongno, we can enjoy street art, street food, shopping, and entertainment.

Jongno can be roughly divided into six neighborhoods. In the north, there are Bukchon and Seochon areas with Hanok villages and old shops centered around Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Hyehwa with Marronnier Park and Naksan Park. To the west is the Gyeonghee Palace and Deoksugung Palace area, famous for its Stonewall alkway, and to the east is Gwangjang Market, where you can find many delicious foods, and Jongno 5 and 6-ga, which are adjacent to Dongdaemun. In the center of Jongno, you'll find Insadong, which is famous for foreigners; Iksun-dong, which is on the rise; and Jonggak Youth Street, which is the center of daily commerce.

In recent years, many 2030 Koreans have recognized Iksun-dong as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Jongno. Many charming shops have opened in the narrow alleys of Iksun-dong, and unique interiors and menus in hanoks have created a sophisticated atmosphere in the neighborhood.

Cheongsudang Bakery is the place that best represents the atmosphere of Iksun-dong. Located inside a traditional hanok, it has a serene atmosphere and a luxurious interior. It feels like you're in a garden in the middle of the city, and its unique flavors combine traditional Korean ingredients with modern flavors. They sell Mont Blanc, Castella, and coffee, but they also use traditional Korean ingredients such as chestnuts and peaches. Needless to say, the taste and flavor are outstanding. It's a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, and we recommend stopping by to relax and unwind after a long day of traveling.

After all that rest and relaxation, it's time to fill up. This place is the opposite of the trendy atmosphere of Iksun-dong. Located in the meat alley at the beginning of Iksun-dong, 'Lee Kyungmun Sundae Gopchang' has a classic interior in a narrow shop. Sundae soup and sundae gopchang hot pot are the main menu items here. The sundae gopchang hot pot with soju is also very good, but I think the essence of this restaurant is the sundae soup. Originally, this place was crowded with office workers before the commercial district of Iksun-dong grew, so to this day, the cost-effectiveness and quantity of the sundae soup on the menu are superior to other restaurants in the area. Travelers looking for a taste of Korea should definitely visit this restaurant.

Curated by walking

Cheongsudang Bakery

information

Address :

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

Tel :

82+)0507-1318-8215

Business Hours :

10:30 - 21:00

Representative Menu :

1. Matcha Mont Blanc

2. Egg Souffle Castella

3. Matcha milk

Lee Kyungmun Sundae Gopchang

information

Address :

5, Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

Tel :

82+)02-765-1532

Business Hours :

11:30 ~ 22:30

closed on sunday

Representative Menu :

1. Spicy Sundae Soup

2. Sundae Gopchang Hot Pot

Seosunra-gil, a more recently popular neighborhood than Iksun-dong, is just one street over from Iksun-dong and down an alley. The neighborhood stretches along the western wall and is relatively calm and tranquil, unlike other parts of Iksun-dong and the surrounding streets. It is recommended to enjoy a delicious meal or hang out at a cafe here, and then take a walk along the walled path or right next to Jongmyo.

Located in the middle of Seosunra-gil, Woorisuljip Daramgee is a traditional Korean bar with a modern interior. They don't have the usual soju and beer; they only have traditional liquors. With over 30 types of traditional liquor and fine fusion Korean cuisine, this is the perfect place for those who love good food, drink, and quiet conversation in good company. It's a must-visit for travelers who want to enjoy unique Korean traditional liquors.

Gallery Sowyen Cafe is located at the end of Seosunra-gil. The cafe is a place where you can enjoy coffee, tea, or wine while admiring the crafts of metalworker Kim Seung-hee. The menu is a modern take on traditional dishes, with original dishes that can only be found here, such as mochi lasagna, wormwood brown rice cake waffles, and blueberry barley brown rice cake. Visitors can also enjoy the unique experience of viewing a wide variety of crafts while enjoying their coffee and food. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and more are available for purchase, and Sowyen Workshop can also be found in Insadong and Apgujeong-dong.