The other Insadong
The lesser-known places to explore in Insadong
Opt for a stay at Insa Hostel if you wish to be in close proximity to the Insadong neighborhood in Seoul. We believe that Insa Hostel is one of the most impeccably maintained and well-managed hostels we've ever encountered - and you simply cannot get any closer to the major attractions in Seoul.
Everything is easily accessible on foot from this location. All five palaces are within walking distance, as are Insadong and its prominent attractions, Bukchon cultural village, The President's official residence, and much more.
This place is a hidden treasure nestled in a sidestreet just off the main Insadong Street! Imagine yourself sitting on the rooftop terrace after a day of sightseeing, sipping a cup of tea before venturing out for a nearby dinner.
Most people are unaware, but Nakwon Arcade houses one of the largest musical instrument shopping areas in all of Seoul, with over 200 specialty shops spread across the 2nd and 3rd floors.
If you desire a pink guitar or a guitar shaped like a toilet seat, this is the perfect place for you. The arcade also offers high-quality instruments and rare finds, making it a must-visit for all music enthusiasts.
In the basement of the arcade, you'll find a delightful array of foods, traditional herbs, and an assortment of quirky items and accessories. On the 4th floor, there's even an arthouse cinema that showcases independent films!
The market is located right near the entrance of South Itaewon Street. You can't miss it - it's a spacious and imposing building.
Adjacent to Anguk Station exit 5, you have the opportunity to partake in Korean cooking classes every hour on the hour from 9am to 5pm daily. Embark on Kimchi World's premium cooking course by signing up here.
The course only lasts an hour but teaches you the art of making kimchi, deokbokki, and provides you with a sample of makgeolli rice wine. The cost is approximately 25,000KRW per person. It's a splendid way to spend an hour.
Kimchi World also operates a shop where you can purchase a variety of healthy Korean foods, including kimchi, sauces, dried seaweed, salted seafood, pickled vegetables, and rice wine - all available at discounted prices. If your purchase exceeds 30,000KRW, they even offer free delivery to Incheon Airport.
The Knife Gallery is a unique knife specialty shop in Korea. If you desire a tailor-made knife of any kind, you can have it crafted here, and you may even observe the entire production process.
The gallery showcases over 6,000 knives from around the globe. It features traditional Korean and Japanese knives, Chinese knives, decorative knives, knives designed by renowned artists, and even knives featured in movies.
They offer an assortment of knives for both practical and aesthetic purposes. It's certainly not the type of gallery one would expect to find in Insadong!
While Insadong offers a plethora of street food options, none compare to the taste of 'Hoddeok' from Sambodang's street cart - which would explain the lengthy queue in front of this establishment.
Hoddeok is a delectable small dough cake made with glutinous rice, filled with black sugar and peanuts. It is perhaps the most popular sweet street food snack in Korea, and Sambodang undeniably offers the best version - priced at a mere 1,000KRW per cake, it is also incredibly affordable!
Sambodang sells 'Hoddeok' from 10:30am to 8:30pm, and they are closed on the first and third Monday of each month.
Sambodang is situated at the junction of the main Insadong street, approximately halfway along the street.
Tobang, located on Insadong's main street, has gained widespread recognition for serving the best stews, known as 'jjigae,' in the area.
A must-try dish here is the kimchi jjigae or the sundubu jjigae. However, the savory Korean pancakes paired with maekkeolli are also highly recommended!
This establishment primarily caters to locals, but foreigners and tourists are beginning to discover this unassuming gem as well.
All prices are around 5,500KRW.
Yukuijeon Museum is a fascinating small museum situated atop an excavation site of an old market. Upon entry, you will be greeted by a massive glass floor that covers the excavation site, offering a captivating view of the market's layout and design.
A few years ago, the building was demolished to make way for a new structure, and during the construction, remains of the old market were discovered.
This museum provides an insightful explanation of how these marketplaces were constructed away from the main road, as the lower class preferred to avoid spending time on the main roads due to class-related customs and social norms.
The main road was predominantly frequented by the upper class, leading to discomfort for the lower class.
The museum is located near Tapgol Park, adjacent to Insadong.
For more information, please visit their Facebook page.
