Insadong, Seoul: Shopping, Tea Houses and Street Food
What to do in Insadong: traditional crafts and souvenirs, Ssamziegil, tea houses, Korean pancakes and street snacks, plus how to combine it with the palaces and Bukchon.
Insadong was the first place we explored in Seoul, on our very first day in the city. It is Seoul's old street of art and antiques: a main road lined with shops selling calligraphy brushes, hanji paper, ceramics and fans, with tiny alleys hiding tea houses and traditional restaurants behind it.
It is touristy, yes, but it is also one of the best places in Seoul to buy souvenirs that are actually Korean, to sit down for a traditional tea and to try street snacks.
Quick answer: Insadong-gil is a 5-minute walk from Anguk Station (Line 3, exit 6) or Jonggak Station. Visit the Ssamziegil spiral shopping complex, browse the craft and paper shops, have tea in a hanok tea house in the side alleys and try street snacks like ice cream in a spiral cookie cone. On weekends the main street is car-free. Combine it with Bukchon and the palaces next door.
What to do in Insadong
Shop for real Korean souvenirs
The main street, Insadong-gil, is the place for traditional crafts: hanji (mulberry paper) notebooks and lamps, calligraphy brushes and ink stones, celadon ceramics, hand-painted fans, mother-of-pearl boxes and wooden masks. Look for shops that say Made in Korea; cheaper imported goods are mixed in.
Ssamziegil
A spiral-shaped shopping complex where a gently sloping walkway leads up four floors past small design shops, craft stalls and cafés. It is a great place to find modern Korean design, and you will see people taking photos at its entrance all day.
Tea houses in the side alleys
Turn off the main street into the narrow alleys to find traditional tea houses, many in old hanok buildings with low tables and courtyards. Try omija-cha (five-flavour berry tea), yuja-cha (citron tea) or daechu-cha (jujube tea), served with traditional sweets.
Galleries
Insadong has dozens of small galleries showing contemporary Korean art, ceramics and calligraphy, many free to enter.
What to eat in Insadong
- Haemul pajeon: a crispy savoury pancake with spring onions and seafood. We had ours in a beautiful traditional restaurant, with so many complimentary side dishes (banchan) that we were full before the pancake arrived.
- Ice cream in a spiral cookie cone: the snack everyone was eating when we visited.
- Hotteok: sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts, perfect in winter.
- Kkultarae ("dragon's beard candy"): thin threads of honey and malt wrapped around nuts, made in front of you.
- Korean royal cuisine and temple food in the more upmarket restaurants.
Getting there
- Anguk Station (Line 3, exit 6) is at the northern end of Insadong-gil.
- Jonggak Station (Line 1) and Jongno 3-ga are at the southern end.
Insadong is right next to Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung, so it is easy to combine them in one day.
Tips
- Weekends are busiest but most atmospheric, with street performers and a car-free main street.
- Shops open around 10 am and close around 8–9 pm.
- Ask for tax-free at bigger shops if you spend more than ₩15,000: see our guide to the Korea tax refund.
- Get a T-money card at any convenience store for the subway and buses.
About the authors
Dasza — Writer and photographer behind PTraveler. Polish-born, raised in Germany, happiest renting a flat in a new city for a month.
Tomek — Project manager, fixer and tour leader. Plans the routes, finds the free days and tests every street-food stall.
