Insa Dong 인사동 is one of my favorite places in Seoul, and I always stop by at least once when I'm in Korea, so I've been there over ten times (most recently in 2023.) Scroll down for what to expect, what not to do, and how to get the most out of your time there!
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A short walk from Myeong Dong and located in the heart of Seoul, Insadong Street is one of my favorite places to spend a day in Seoul- wandering its little alleys is a great free activity in Seoul.
You'll find traditional tea houses, art galleries, and some kitschy Korean souvenir shops side-by-side. It's also one of the best places to pick up unique hand crafted Korean souvenirs.
I've been there MANY times- I usually visit at least once when I'm in Seoul, and I've been to Seoul almost 10 times!
Note that although Insa Dong is associated with traditional korean culture, it is a VERY touristy place (though you do see locals too)- the Main Street is quite a turn off, as it's full of (somewhat tacky) tourist shops selling mass-made Korean souvenirs (and the odd art gallery or 2.) (Insa-dong consists of one wide Main Street with many small alleys branching off from it- the alleys are where you find the gems.
At one end of the Main Street, Insadong-gil, you can see the mountains.
However, give the area the benefit of the doubt: persevere and wander down the smaller alleys and side streets, and that's where you'll discover the charm of Insadong, with many hidden gems such as traditional Korean architecture, tea houses, numerous art galleries (approximately 100!) , and more.
If you enjoy arts, crafts, and culture, Insadong is a great place for you: 40% of Korea's antique shops and 90% of its traditional stationary shops are located here.
You can also take part in unique craft classes, such as carving your own name-stamp, and buy one-of-a-kind craft creations here.
History and Background
The area dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. Government officials lived in Insadong as far back as 500 years ago.
However, after the Japanese invaded Korea, the residents had no choice but to move, and Insadong became an antiques marketplace. Since then, it's become Seoul's art and culture centre.
Location/ How to Get There
Address: 62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul~ 서울특별시 종로구 인사동길 62 (관훈동) 일대
Closest subway: Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 6)
If you enjoy walking, you can actually walk over from Myeong Dong. Along the way, you'll pass Cheonggyecheon Stream, a lovely way to explore Seoul (especially in summer, as the weather is cooler.)
Insa-dong is close to 2 hanok villages, Bukchon Hanok Village and Ikseon-Dong, so you can combine all 3 or 4 places into a day, to minimise travelling time.
Things to Do
Traditional Korean Tea Houses
Something I always do in Insa-dong is stop for some Korean traditional tea. (My favorite is Ume-cha, or Plum tea- click through to learn how to make it at home.) If you want to go all-in, enjoy it the traditional way by sitting on the floor! (You'll have to take off your shoes.)
For those less flexible, they have regular tables and chairs too, don't worry.
A popular option is Shin Old Tea House but don't bother queuing- the other places are just as good.
Ssamzigil
Ssamzigil, also known as ssamziegil shopping complex, is an open-air mall in Insa-dong. A shopping mall sounds boring and bland, but this one is really cool!
It has a lot of unique shops selling handmade goods, some of which allow you to make your own items (for a fee, of course), such as a small musical box.
You can find everything from iron-on patches, manga/ mangwa (Asian "cartoon")-type postcards, and handcrafted jewelry here.
There are 4 floors and a basement, with about 70 shops and restaurants.
Museum Kimchikan
Museum Kimchikan is a sanctuary dedicated to kimchi, Korea's beloved fermented side dish. Here, you'll get to learn about its various types, fermentation techniques, and historical significance.
There's a KBS documentary all about this fermented dish, and you can even taste some!
Admire Art
Most of the galleries are free to enter. Some even give out free postcards, which make great mementos of your time here. The most famous galleries are:
- Hakgojae Gallery (folk art)
- Gana Art Gallery (upcoming artists)
Others
If you're looking for something unique, try the Knife Gallery (나이프갤러리), which is free to visit. Located at 7, Insadong 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, it has a collection of over 6000 blades from all around the world (and is not just a showroom of kitchen tools.) The gallery is a shrine to handmade craftsmanship in today's machine dominated You'll find Japanese blades, Korean knives, Chinese knives, and even knives used in movies here! (You can even watch the process if you order your own custom-made knife.)
If you are traveling with kids, you may enjoy the Alive Museum, a funhouse for artistic families. The museum's interactive exhibits play with optical illusions and digital art, inviting you to become part of the artwork itself. Imagine striking a pose with a giant 3D painting or finding yourself in a whimsical, topsy-turvy room - it's all possible here.
Tips for Visitors
- Insadong is completely pedestrianized on certain days. This makes it easier to walk around, and there'll be street vendors everywhere, but if you've hired a car and driver for the day, may make it more difficult to coordinate the pick-up. (Korean streets can be confusing.)
- Saturday 2 pm to 10 pm
- Sunday 10 am to 10 pm
- Note that it gets very busy on the weekends: in 2000, 100,000 people visited on Sunday alone.
I managed to push my Aunt's wheelchair down the main street but it does take some maneuvering.
Dining Options
Why not try the street food or one of the hanok restaurants?
I won't say I had the best food in Korea in Insa-dong, but it was fun dining in these traditional wooden tea houses, and you'll get to try some famous Korean dishes. (Helps that the local restaurants here accept solo diners too. If you can't take spice, here's a list of Korean foods with no chili for you.)
AVOID the vegetarian temple food at Sanchon. We ate there in 2023 and the experience was AWFUL. The meal took over 4 hours, with most of the time just waiting for the food, which was cold, and tasteless. It took so long, the table in front of us left before even getting the food and we left without our dessert (you're charged for a set)- no apology given by the staff at all who acted like it was our honour to wait several hours for bad food. (The Korean diners next to us felt embarrassed for them!)
Nearby Attractions
Jogyesa Temple
Just a stone's throw away from the bustling Insadong streets is Jogyesa Temple (조계사), a peaceful sanctuary amid the city's hustle. A temple was first established here in the 14th century, then burnt down, before being rebuilt as Gakwangsa Temple in 1910, then renamed in 1936, when it was named the head temple for Korean Buddhism.)
It's free to visit, and a peaceful oasis in the midst of Seoul's hustle and bustle. There are lots of beautiful sculptures to admire, as well as beautiful garden, but note that tourists can't enter when a Buddhist practice is being held.
Tip: one of the best times to visit is Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회.)
The temple has thoughtfully provided some chairs for tourists- very handy for senior citizens!
Bukchon Village
Not far from there is the trendy yet traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, with its stone-paved alleys and traditional Korean houses, hanbok, you'll be transported back in time. (Not that this is a residential area, so please wander around the historic buildings quietly and respectfully!)
Tip: Bukchon is the most residential of the 3 (Insa-dong, Ikseon-dong, and Bukchon-dong.)
Ikseon-dong
If you're looking for TikTok famous, gorgeous cafes, and don't mind narrow alleys filled with people, head to Ikseon-dong instead. Click through for a full review of the area, along with tips on what to do to get the most out of your visit.
Who Would Enjoy Visiting
If you like watching street performers, arts, handicraft shops, and learning about Korean history and culture, you'll have fun in Insadong.
If your main purpose is buying Korean skincare or getting a facial in Seoul, this is not the place for you. There's only one Korean beauty shop in the main area (Nature Republic.) Head to nearby Myeongdong instead.
Any questions about how to spend a day at Insa-Dong? Let me know in the comments, or share what is your favorite memory of the place!
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