What To Do In Seochon Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

There are some fantastic things to see in downtown Seoul near Gyeongbokgung Palace and most tourists to Seoul miss some great ones entirely. Generally tourists visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, head east from the biggest palace in Seoul and visit Bukchon Hanok Village. This is totally understandable, but Seochon (서촌), the neighborhood to the west of main palace in Seoul is cool too and a bit more popular with the locals.

Let’s check out some of the best things to see west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seochon, or Tongin-dong.

What to do and eat in the Seochon Village:

• Where To Stay
• What To See
  • Daelim Museum (대림미술관)
  • Daeo Bookstore (대오서점)
  • Ground Seesaw Seochon (그라운드시소)
  • Cheongwadae Sarangchae (청와대사랑채)
  • Boan Inn (보안여관)
• What To Eat
  • Tongin Market (통인시장)
  • Hyoja Bakery (효자베이커리)
  • Sejong Village Food Street (세종마을음식문화거리)
  • Bar Cham (참)

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What To Know About Seochon

Seochon means ‘west village’ which makes sense considering the location just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Similar to Bukchon Hanok Village, you can also find numerous Hanok houses, or traditional Korean homes/buildings because this is one of Seoul’s oldest neighborhoods.

Seochon is made up of numerous mini neighborhoods, or districts, including Hyoja-dong, Sajik, dong, Tongin-dong, and Pirun-dong though when most people are talking about the area, they’re talking about the areas immediately west of the main palace of Seoul. It is here you’ll find numerous cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, book stores, and galleries.

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Where To Stay

If you want to stay in something a bit traditional and absolutely stunning, check out the Ihwa Hanok Stay. This is an entire Hanok House that is available for rental and features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and all of the amenities you’d want yet still in a traditional home. This spot is suitable for 12 guests and is really so well suited for any traveler that might not be quite sure about sleeping on the floor of a Hanok just yet, but wants to have the experience.

Book a stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

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What To See

Daelim Museum (대림미술관)

Sitting just west of the palace and easily found from Gyeongbokgung Subway Station, exit 3, is Daelim Museum. Daelim hosts fantastic exhibitions and creates very experiential installations. It’s always a good idea to see what they’re hosting. There is also a lovely cafe inside this museum.

• Address: 21 Jahamun-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 자하문4길 21)

Daeo Bookstore (대오서점)

You’ll often see photos of this quaint bookstore in Seochon and it’s because it is Seoul’s first and oldest bookshop established in 1951. The traditional building is full of books and it’s remained the same year after year.

• Address: 55 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Cheongunhyoja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 자하문7길 55)

Ground Seesaw Seochon (그라운드시소)

Ground Seesaw is a cultural complex that hosts interesting exhibitions. The space, designed by SoA, an architecture firm, and Loci Studio, a landscaping studio, is interesting on its own, but even better when you can weave through the space seeing artistic installations too.

• Address: 18-8 Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 자하문로6길 18-8)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
• Days: Closed the first Monday of every month.
• Website: www.groundseesaw.co.kr

Cheongwadae Sarangchae (청와대사랑채)

This pavilion, which existed even before Cheongwadae, or the President’s house, became open to the public, is devoted to Korean history and culture. Get some background of the area and the presidents of Korea.

• Address: 45 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 효자로13길 45)
• Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission: Free

Boan Inn (보안여관)

Originally a space for travelers from 1942 until 2005, this building is now a culture and arts space. In the regeneration, original building walls and spaces were preserved and now the space houses a gallery, cafe, and bookstore. Newly named Boan 1942, you can visit to find free and paid exhibitions and seats with views of the palace walls.

• Address: 33 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 효자로 33)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 6:00pm

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Where To Eat

Tongin Market (통인시장)

Traditional markets are always the first thing I check out for good eats in an area and Seochon has one that is a must-visit. The great thing about Tongin Market is that you get coins which are worth W500 and you can get small helpings of numerous food items from any vendor there. This is such a great option if you’re not quite sure if you’ll like something.

If you have visitors and you want to give them a good taste of a lot of different things without ordering the heaping bowlfuls that so many things come in, this is really the best way to go.

Downstairs in the traditional market, you get all that you see in that those black trays above. Head upstairs and you can get a bowl of rice and some soup too and your meal will be big and filling. Trust me. To get more info on how the coins work and what to do in Tongin Market, check out this post I wrote the first time I went there.

• Address: 10-3 Tongin-dong Jongno-gu Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 통인동 10-3)
• Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
  • Dosirak Cafe: Monday – Friday: 11:00am – 4:00pm

Hyoja Bakery (효자베이커리)

If you walk through Tongin Market from the main road to the end, you’ll exit and find Hyoja Bakery. This is a famous bakery in the area that supplied the Blue House, or Cheongwadae, where the Korean president resided, for 26 years.

The shop is still a very old neighborhood style shop and has fresh donuts, pastries filled with chestnut filling, cornbread filled with corn kernels and onion, and plenty more delicious popular options. 

• Address: 54 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 7:30am ~ 12:00am

Sejong Village Food Street (세종마을음식문화거리)

If you’re coming from the subway station, you’ll pass by this happening street first on the left. This street is lined with more traditional Korean fare like Korean bbq. It’s a bit more happening for dinnertime than lunch though, FYI.

• Address: Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 자하문로1길)

Bar Cham (참)

Tucked away in an old Hanok, or traditional Korean house, step into one of “Asia’s 50 Best Bars”. Bar Cham has unique cocktails that are based on Korean traditional spirits. Watch the masterful bartenders create amazing drinks made with ingredients sourced around Korea. 

• Address: 34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 통인동 자하문7길 34)
• Hours: Wednesdays – Mondays: 6:00pm ~ 1:00am (Closed Tuesdays)

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