Ikseon-dong: Where To Eat and What To Do
Ikseon-dong has become one of the most popular little Hanok villages in downtown Seoul. While people visit Bukchon Hanok Village to see the old Hanoks in all of their grandeur, Ikseon-dong attracts visitors for food, cafes, and fun.
The alleys are narrower and instead of traditional, the shops that have moved in seem to pay homage to the history and traditions of the area through upscale eats and artistic experiences. You can find quirky, cute, and fun places to hang out in this historic district of Seoul, Korea.
Ikseon-dong also makes for a great area to stay in as I found when I stayed at the Moxy Hotel. From adorable alleyways of Hanoks that are a little more gritty and lived in:
- Where is Ikseon-dong?
- What To Know About Ikseon-dong
- Where To Stay
- Best Places To Eat
- Things To Do In Ikseon-dong
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Where is Ikseon-dong?
There are a number of popular Hanok villages in downtown Seoul so it would be easy to wonder which one everyone is talking about. While there is the Bukchon Hanok Village to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of Seoul, and Seochon Hanok Village to the west, Ikseon-dong is a neighborhood of Hanoks turned restaurants and cafes that is just east of Insadong. While tourists were flocking to Bukchon Hanok Village, locals started heading to Ikseon-dong and now it’s popular with both locals looking for cute cafes and Instagrammable facades and tourists looking for good eats.
To get to Ikseon-dong, take the subway to Jongno 3-ga Station and go from exit 3, 4, or 6 and head north.
What To Know About Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong is the oldest Hanok village in Seoul with over 100 years of history. First established in the 1920s, there a mix of traditional buildings that are filled with cute cafes and some great culinary treats surrounded by more modern hotels and buildings.
I think it’s important to note that the Ikseon-dong alleyways are much narrower than the broad alleys you’ll find in Bukchon and the area is flat without the hills of Bukchon as well which means you can feel a bit squished and get turned around fairly easily in this neighborhood. That said, you can’t really get lost. If you walk too far in any one direction, you’ll end up on a busier broader street, so you’ll know to turn around and head back in. But, it does make finding specific cafes and restaurants a bit of a scavenger hunt if you don’t know the area well so just be prepared for that.
Where To Stay
There are a number of places to stay around Ikseon-dong but I highly recommend Moxy Seoul Insadong.
Moxy Seoul Insadong
Though called Insadong, Moxy is located at southern end of Ikseon-dong. I stayed at Moxy Seoul Insadong last winter and it is a super fun spot to stay with a nice wine bar on the rooftop and great views out over the Ikseon-dong Hanok village. Moxy is known for the fun atmosphere, communal spaces, and comfortable stay and I can attest to that. If you’re looking for a hotel in downtown Seoul near the historic sites, but near plenty of restaurants and convenient transportation, this is an ideal stay.
Book a stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Best Places To Eat
I’ve spent the most time in Ikseon-dong eating. There are a lot of cool cafes in Ikseon-dong, but the restaurants are really what I recommend going to Ikseon-dong for. Ikseon-dong manages to not just house Instagrammable spaces, but they really do have some amazing restaurants with upscale eats and treats.
Ikseon Banju (익선반주)
One of the best places to eat in the area if you’re also looking for an excellent makgeolli, or Korean rice wine, selection. The interior of the old Hanok is decorated to feel intimate and cozy but upscale and beautiful. The dishes are a modern spin on local ingredients and are delicious and thought out. A great option if you’re with friends and looking for the ambiance.
- Address: 31 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil 31, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11다길 31)
- Hours: Every day: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm (Break time: 3:00pm ~ 4:00pm on weekdays only)
Whale (고래)
Another good makgeolli spot, the food here is also delicious and pairs well with the great makgeolli selection. This spot is a bit cozier and cramped but in a good way. Dishes and cups have that fun eclectic style which gives you an idea of how it feels inside. There’s plenty to look out all around, suffice to say. Go to this cozy spot with a close friend or acquaintance and you’ll be sure to have great conversations.
- Address: 19 Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11가길 19 고래)
Le Blanseu (르블란서)
The first place I ever ate at in Ikseon-dong years and years ago was an absolute French treat. Order the mussels, they are soooo delicious. This chic French bistro serves French home meals. Might not be what you’d expect inside of a beautiful Korean Hanok, but a perfect blend.
- Address: 30 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 익선동 170-1)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: Lunch service: 12:00pm ~ 4:00pm; Dinner service: 5:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Songam Yugwan (송암여관)
One thing about Ikseon-dong that you’ll realize if you visit enough places is that you really have no idea from the alley what you’re about to step into. Songam Yugwan may look like every other hanok from the entrance, but features a beautiful pond in its central area when you step inside. A delicious meal awaits too.
- Address: 31-3 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11나길 31-3)
- Hours: Every day: 11:30am ~ 10:00pm (Monday – Friday: Break time: 3:00pm ~ 5:00pm)
Brew 3.15
Looking for some good craft beer in the Ikseon-dong area? Find this beer and pizza spot that is just north of the main Ikseon-dong area. You can find craft beers from local breweries like Magpie, Budnamu and more.
- Address: 40 Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 삼일대로 32가길 40)
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 4:30pm ~ 11:55pm
Apgujeong Haru (압구정하루)
When we are out wandering and I’ve got a picky eater or my daughter doesn’t know what she wants to eat, I’m always on the look out for good tonkatsu/donkkaseu and Ikseon-dong has some good ones including this spot. Want something tried and true and will hit the spot? This is a good basic spot to fill up.
- Address: 22-1 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 돈화문로 11나길 22-1)
- Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm
Artmonster Ikseon-dong (아트몬스터 익선동)
Ikseon-dong isn’t the only neighborhood in Seoul to have a cool Artmonster craft beer pub, but it is a good one to find here. In other Artmonster pubs there are self-pour taps, here though, fitting with the traditional Hanok-style, you’ve got the standard order at the bar experience.
- Address: 30 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11다길 30)
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 3:00pm ~ 11:30pm; Friday: 3:00pm ~ Midnight; Saturday: 2:00pm ~ Midnight; Sunday: 2:00pm ~ 11:00pm
Gogi Street (고기길)
If you’re looking for that quintessential Korean BBQ experience, there’s a whole street of meat restaurants in Ikseon-dong that serve up just that. I’ve eaten at three of the restaurants on the street and they’ve all served up some good dishes. You pick, you’ll be happy.
- Address: Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil (돈화문로 11가길)
Craft Roo
With about 10 beers on tap at any time, this is a small but nice craft beer spot in the area serving up beers made from Korean brands like Hand & Malt, Gorilla, Brewery 304, and more. Order a 6-beer sampler and sit back with their well-paired eats.
- Address: 17-7 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 수표료 28길 17-7)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00pm ~ Midnight; Saturday: 12:00pm ~ Midnight
Things To Do In Ikseon-dong
While most locals, myself included, head to Ikseon-dong for the food, there are some things you can actually do to have fun in between bites. Here are a few things to do in Ikseon-dong if you don’t just want a foodie exploration.
Com Com Play (새서울 콤콤오락실)
The sign out front would tell you that this is the “World Best Korean Style Center”. This retro game arcade gives off 1980s vibes and fits in perfectly with the hipster vibes of the area.
- Address: 23-6 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11길 28-5)
YISHAN Ikseon Boutique Retro Clothing
While renting Hanboks is popular in the more traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, here it’s popular to rent outfits that are not so Joseon. If you want to jazz up your photos, try some renting some retro outfits.
- Address: 3rd floor, 38 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu Seoul (서울 종로구 돈화문로11길 38)
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday: 1:00pm ~ 7:00pm
- Book: You can book your retro clothing rental in advance and get a discount on Klook or on kkday.com
Ikseon Shooting Club (익선슈팅클럽)
As I was wandering through the alleyways, I found it interesting there was a shooting club. Not your standard afternoon activity, but you can have your go with a BB gun and a target.
- Address: 17-26 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu Seoul (서울 종로구 수표로28일 21-13)
Ikseon-dong has become a really popular district in Seoul for both locals and tourists. Have a good time exploring this Hanok village.
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