The 15 Best Things to Eat, See and Do in Ikseondong, Seoul | 2023 Edition
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Why all the hype about Ikseondong?
I first visited Ikseondong back in 2017 when I wrote an article about the up-and-coming neighborhood for Seoul Magazine. At the time, Ikseondong was at the brink of becoming an “it” neighborhood attracting young artists, fashion designers and those looking to turn their passion into a profession – and it has grown to be one of the most popular neighborhoods in
But Ikseondong wasn’t always like that. After the Korean War, the area was home to a lively community, but by the early 2000s, the area was more or less dead. However, the community stuck together when plans for demolishing the area were put forth by the city in 2004.
That’s when young creatives come to Ikseondong to open vintage shops, hip cafes and artist galleries to save this iconic area of
How to get to Ikseondong
Getting to Ikseondong is super easy. The trendy neighborhood is located in Jongno-gu close to Insadong and Jongmyo Shrine. The best way to get to Ikseondong is by taking the subway to Jongno 3-ga station. From there, you take exit 6, turn 180 degrees and turn into the first side alley on the left. You will come across the more traditional restaurants first but the further you venture into the hanok cluster, you will soon spot “trendy” cafés and stores.
Ikseondong isn’t actually that big but the many small side alleys make it very confusing to navigate. I suggest finding your way around Ikseondong with the Naver Maps app.
Where to Stay in Ikseondong
Because of its central location in
Ibis Ambassador Insadong
This lovely 3-star hotel is located right at the entrance of Ikseondong and their beautiful rooftop on the 10th floor overlooks the hanok clusters beautifully.
The hotel has everything you need and the staff is English-speaking. The rooms aren’t too small either and are very comfortably furnished.
Moxy Seoul Insadong
Located on the southern end of Ikseondong, he brand-new Moxy
I previously stayed at the Moxy hotel in Osaka and fell in love with the trendy hotel brand.
What to do in Ikseondong
Because Ikseondong is such a trendy neighborhood, there are a lot of amazing things to see, do and especially eat there. It’s also one of those places that keep changing and new cafés, restaurants and shops are constantly popping up. This guide is regularly updated to give you the most up-to-date information about Ikseondong in
Madang Flowers & Cafe
When looking for hot spots in Ikseondong, the first photos that usually pop up are of the beautiful colorful umbrella lined exterior of Madang Flowers & Cafe. While the outside is Instagrammable all in itself, don’t miss checking out the interior. Stepping into the flower cafe it feels like entering a spring picnic with extravagant flower decorations. You can also watch the florists creating stunning flower arrangements and even have a custom bouquet made for you or a special someone.
Madang Flowers & Cafe 마당플라워카페
> Address: 166-23, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-743-0724
> Operating Hours: Mon~Sun 7:30 – 04:00
Gyeongseong Flea Market
This cute clothing store sells vintage inspired clothing at affordable prices. I picked up a floral summer wrap dress for only 26,000 KRW. Cash gets you a better deal but you can also pay with card for an additional 10% surcharge. Even though the pieces on the racks seem to be “free size”, a lot of the pieces are made to truly fit most body shapes.
Gyeongseong Flea Market 경성상점
> Address: 33-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
Ikseon Goro
You’ve probably seen posts of this bright purple soft serve cone all over Instagram. Indeed, Ikseon Goro started out with only one item on their menu – the signature blueberry soft serve (2,500 won).
Today, they also offer an additional variety in bright pink: raspberry soft serve.
Ikseon Goro 익선 고로
> Address: 166-34, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
Hotel Seine
If you are looking for a superb rooftop with view of Garosugil, Hotel Seine has got you covered! The café/bakery/rooftop lounge covers as many as six floors. The rooftop is my absolute favorite as it’s super chill and relaxing. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a boutique in the basement where you can do some shopping.
Hotel Seine Cafe 호텔 세느장
> Address: 28-5 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-745-4664
> Operating Hours: Mon~Sun 12.00~10.00 PM
Cafe Highwaist
Cafe Highwaist is an extremely popular bakery/café in Ikseondong. It’s pretty much always full of people no matter when you go. Their most famous dessert is a dog-shaped cookie in chocolate flavor but I absolutely fell in love with their raspberry & vanilla filled donuts and early grey pound cake. The glass roof gives the café a lot of bright, natural light that adds to the cozy interior design. Definitely a must when in Ikseondong!
Cafe Highwaist 하이웨스트
> Address: 223-80 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu,
> Operating Hours: Mon~Sat 11:30 AM – 9 PM, Closed on Sunday
Mil Toast Ikseondong
Mil toast house is a relatively new cafe in Ikseondong but it’s already extremely popular. Their specialty is delicious steamed bread (KRW 13,000) served in a bamboo dim sum steamer basket. You can choose between four yummy flavors: available in plain, red bean, or chestnut and corn fillings.
Mil Toast 밀 토스트
> Address: 21-3, Donui-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-766-0627
> Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Ruska Cafe
Ruska Cafe is located in a beautiful wooden hanok house and offers seating inside and in their courtyard. Besides a great selection of coffee and other beverages, Ruska also sells handmade table ware with different traditional Korean and modern designs.
Their tea menu is also very impressive with options like Korean Sejak Green Tea, which is one of the most popular green teas in Korea made from the young green tea leaf of Jiri Mountain.
Ruska Cafe 루스카
> Address: 166-28, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-742-4121
> Operating Hours: ?
Cafe Tteuran
This teahouse is one of the oldest establishments in Ikseondong as it opened back in 2009 when the area was re-developed. The café is especially popular among Japanese tourists due to its appearance in the Korean-Japanese movie “Café
Cafe Tteuran 뜰안
> Address: 166-76, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-745-7420
> Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, closed on Monday
Meal°
This extremely Instagrammable café specializes in super light and fluffy bread. The name meal° comes from a word play from the Korean 밀도, which means density and 밀, which also translates to “wheat”. Besides different kinds of bread, they also make some pretty good scones in different flavors. You can check out their entire menu here.
Meal° 밀도
> Address: 82-7, Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-3675-5050
> Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12: 00 ~ 22: 00 (open year-round)
Cheongsudang & Oncheonjib
These two places are located right across from each other and they seem to belong to the same owner. The Japanese spa-inspired interior design makes Cheongsudang and Oncheonjib the two most Instagrammable places in Ikseondong.
Oncheonjib (which literally translates to Onsen House – from the Japanese sauna), serves delicious and authentic Japanese bento-style dishes. After the meal, head over to Cheongsudang for some sweet desserts and delicious coffee.
Cheongsudang 청수당 & Oncheonjib 온천집
> Address: 서울 종로구 돈화문로11나길 31-8
> Phone: 02-741-8215
> Operating Hours: 11:30-21:30, Break time on weekdays 15:00-17:00
Saladaeng Bangkok
Saladaeng Bangkok is a really trendy but quite expensive Thai restaurant. However, the food is definitely worth the price. I highly recommend making reservations before you head here because it’s always pretty packed and a long line forms out front during peak hours.
They have a three-tiered tray of dim sum tower that is very popular but my absolute favorite is the Pad Thai. The restaurant does not only serve extremely delicious Thai food but the interior design is also extremely Instagrammable.
Saladaeng Bangkok 살라댕 방콕
> Address: 166-16, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-764-8215
> Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, break time from 3 PM to 5 PM
Assibangagan
Among trendy cafés and restaurants, you should definitely drop by Assibangagan. This store is popular for its home-made aroma diffusers, candles, and other scent related items. You can even make your own personal fragrance diffusers based on your own preferences.
The interior of the shop is also incredibly beautiful blending the boudoir of a victorian queen with Korean hanok design. If you are looking for a unique gift idea or something fun to treat yourself to, I highly recommend this place.
Assibangagan 아씨방앗간
> Address: 47, Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-766-1359
> Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, closed on Monday
Ikseon Comics
Comic book lovers are really going to get a kick out of this place. Even thought a comic book cafe isn’t exactly rare in South Korea (there really are A TON of these), this particular location is certainly something else. The retro vibe is so inviting that you just want to sit down and devour a good book here.
The comic book store is also decorated with a Simpsons theme – making it even more fun to check out!
Ikseon Comics 만홧가게
> Address: 33-7 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-741-1339
Renting vintage clothes
While you can rent traditional Korean hanbok dress in places like Bukchon and Insadong, Ikseondong’s retro vibe has brought about a different kind of dress-up style. Here, you can rent vintage clothing from the early 1900s, just like in the drama Mr. Sunshine.
Book your vintage clothing experience directly on Klook to reserve a time slot. You can take photos with your friends or other half in their studio and outdoors around the Ikseondong hanok cluster.
Kkilook House
This lovely bakery is another one of my favorite places in Ikseondong. While it seems like a rather small and unimpressive café at first, you will be completely blown away by the stunning second floor and rooftop with hanok views. On top of that, their jam/spread sampler is divine – you get to sample five of their homemade jams/spreads with flavors like mugwort, coconut, raspberry/yogurt, blueberry and milk.
I loved the atmosphere here, especially when you can snatch a traditional Korean floor seat next to the ceiling window overlooking the hanok roofs.
Kkilook House 끼룩하우스
> Address: 26-4 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 02-747-2626
> Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 08:00 – 20:00, Sat-Sun: 09:00 – 19:00
Ikseon-dong Ssal Sanghoe
If you’re feeling hungry at the end of your Ikseondong adventure (I highly doubt it), these delicious rice cakes might just do the trick! This little stand opens around 2 pm and offers a variety of long, filled rice cakes with various sweet and savory options.
Ikseondong Ssal Sanghoe 익선동쌀상회
> Address: 30, Donui-dong, Jongno-gu,
> Phone: 010-9959-4434
> Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Come and visit Ikseondong!
As you can see, there’s a lot to see, eat and do in Ikseondong and you shouldn’t miss out. Ikseondong is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny afternoon but there are so many things to do there that you can even spend a whole day in Ikseondong. It’s also a good idea to go back every once in a while and explore what’s new.
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