Ikseon-dong, located deep in the Jongno district in Seoul, full of antique spots, is becoming a booming hangout location among locals. This charming neighborhood, filled with 20th-century Hanok (traditional Korean houses), blends old-world charm with modern flair. Ikseon-dong is lined with trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants styled with a 1920s vintage touch, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of Korea’s modernization era, Gaehwagi, the same vibe you might recognize from K-Dramas like Mr. Sunshine or Hotel Del Luna. Here are some of the most Instagrammable spots in Ikseon-dong to explore during your stay in Seoul!
1. Ikseon Dong’s Popular Hanok Cafes
1) Cheongsudang Bakery
| Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-20:00 (Last Order 19:30)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Original Egg Souffle Castella (16,800 KRW), Strawberry Souffle Castella (18,800 KRW), Matcha Fromage (17,000 KRW)
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Cheongsudang Bakery is one of the most-visited Hanok cafes and Instagrammable spots in Ikseon-dong. It has a beautiful garden with ponds and bamboo that makes you feel like traveling back in time. Their popular menus include strawberry soufflé castella, original egg soufflé castella, and matcha fromage. Don’t forget to leave pictures at the entrance of Cheongsudang if you go to Ikseon-dong!
2) Dongbaek Bakery
| Address: 17-24, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-22:00 (Last Order 21:30)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Matcha Creme Brulee Souffle (24,000 KRW), Apple Mochi Souffle (28,000 KRW), Matcha Mochi Souffle (25,000 KRW)
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Famed for its soufflé pancakes and its East-meets-West interior design and cutlery, Dongbaek Bakery offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Enjoy Ikseon-dong’s classic atmosphere, decorated with the ‘Dongbaek’ flower, a Korean name for Camellia, known for its vibrant red petals that bloom amidst white snow. This Insta-famous cafe often has lots of people lining up, but their pancakes and uniquely Korean atmosphere are certainly worth waiting for!
3) Nakwon Station
| Address: 33-5, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-22:00 (Last Order 21:30)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Maple Cream Coffee (8,000 KRW), Green Grass Cake (12,800 KRW), Cranberry Cheese Tart (10,800 KRW)
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Designed to look like an old-school train station, at the entrance of Nakwon Station, you’ll be greeted by a retro train announcement panel and a railway. This alone definitely makes the visit here a one-of-a-kind experience. Try out the green grass cake and maple cream coffee for something unique. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll feel the warmth of Korea’s past with a touch of modernity!
4) Appiforet
| Address: 1st floor, 21-14, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 09:30-22:00 (Last Order 21:10)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Strawberry Croffle (17,000 KRW), Gelato Parfait (15,000 KRW), Strawberry Gelato (14,000 KRW)
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A gorgeous garden-like view filled with animal sculptures welcomes you at Appiforet, making you feel like you’ve been invited to an outdoor garden party. The whole cafe has a vibe where you can just chill and hang out with your friends. Go ahead and try out their assortment of desserts, too, while savoring the beautiful interior of Hanok.
2. Ikseon Dong’s Best Restaurants
1) Oncheonjip
| Address: 31-8 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:30-21:30 (Breaktime 15:00-17:00, Last Order 14:00, 20:30)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 6
| Recommended Menu: Black Angus Chuk Eye Sukiyaki (24,000 KRW), Oncheon Bear Shabu (32,000~40,000 KRW), Oncheonjip (23,000~31,000 KRW)
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Oncheonjib is definitely the most popular restaurant in Ikseon-dong. It is always packed with people and has a very long queue in front of the restaurant. It’s not only famous for its food, which is mainly shabu, but also for the visual of its food, which looks like a feast. Moreover, it has a beautiful traditional Asian interior design, which is absolutely Instagram-worthy. Oncheonjib is just behind Cheongsudang Cafe, so you can easily visit both places if you head to Ikseon-dong!
2) Salon Sulla Pub & Restaurant
| Address: 75 Yulgok-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-22:00 (Breaktime 15:00-17:00), Sat-Sun 11:30-22:00
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 7
| Recommended Menu: Truffle Mushroom Pizza (24,800 KRW), Ricotta Prosciutto Pizza (29,000 KRW), Steak Salad (26,000 KRW)
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What more could you ask for than rose vines cascading over an antique Hanok, delicious pasta and steak, and a glass of wine to complete the scene? At Salon Sulla, you can enjoy it all and spend a charming, fragrant afternoon in this hidden “Secret Garden.” Try their signature pollack roe cream pasta or fig and steak salad, perfectly paired with wine. It is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Ikseon-dong, especially during rose season!
3) Bangida
| Address: 166-52 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-21:00 (Breaktime 15:00-17:00) (Last Order 20:00), Sat-Sun 11:30-21:00 (Last Order 20:00)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Bangida Signature A Set (35,000 KRW), Spicy Beef Brisket Black Sesame Cream Pasta (19,000 KRW), Grilled Pork Jowl with Tomato Vegetable Stew (34,000 KRW)
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‘Bangida‘ is a Korean phrase for ‘Welcome.’ As the name suggests, the restaurant welcomes all curious travelers and locals alike to a selection of delectable Korean fusion dishes. Try their Bibimbap and pork-neck dish paired with a glass of Korean rice wine, or if you’re feeling adventurous, their famed steak tartare. The experienced chef, having worked at the 3-Michelin-star Hotel Silla and the Korean research station in Antarctica, knows best how to prepare the most authentic Korean dishes.
4) Namdo-Bunsik
| Address: 33, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:30-21:00 (Last Order 20:30)
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
| Recommended Menu: Dried Radish Leaf Tteokbokki (19,000 KRW), Rosé Tteokbokki (19,000 KRW), Chicken Tteokbokki (23,000 KRW)
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Bunsik is a quick and affordable Korean meal, like the famous Gimbap or Tteokbokki. To us Koreans, we all have nostalgic memories of eating cheap Bunsik with friends in small, bustling stalls next to our schools. Namdo-Bunsik offers all the classics, but more. It serves a selection of Bunsik from “Namdo” or the Southern part of Korea, like Busan. Try their unique radish-leaf Tteokbokki or their spicy cold noodles. Try specialty Bunsik in this bustling store, reminiscent of the old days!
3. Ikseon Dong Shopping
1) Neared
| Address: 1st floor, 26 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-21:00
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 3
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Neared is a curated preloved luxury boutique offering an impressive selection of vintage designer pieces and fashionable accessories. This spot stands out thanks to its artful edit of luxury items, including chic bags, classic garments, and eye-catching jewelry, making it a treasure trove for style-savvy shoppers.
2) Assi Bangagan
| Address: 47 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-21:00
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
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Assi Bangagan in Ikseon-dong isn’t your average perfume stop; it’s a whimsical scent boutique tucked inside a striking hanok with bold, gallery-like interiors, with shelves lined with candles, room sprays, and seemingly endless home aroma options. The shop’s red exterior is impossible to miss, and it’s a go-to destination for scent lovers and souvenir seekers browsing the alleyways of this creative neighborhood.
3) Blue Elephant
| Address: 1st floor, 23-5, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 12:00-20:00
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
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Blue Elephant is a chic eyewear boutique that draws crowds for stylish, affordable glasses, think Gentle Monster vibes, but at wallet-friendly prices. Inside, you’ll find retro-inspired frames made with titanium and high-quality Italian materials, all set against a modern hanok backdrop. The glass-fronted entrance and curated display make browsing here feel like stepping into a minimalist art gallery. If you’re hunting statement sunglasses without splurging, this spot is a must-visit.
4) Teterot Salon
| Address: 21-12, Supyoro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-20:30
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 4
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Teterot Salon is a modern hanbok boutique famous for blending traditional Korean style with cool, everyday fashion. Housed in a restored hanok, this shop features a gallery-like setup where playful, sporty, and sophisticated pieces are neatly displayed for easy browsing, plus friendly staff ready to style you up. It’s stocked with casual pants, sets, plus-size options, and unisex designs, making it approachable for all shapes and tastes.
5) Insadong Vintage
| Address: Basement 1, 30-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
| Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
*Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion
| Nearby Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1,3,5) Exit 5
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Insadong Vintage is a budget-friendly clothing shop known for its mix of quirky, everyday pieces and retro fashion gems, stocked with racks full of pre-loved jackets, playful T-shirts, skirts, and bold accessories at wallet-friendly prices. Friendly staff and a relaxed vibe make it easy for shoppers to browse, and even spontaneous try-ons are encouraged. Whether you love casual vintage or want a unique Seoul souvenir, this store promises chill thrifting right in the city’s culture hub!
Check out these nearby attractions around Ikseon-dong!
- Traditional Bookbinding & Calligraphy experience: Discover the art of Korean tradition with this experience, where you can craft your own keepsake and learn timeless techniques!
- Korean Hanji Workshop: Use the sturdy Korean traditional paper, Hanji, to make lamps, jewelry boxes, and many more.
- Stamp Making Workshop: Make a personalized stamp with your own engravings as a small gift to friends and family.
- Write a Name in Korea on a T-shirt: Learn how to write your name in Korean and have it printed on a T-shirt to take home.
- Three-Course Korean Meal Cooking Class: Cook up a three-course Korean feast, where you’ll learn hands-on from expert local chefs.
Feeling the nostalgia from reading about the most Instagrammable places in Ikseon Dong? Head over to Euljiro for some more reminiscing, or to Hannam-dong for a modern city getaway. Or choose your adventure from this comprehensive list of Instagram-worthy hidden gems in Seoul!
Read more on our blog on the Insagram-worthy hidden gems in Seoul!