The 15 Best Things to Eat, See and Do in Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Ikseondong is one of Seoul’s hottest destinations. Wandering down Ikseondong’s retro alleyways, you almost forget that you are in Seoul, one of the most bustling and hectic places in the world - and this is what attracts locals and visitors alike. Here are the 15 best things to eat, see and do in 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 Seoul today.

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 Seoul - and we’re so happy they did!

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. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).