A trendy hanok neighborhood Ikseon-dong in Seoul

(Photo courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization)

Ikseon-dong Hanok Street (or Village) is located in the heart of Jongno in Seoul, surrounded by Insadong Street, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. This neighborhood has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other old hanok areas like Bukchon or Seochon. The narrow alleys are filled with traditional tiled-roof houses, but inside are trendy cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars that feel more like Hongdae or Itaewon than a traditional village.

It’s a perfect spot to enjoy food and desserts after a palace visit or exploring the historic district. Wandering through these tight, maze-like alleys makes you curious about what’s around the next turn. When you visit Jongno, make sure to stop by this lively street where tradition walks with the latest trends. Enjoy photogenic desserts in beautiful hanok or have dinner against a backdrop of rooftops from another era.

How to get there: Take Subway Line 1, 3 or 5 to Jongno 3-ga Station and use Exit 3, 4 or 6.

Unique hanok village

Ikseon- dong, Hanok Street (Photo by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

Ikseon-dong is like old wine in new bottles and the reason is behind its history. The village was first developed in the 1920s during the Japanese occupation when Seoul, then called Gyeongseong, underwent rapid urbanization. While many new neighborhoods were built for Japanese residents, Ikseon-dong was different: it became a rare experiment in preserving Korean housing traditions while adapting them into urban hanok for ordinary Korean families.

Unlike Bukchon Hanok Village where noble families once lived in spacious and elegant homes, Ikseon-dong’s hanok were smaller, clustered tightly in small alleys and designed for practicality.

As the decades passed, these homes began to age. In the early 2000s, Seoul City drafted a redevelopment plan to replace the area with high-rise buildings. However, that plan was eventually abandoned to save and revitalize the neighborhood. The rooftops and wooden structures remained, but the interiors were reborn as modern businesses, turning a fading neighborhood into one of Seoul’s most standout cultural streets.

Things to do in Ikseon-dong

What keeps people here is not just the food, but the sense that every turn has a new surprise. Some corners open to cozy cafés or vintage boutiques. It’s a beloved place for dates, hangouts or even solo explorers looking for something different. Here are four things that visitors don’t want to miss.

1. Café hopping

One of the best parts of Ikseon-dong are the hanok cafes where you can sit in traditional courtyards and enjoy desserts that are as pretty as they are tasty. The blend of old wooden frames and modern interiors makes these spaces feel both traditional and new. Another type of cafes you won’t want to miss is the rooftop cafes where you can view the clustered tiled roofs of the neighboring buildings.

2. Fusion restaurants

When it comes to meals, the choices are diverse: Korean, Japanese, Southeast Asian, Mexican, American and Italian. Most places offer fusion menus, blending Korean flavors with international twists.

3. Street snacks

Snack-hopping the district’s alleys is a must-do. You’ll find colorful ice cream, handmade bread, cookies and many Instagram-friendly snacks that make your trip even more fun.

4. Small shops

Besides all the great eats, check out the photo booths and small shops with souvenirs, accessories and clothing. They’re especially popular among young people who want to take home something that holds a special memory of Ikseon-dong.

Best spots to check out in Ikseon-dong

Every alley in Ikseon-dong hides something interesting, but some places are so popular that visitors almost always stop by. Here are a few spots that stand out.

1. Ikseon Aetteut (익선애뜻)

(Photo courtesy of Ikseon Aetteut)

This hanok-style restaurant is known for their creative Korean fusion dishes like grilled pork neck bibimbap, beef rib noodles and marinated short ribs. Kimchi cheese pancakes with honey makgeolli are especially popular. It often gets crowded, so plan ahead if you don’t want to wait.

Address: 24 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 12 – 8:40 p.m.
Prices: 15,000 – 31,000 won per dish

2. Ikseon Chwihyang (익선취향)

(Photo courtesy of Ikseon Chwihyang)

This popular Western fusion restaurant is famous for their beautiful swirl omelet rice and pork belly spicy cream pasta. The portions are generous and flavors are well-balanced. The hanok setting adds to the atmosphere.

Address: 17-32, Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 12 – 9 p.m.
Prices: 16,800 – 33,500 won per dish

3. El Carnitas (엘까르니따스)

(Photo by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

Tucked inside a hanok, El Carnitas is a great restaurant that never disappoints Mexican food lovers. The fajita platters, tacos, burritos and quesadillas are all fantastic, and the bright, colorful interior gives the place a fun, international vibe.

Address: 17-13, Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Prices: 9,900 – 18,900 won per dish

4. Ikseon Yorok (익선요록)

(Photo by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

This Korean pub style-restaurant serves rice bowls like chicken rice, spicy pork and beef short rib over rice. Plus, they also have great hotpot options like beef tripe stew and budae jjigae (sausage stew). You can enjoy good Korean food with traditional rice wine makgeolli in a beautiful hanok setting.

Address: 41 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 12 – 10 p.m.
Prices: 11,800 – 19,800 won per dish / 26,000 – 34,000 won for hotpot

5. Jayeon Salt Bread & Jayeon Doga (자연소금빵&자연도가)

(Photo courtesy of Jayeon Salt Bread & Jayeon Doga)

This bakery draws long lines but the buttery pastries are worth the wait. Their salt bread is buttery, crisp and melts in your mouth. Most customers just grab and go, but if you want to sit at the terrace, you’ll need to order pineapple juice.

Address: 21-17, Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Prices: 12,000 won for 4 pieces / 9,800 won for pineapple juice

6. Cheong Su Dang Bakery (청수당 베이커리)

(Photo courtesy of Cheong Su Dang Bakery)

Cheong Su Dang is one of Ikseon-dong’s most photogenic cafés, blending a traditional hanok atmosphere with fancy desserts. They offer creative twists on classic flavors such as the stylish yakgwa (traditional honey cookies) gift set wrapped in a traditional bojagi cloth. Their bestsellers include strawberry fromage cake and egg souffle castella. The hanok setting itself is beautiful enough to be part of the experience.

Address: 31-9, Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Prices: 6,300 – 7,800 won for drinks / 7,800 – 19,000 won for desserts

7. Nakwonjang (낙원장)

(Photo courtesy of Nakwonjang)

This café is known for the wide selection of handmade breads that are not only delicious but also uniquely designed and eye-catching. Many of the menu items use traditional Korean ingredients like mugwort and injeolmi (rice cake powder). You’ll also find cakes, pies, drinks, and ice cream, a menu with a level of quality you won’t see anywhere else. The rooftop on the third floor has an amazing view worth spending some time there.

Address: 25 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Naver Map
Hours: 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Prices: 4,000 – 9,000 won for drinks / 3,500 won and up for desserts

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