Insadong, in Seoul, is by far the BEST place to go for your Christmas gifts this year. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas and are just looking for a nice souvenir to take home or an advantage for a loved one’s birthday, Insadong has you covered!
In this blog post, I will outline how to arrive in Insadong, what kind of gifts Insadong offers, where to eat in Insadong, my favourite area, and final tips for your skills this holiday season!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I appreciate each and every one of you! Take a moment to comment down below what your favourite part of the holiday season is.
How to get to Insadong
Firstly, you must arrive there in one piece to discover my favourite part of Seoul. I am getting to Insadong by public transportation (I love how easy it is to travel in South Korea!).
You can take Seoul subway line 2 to Anguk station and exit 6 to find the street, and you will immediately be walking on the street.
Why You Should Visit Insadong
Insadong is my favourite place in Seoul. This area and Ikseondong capture cosiness perfectly, especially with the juxtaposition of Hanok-style streets and buildings, with boutiques on the inside.
It is a great way to spend a day just strolling, regardless of the weather. In any weather, it can still be cosy. If it is hot outside, you can grab an ice cream or a cold drink or walk along the streets.
If it’s cold outside, you can grab a warm drink and bundle up in one of the many comfy cafes. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon when you do not want to go wild on visiting areas and can take the place at your own pace.
Gifts Insadong Offers
Insadong offers a range of gifts. The gifts vary from cultural offerings to artisan-style ones. The gifts are great if you are travelling to Insadong, South Korea, for a short period and are looking for things to bring back home.
You can find typical tourist souvenirs, like fridge magnets, Korean traditional fans, Korean tea cups/tea, and clothes. Anything South Korean-themed you can get!
There are also more unique gifts, such as customised stamps with South Korean designs! This is one of my favourite gifts that I picked up for some friends. For as cheap as $3, you can get a customised stamp!
I think this is something people will cherish for a while, especially as it is personalised. There are more expensive versions, but I opted for just the cheapest style: a simple wooden cylinder.
Head to Ikseondong for Treats
Not too far away from Insadong Street is Ikseongdong. It is another Hanok-style village, but many cute cafes and restaurants are inside.
Aside from cafes and restaurants, there are, of course, photo booths. I recommend trying the Salt Cafe here. It has crazy-filled croissants that many in Seoul are obsessed with, and I know why.
There is also a Hanok-style cafe as well, which is incredibly cosy. You sit on the floor with floor heating and can eat sweet treats. With dim lighting and a wooden interior, it’s perfect for a winter afternoon.
We ate at a restaurant here that was Korean fusion food. If I can find the name, I will add it later, but we had a yellow Korean curry with rice, and it was delicious! It comes with chicken and rice.
Gaeseong Michelin Dumplings
If you are into crossing off Michelin’s list of places in Seoul, this is one that you should visit! You can get a Michelin-rated restaurant for as little as $12-15. It is located in the heart of Insadong, which is perfect.
It is located in another Hanok-style building and is nestled in the town. You properly feel like you are in a dumpling house. The atmosphere is busy, with the elderly Koreans making hand-made dumplings.
These are hand-pulled and made right there in front of you. The dumplings are delicious and have only a few selections of dumplings, which to me indicates that they have specialised in their field 😉
There are also vegetarian options with a yummy mushroom dumpling. These dumplings are big, so although you only get six in the combination dish, it is enough for a filling meal.
Onion Cafe
I’m unsure if you can tell by now, but I am a foodie. This is why Seoul is perfect for me with its selection of cafes.
Onion is a chain with a few locations in Seoul, from Anguk to Seongsu. The one that is closest to Insadong is near Anguk and is around a ten-minute walk.
I suggest visiting this if you are in the area and care for another cosy cafe. It is also in a 100-year-old Hanok building!
Again, Onion also has crazy-style pastries. They are larger than life and have various flavours. They even have unique themed coffees such as their apple pie latte! Each location has its amazing latte, which I found incredible.
Where to Stay in Insadong
If you are thinking about staying in Insadong, there are a few hotels that you can book. I have never been to any of these, but from the outside and the reviews, they seem like a great place to stay.
This includes Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong and Oraki Insadong Streets. Please let me know if you stay here; if I have family or friends visiting, I suggest they stay in this area!
It’s not too loud or hectic and in a good location for visiting cultural sites.
Conclusion
Overall, Insadong is one of the places in Seoul I will dearly miss. I’m a bit of a shopaholic, and this is the perfect place for me.
I will miss walking around the streets, grabbing a fancy latte, window shopping, and shopping for my friends and family.
It’s an excellent low-intensity activity you can enjoy with friends or yourself for a self-care day! Let me know if you do end up visiting and what your favourite spots are.
Comment below if you visit Insadong and what areas you liked the best! Thank you for reading 🙂
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