Seoul · 익선동
Ikseon-dong: what to see and do
Narrow alleys of low hanok houses turned into cafes, small restaurants and shops, tucked beside the big avenues of Jongno.
Known for
- Hanok alleys developed in the 1920s
- Courtyard cafes serving tea and desserts
- Nakwon Musical Instrument Arcade, right next door
What to do
Walk the alleys slowly and pick a courtyard cafe for tea or dessert. Browse the small shops, then head to nearby Insadong or Jongno for dinner.
Tip: Weekday mornings are the calmest. Weekend afternoons bring long waits at the popular cafes.
Open in Google MapsOpen in Kakao Map
Nearby neighbourhoods
InsadongOne long street of traditional teahouses, calligraphy shops and craft stores, with an…
Changdeokgung & ChanggyeonggungTwo quiet palaces with wooded grounds, ponds and pavilions, set in the east of old Seoul.
Euljiro (Hipjiro)Old print shops, metal workshops and lighting stores sit beside retro bars and cafes…
Gwangjang Market & Jongno 5-gaA covered market over a century old, packed with food stalls, fabric shops and wholesale…
Bukchon & Samcheong-dongSloping lanes of tile-roofed hanok houses with the city skyline behind them, and quiet…
MyeongdongCrowded shopping streets packed with cosmetics stores, fashion shops and street food…