Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

4.0Km    2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes. 

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Namsan Cable Car (남산 케이블카)

4.0Km    2024-10-25

83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2403

Namsan Cable Car provides a panoramic view of downtown Seoul. The cable car has been in operation for over 40 years, taking tourists and residents alike to Namsan Seoul Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in the city.

Himart - Cheonggu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 청구점)

Himart - Cheonggu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 청구점)

4.0Km    2024-04-18

210, Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

4.0Km    2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

4.1Km    2024-04-19

48, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

4.1Km    2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Bijindo Haemulttukbaegi (비진도해물뚝배기)

Bijindo Haemulttukbaegi (비진도해물뚝배기)

4.1Km    2021-03-30

53, Seosomun-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-312-2867

It is a place that many tourists, as well as office workers, visit. This seafood restaurant is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood hot pot.

Innisfree - Mia Samgeori Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 미아삼거리)

4.1Km    2024-04-22

31, Dobong-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

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Hillhouse Hotel / 힐하우스 호텔

Hillhouse Hotel / 힐하우스 호텔

4.1Km    2025-03-18

42 , Sogong-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-8135

Hill House Hotel is a business hotel at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Seoul. Free internet is available in all rooms, and there is a shared microwave on the first floor. A free luggage storage service is provided for customers’ convenience. Nearby transport links include Hoehyeon subway station, Seoul Station, and Myeongdong subway station, so this is a good base for exploring downtown Seoul. Namsan Park, N Seoul Tower and Namdaemun Market are all within walking distance.

Jangchungdan Park (장충단공원)

Jangchungdan Park (장충단공원)

4.1Km    2020-03-18

261, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jangchungdan Park is located on the northeastern foot of Namsan Mountain. On August 20th, 1895, Empress Myeongseong was killed by Japanese soldiers in Gyeongbokgung Palace and many Korean soldiers such as Yi Gyeong-jik and Hong Gye-hun died while trying to hold back the intruders. In memory of these soldiers, Emperor Gojong built the Jangchungdan Shrine in November 1900 at the current site of the Shilla Hotel guesthouse. The shrine was lost during the Korean War and the area was renovated into a park in 1919.

On September 22, 1984, Jangchungdan Park was designated the 374th neighborhood park of Korea and part of the park was merged with Namsan Park. The remaining area retained the name “Jangchungdan Park” and is still home to cultural assets such as the Jangchungdan Memorial Stone, Supyogyo, Seungjeongjeon, Gwanseongmyo, and Waryongmyo. The park is considered a landmark of patriotism since it contains the 1919 Independence Movement of Korea Memorial Stone and other monuments dedicated to people such as Han Yong-un, Yu Gwan-sun, and Gim Yong-hwan who fought for the independence of Korea.