Located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno 3-ga Station offers a perfect blend of the serene atmosphere of Hanok houses and affordable local food, making it an ideal destination for a walking tour. From Donuimun Grilled Meat Alley, lined with barbecue restaurants, to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, filled with charming cafes and galleries, this area showcases diverse attractions. This short walking tour provides a glimpse into both the past and present of Seoul, offering a combination of historical exploration and culinary delights, making it a popular course among foreign visitors. Walk into the Heart of Seoul! Today's recommended subway tour features Line 5.
Walk into the Heart of Seoul! A place where you can experience the charm of old villages, enjoy affordable and hearty meals, and feel the atmosphere of traditional Hanok houses come to like!
Walk into the Heart of Seoul! Exploring the Subway Line 5, Jongno 3(sam)ga Station
Once considered a popular spot for seniors or office workers to gather for evening outings, Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station is now a place full of affordable, local eateries and historic charm. Right in the heart of Seoul, the area has retained many old-fashioned, nostalgic spots, with traditional food streets like Donui-dong's meat alley and Nakwon-dong's eateries offering jeon(Korean savory pancakes), gukbap (soup with rice), and spicy braised monk fish. Although the crowd still tends to be older compared to other busy areas, an increasing number of younger visitors are also frequenting these streets.
Stepping out of Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, the first sight you'll encounter is Donui-dong's meat alley, lined with restaurants featuring distinctive drum barrel tables. Here, their soy-marinated skirt steak is particularly famous. Just past this spot, you'll find two renowned noodle restaurants, Grandma Kalguksu and Changyangjip, known as the pride of Jongno Kalguksu. Be prepared to wait in line if you want to have lunch there! The alley continues and leads into Ikseon-dong, a new must-visit area following Bukchon and Seochon. This area, known as Ikseon Hanok Village, is a neighborhood filled with early modern-style hanok houses.
In these alleys, lined with homes over a century old and once carefully tended by older generations, many houses have been transformed into charming cafes and galleries, attracting younger crowds. Nearby, Turtle Super - a local corner store converted into a popular beer spot - draws many young couples and groups of friends who come to take photos and enjoy the vibe. However, as this is a residential area with current inhabitants, it's important to be respectful of the residents' privacy.
After exploring Ikseon-dong here and there, the next step is the Tteok Museum, where you can admire the beauty of Korean rice cakes (Tteok) and traditional sweets. You can even taste them at the cafe on the first floor. The final destination of this course is Unhyeongung Palace, once the residence of King Gojong's father, Heungseon Daewongun, filled with his legacy of rise and fall. This grand estate, comparable to a royal palace in scale, stands as a testament to his past power and offers the elegant scenery of a traditional hanok.
Unhyeongung is close to Exit 4 of Anguk Station. If the short course leaves you wanting more, you can make your way back toward Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, finishing your journey with crispy and tender assorted Jeon (Korean savory fan cakes) and a bowl of makgeolli in Nakwon-dong's jeon street.
Walk into the Heart of Seoul! Seoul Subway Travel Course - Course Information
1. Course
Line 5, Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, Exit 6 ⥬ Donui-dong Meat Alley, Kalguksu Noodle Street ⥬ Ikseon-dong Hanok Village Cafe Alley ⥬ Tteok Museum ⥬ Unhyeongung Palace ⥬ Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 4
2. Exit information for Line 5, Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station
➦ Exit 1 : Tapgol Park (250m), Jongno Jewelry Street, towards Insaodong (500m)
➦ Exit 2 : Pimatgol Alley (40m), Jongno Jewelry Street area
➦ Exit 5 : Nakwon Arcade (50m), Unhyeongung Palace (300m), towards Insadong (200m), Tapgol Park Rear Gate (130m), Insadong Cultural Street (400m), Bukchon Hanok Village (840m)
➦ Exit 6 : Towards Donhwamun Gate, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace (600m), Tteok Museum (260m)
➦ Exit 8 : Jongmyo Shrine (260m), Jongmyo Square Park (100m)
➦ Exit 10 and 11 : Jongno Jewelry Street (60m)
➦ Exit 12 : Sewoon Greenbelt Park (340m), Jongno Sewoon Stream (190m)
3. Distance : Approximately 1.4km
4. Duration : Around 2 hours
Walk into the Heart of Seoul! Seoul Subway Travel Course - Highlights Introduction
Point 01. Donui-dong Meat Alley, Kalguksu, and Jeon Street
Head about 320m from Exit 6 of Line 5, Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, and turn into the Salt-Grilled Alley. The first destination on this Seoul subway travel course, Donui-dong, Ikseon-dong, and Nakwon-dong, located next to Exit 6, are known for their unique, historic eateries, untouched by large chain restaurants. The Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station area is full of local culinary gems. Neighboring the now-popular Ikseon-dong, Donui-dong's meat alley, formed in the 1990s, remains a lesser-know yet continuously beloved spot for both locals and visitors.
In the narrow alleyways lined with closely packed eateries, crowds gather in the evening, filling the spaces with lively energy. Though lacking standardized cooking equipment, dishes, or tables, patrons sit on drum barrel seats, grilling meat and enjoying soju in a humble yet charming setting. By day, the area offers kalguksu (noodle soup), transforming into a bustling meat alley by night. There are two kalguksu shops here, each with a history spanning over 50 years. Even without naming them, their popularity is evident by the lines out front. Just ahead lies Jeon Alley, specializing in jeon (savory pancakes) and makgeolli, where you can enjoy delicious jeon at an affordable price.
Point 02. Ikseon-dong Hanok Village
From Kalguksu Alley, head up Donhwamun-ro 11-gil.
Surrounded by a forest of buildings, Ikseon-dong has become one of Seoul's hottest destinations and is a must-visit for walking tours. The movement to rediscover the charm of old neighborhoods began in Bukchon and Seochon and has now reached Ikseon-dong. This area is dotted with newly renovated spots and cafes inside old houses, alongside quaint wooden gates and narrow alleys adorned with vines that retain the character of a bygone urban village. Even the graffiti on utility poles and the cracked walls of old homes add to Iksan-dong's charm, establishing it as a unique gem within Seoul.
Point 03. Jongno Tteok Museum
From the Ikseon-dong plant cafe, head out toward the Jongno Tax Office alley, go along Samil-daero 30-gil, and turn left when you reach the main street, Donhwamun-ro.
After exploring this Seoul walking tour route, the next recommended stop is Nakwon-dong in Jongno 3-ga Station, known for its Tteokjeon Alley. It's said that this area took shape when palace attendants, or nain began selling rice cakes after the fall of the Joseon Dynasty. This makes it a place with a history spanning over a hundred years. The tteok museum, situated in line with Jongno's traditional heritage, captures the diversity of Korean rice cakes and food culture. Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Korean Food Research Institute building, the Tteok Museum showcases how rice cakes have been a vital part of Korean life through generations.
Korean rice cakes are deeply connected to every important life event, from weddings and funerals to celebrations and blessings for good fortune. With their vibrant colors and variety of preparation methods, Korean rice cakes demonstrate a cultural richness that stands proudly alongside cakes and Western pastries. Visitors can also experience making rice cakes by reservation, and on the first floor, there is a rice cake cafe where you can enjoy the authentic taste of Korean rice cakes firsthand.
- Visiting Hours : Monday to Saturday, 10AM - 5PM, Sunday : 12PM - 5PM
- Admission Frees : Adults 3,000 KRW, Elementary to High School Students : 2,000 KRW
Point 04. Unhyeongung Palace
The next stop on the Seoul subway travel route is Unhyeongung Palace. From the Tteok Museum, head straight to the left, continue for 300m along Samil-daero 32-gil, and exit near the Duksung Women's University Jongno Campus, then turn right and go straight. If you are only visiting Unhyeongung Palace, the closest station is Exit 6 of Anguk Station on Line 3.
Unhyeongung Palace, Seoul Historic Site No. 257, was the childhood residence of King Gojong, the 26th king of the Joseon Dynasty, and the private residence of Heungseon Daewongu. As a significant historical site in modern Korean history, it served as the base for Daewongun's political activities. King Gojong lived in Unhyeongung until he was twelve, and when he ascended the throne, the palace underwent extensive renovations to reflect its royal status. During the Japanese colonial period, it was confiscated under the policy of nationalizing royal assets, but Daewongun's descendants continued to manage it. After Korea's liberation, ownership was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and it was restored and opened to the public in 1993.
Unhyeongung consists of the buildings Sujiksa, Noandang, Norakdang, and Irodang. Besides its historical significance, the palace represents traditional hanok architecture, making it a popular location for traditional wedding photos, cultural performances, and educational tours.
Starting at Jongno 3-ga Station on Subway Line 5, this walking tour route captures the charm of Seoul by taking you through Ikseon-dong, the Tteok Museum, and Unhyeongung Palace. The nostalgic streets of Ikseon-dong blend Korea's modern and traditional elements, offering cozy alleyways and delicious eateries where you can fully enjoy Seoul's old-time atmosphere alongside popular food spots in Tteokjeon Alley. The Tteok Museum, where visitors can experience traditional Koreamn rice cakes and sweets, and Unhyeongung Palace, the legacy of Heungseon Daewongun, are unmissable highlights for travelers interested in Korean history.
Wrap up the journey in Tteokjeon Alley with a glass of makgeolli to end your day with a memorable taste of Seoul. Walk into the Heart of Seoul! I hope this recommended Seoul subway walking tour route, starting from Jongno 3-ga Station on Line 5, helps you explore Seoul's hidden charm and tradition.
