Itaewon in Seoul’s foreigner friendly and Internationally diverse district. Here you will see people from all different parts of the world living and breathing in this area. The U.S. army based used to be in right next to Itaewon which made the area wasn’t as appealing, but now that the base has moved, the Itaewon area is becoming a popular place within Seoul.
Whether you are from Africa, Asia, America, Europe, or South America, you will find a place here among all the other foreigners. I had never seen as much diversity packed into one area before visiting Itaewon and I was culture shocked.
In Itaewon you will find restaurants that will cater to all types of cuisine around the world, lots of bars and clubs for the nightlife scene and different shops. About a 15 minute walk from Itaewon’s main street you will find The War Memorial of Korea which is a place that any visitor has to go to.
Here are some of the places we went to and explored.
The War Memorial of Korea
(Free Admission) (Opened from 9:30 AM — 6:00 PM)
A must visit for any visitor to Seoul because of its history and free admission. The War Memorial Of Korea is a large memorial and museum that displays and preserves artifacts from the Korean War and war history of Korea. The memorial was established to remember the Korean war and symbolizes the desire for a peaceful reunification of Korea.
The museum consists of over 6 individual exhibition halls, cinema, cafe, combat experience room, and an outdoor area filled with military vehicles and statues. It takes about three hours to complete a full tour of the memorial and is filled with rich history, stories, and artifacts from all sorts of eras.
If you plan on visiting the DMZ or JSA, this a great spot to stop first to learn more about the Korean War and how it is still going on to this moment today.
Outdoor Exhibition Area
Outside the museum you will find a large area filled with all sorts of military vehicles that include aircraft like large bombers and fighters, tanks and armored personal carriers, missiles, artillery, ships, helicopters and more. When I first arrived at the museum I was shocked to see this many vehicles packed into one area and I didn’t even walk into the memorial building yet.
Inside the Memorial
Inside the War Memorial of Korea you will find different sections talking about the military history of Korea from the prehistoric age up to the Korean War. The Memorial has so much to see, watch and learn. The animations and videos were also amazing and projected onto transparent glass. I was shocked at all of the artifacts the museum held on display.
Address:
War Memorial Hall of Korea
29 Itaewon-ro Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/5m4wPPAp
Itaewon Street
If you are heading towards Itaewon, you are probably going to end up somewhere between Noksapyeong Station and Hanganjin Station. Basically Itaewon Street is a long street with lots of shops, restaurants, and cafes that cater to the foreigners in this area. You will also find big name brand shops and even a small shopping mall.
Line Friends Store
The most notable and eye catching store along Itaewon Street is the 3 story Line Friends Flagship store which is the biggest location in South Korea and the world. Line is a mobile social messaging app that is popular in Japan and they have cute mascots that are popular around the world.
Inside the store you can take pictures with all of the different Line characters, sit and enjoy a drink at the cafe, and do some shopping. The store gets crowded during the afternoon and evening, so its better to go early.
Address:
Line Friends Flagship Store Itaewon Branch
200 Itaewon-ro Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/x2I5nnHO
Hyundai Card Music Library and Hyundai Card Storage
Another notable spot along Itaewon Street, for you music lovers and vinyl record hipsters is Hyundai Card Music Library and Hyundai Card Storage. In the Card Music Library you can find a huge collection of over 10,000 vinyl records to listen to and hang out in. While in the Hyundai Card Storage building you can purchase vinyl records and listen to them.
Address:
Hyundai Card Music Library
246 Itaewon-ro Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/5b4g1a8E
Teong and Groove Joint
One of the tastiest spots in Itaewon with a Michelin Star. Teong and Groove Joint is the place to get Korean BBQ style Beef, Pork and Lamb. It usually gets crowded around the evening time and the costs are a lot higher than other places. Their beef is locally sourced that the waiter cooks everything for you. I only recommend this place for the evening if you are trying to impress someone or on a date, otherwise prepare your wallet to pay over 40,000 KRW.
If you want to get something tasty and not pricey at all I recommend heading here for lunch which is anytime before 2:00 PM. You can get lunch dishes like cold noodles, kimchi beef stew, and my all time favorite the beef tartar bibimbap for only 11,000 KRW. It is a bargain and the beef is so tender that I didn’t even have to chew.
Address:
Teong & Groove Joint
7 Bogwang-ro 60-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/GmCm0LsA
Itaewon World Food Street
Located behind the Hamilton Hotel and in an alley way behind Itaewon Street you will find the World Food Street. Itaewon World Food Street features cuisines from more than 30 countries around the world from Asia, America, and Europe. It is one of the most crowded and popular areas in Itaewon because you can eat so many different types of food. If you are in the mood for any type of cuisine you are definitely going to find it here.
Address:
Itaewon World Food Street
Itaewon-dong Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/FPTY9R9a
Locations Away from Itaewon Street:
Toy Story Pop Up Shop & Cafe
From June to October 2019, Disney have opened up a Toy Story themed Pop Up Shop and Cafe for visitors to enjoy. Located on top of a hill near a church in Itaewon, the toy story cafe brings all of your favorite characters from the films and displays them within the cafe. You can also find a variety of Toy Story merchandise to purchase, take photos with all of the various items and even grab a cup of coffee or non-alcoholic drink and desert.
The house gets very crowded on the weekends and sometimes on the weekdays. I recommend going during the afternoon or evening on weekdays because it isn’t as crowded.
Address:
Toy House
17 Hoenamu-ro 6-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/xOs8qi8i
Itaewon Antique Furniture Street
Itaewon Antique Furniture Street is the first place in Korea to sell antique furniture and other goods, dating back to the 1960’s. During the 60’s American soldiers would put out their furniture and sell them on this street before heading home and this led to the streets development.
Address:
Itaewon Antique Furniture Street
Itaewon-dong Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/x8TfSR8J
The Secret Cafes of Itaewon
Itaewon is known to be the most diverse and international section of Seoul. But did you know that the area is home to many great cafe and coffee shops. All of these cafe’s have something in common and that is that they are located in places away from the crowded streets and the taste is worth the trip.
Hell Cafe Roasters
A secret coffee shop a little outside of Itaewon and at the end of Antique Furniture Street, Hell Cafe Roasters has some of the smoothest and balanced coffee around. They also have some of the most renowned baristas in South Korea who have won multiple awards.
It is recommended to get their most popular coffees which are the Hell Drip or Classic Cappuccino. When I visited I got a vanilla latte which was very good, frothy and tasty. Did I also mention that the prices here are great, for about 4,000–6,000 KRW you can get a cup of coffee. Compared to places like Starbucks, that’s a great deal.
Address:
Hell Cafe Roasters
76 Bogwang-ro Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/FTVlovJA
Champ Coffee Roasters
Another hidden and renowned coffee shop in Itaewon, Champ Coffee Roasters is another go to spot to get a great cup of coffee. Their coffee shop is very small, so it might be difficult to find an open seat inside, but you can always take it to go. Come here and get the popular flat white coffee along with their delicious cookies.
Address:
Champ Coffee 2nd Jageopsil
24 Noksapyeong-daero 26ga-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/GMXGL1zk
And Coffee Lab
Yet another hard to find coffee shop. And Coffee Lab differentiates itself from the other two coffee shops with its delicious desserts. Grab a latte and their choose one of their delicious tarts to try.
Address:
And Coffee Lab
74 Itaewon-ro 54-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul
http://naver.me/xj6aOpbe
There are so many places to explore within Itaewon and a great nightlife scene. But these are some of the places that stand out the most. As always, we hope you enjoy this guide to the Itaewon area of Seoul.
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