Wonseo-Dong

Wonseo-Dong lives in the shadows of the popular Bukcheon Hanok Village and Ikseon-Dong. Wonseo Dong means “West of the Garden” due to it’s location right across from the wall of ChangDeokGung. To get there just type in Burger Bang and it should take you to the start of Wonseo Dong.

This is an extremely tight neighborhood with all the residents living together as one family. If you haven’t eaten lunch go to Burger Bang which serves high quality American burgers (for when you get homesick). I got the original and it was pretty solid. Make sure to get a seat on the second floor for the best view and also make sure to order a Jarritos.
Most places here are operated by people who want to get away from the loud and crowded parts of Seoul, creating their works of art in peace and in community. As a result you’ll find a lot of design firms, craft makers, and specialty cafes. The first of which you want to go to is Dongnae Coffee. It’s mission is in the name — putting people before the coffee (while not sacrificing the quality of the latter). Everyone in the neighborhood goes here and knows the owner. It’s bright and cozy atmosphere is perfect for reading or having a quick catch-up with old friends. Their ades are filled with fresh berries and peaches, mixed inwith a handmade wooden spoon.


Other places that you might want to check out don’t need directions because the entire neighborhood is along one road. So just look to your left and right as you keep walking and you’ll find weird boutiques that sell retro nic-nacs, colorful handbags, hand-crafted leather bags, and beautiful ceramic birds. To guide you, look for:
Fibreno (a hand bag store that come in a variety of bright colors).

Insa Art Space — if open, check out the exhibit, which changes often; it took me awhile to understand the art but nevertheless very interesting.
Muchness — handmade crafts made by Lee Jin-Kyoung, elder sister or Dongnae Coffee’s Owner.
Rye Ceramics Work Studio — this place holds a special place for me because the owner Kim Myung Rye who reminded me of my mom…and also because I had a ceramic class date here hehe. Her and other store owners take turns taking care of a neighborhood dog called 응기 so if you’re lucky he might be there. Kim is extremely warm and friendly so take a good look around and mention my name if you go.



.TXT Coffee — if you love coffee or just love aesthetics please go here. It’s near the end of the road along the corner, which can only fill about 6 people. It is owned by a rather serious ahjussi who’s dedication and meticulousness to coffee is enlightening. Ordering is a little tricky as you need to check your order off on a deposit slip style piece of paper, but as you’ll see, the owner is a detailed man.



French Book Reading Place — Okay I don’t really know what this place is called but if you see this house (the photo where my friend is standing in front) and a red sign on the ground that says something about reading then go down to the basement and enter the reading room. The reading room is a collective of multiple people who take turns running the room. Half the books inside are in French and the woman there was French to Korean translator. I can’t read Korean or French so I had a nice talk with the woman and received a map of Wonseo Dong that she drew herself.


Of course there are more places that I either don’t know the name to or haven’t been to, but overall, make sure to take things slow. This neighborhood functions through it’s community who are dedicated to their craft through patience and diligence, while also being open to conversation about who they are and what they do.
Once it’s night you can walk down 15 minutes to Ikseon dong and go to the modern cafés and stores that fill the narrow roads of the neighborhood.
