Jangwidong Yuseong Jip (장위동유성집) is located 200m away from Myeongdong Station, this restaurant specializes in beef sirloin grilled over charcoal. It is famous for its affordable prices and great tasting menu, which satisfies both locals and travelers. Spacious facilities (about 165 m²) and a comfortable atmosphere have also added to the establishment’s popularity. English service is available.
Jongno is home to a number of famous haejangguk restaurants, and Cheongjinok (청진옥) is considered the forerunner among them. Opened in 1937, the restaurant has been run by three generations of the same family. Beef bones are simmered for more than 24 hours to make a rich broth, and soybean paste is added to neutralize the meaty odor. Ingredients added to the broth include various vegetables, clotted beef blood, beef intestines, and rice. Always crowded, Cheongjinok is open 24 hours a day.
The Gam Wine Tunnel opened its doors in 2006 in Songgeum-ri, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do and is the world’s FIRST persimmon wine cellar!
The Wine Tunnel is the perfect place for aging persimmon wine, which is made by the process of fermenting seedless persimmons, a local specialty of Cheongdo. The tunnel has become increasingly popular due to its scenic location, elegant inside atmosphere, and its beautiful surrounding orchards. At the tunnel, group tourists can participate in a number of programs such as making their own wine or picking persimmons. For the individual traveler, there are exhibitions, wine sampling, a café, and a wine market.
The tunnel, located in the middle of a mountain, stays at a temperature of 15 Celsius with 60~70% humidity all year round, making it a naturally refreshing place to visit during the summer. The tunnel was originally called “Namseonghyeon Tunnel” and was built back in 1898 during the Joseon Dynasty. The wine cellar as we know it today was created a hundred years ago when persimmon growers put red bricks on the ceiling of the tunnel and reinforced the tunnel walls with natural stone, turning the railroad tunnel into a great wine cellar and unique tourist attraction!
Seokparang is a restaurant built from the sarangchae, or meeting room, of Heungseon Daewongun’s byeoljang (villa) who was the father of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty. Upon entering the main gate, gardens created with the method used in the late Joseon period and three traditional houses (hanok) can be seen. The royal cuisine served is comprised of strictly selected ingredient and traditional hand-made paste to show the chefs' passion for their dishes. Also, traditional liquors made by craftsmen throughout the nation are available to enjoy.
Kaya Hotel is an economic hotel near the 8th United States Army Base in Yongsan-gu. It’s only ten minutes from famous sites such as the War Memorial of Korea, Itaewon, Namdaemun, Myeong-dong, Namsan Mountain, the National Museum of Korea, and Yeouinaru. The hotel is popular among both locals and tourists because of its convenient location.The 8-story hotel has 52 guestrooms, as well as a range of subsidiary facilities including a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, and sports massage parlor.
With four floors, Namsan Donboseong is the largest Chinese restaurant in Myeong-dong. It’s a great place for group dining since it has separate rooms in addition to the main hall. It serves a wide variety of course meals as well as simple lunch specials.
- It’s located near Namsan Hiking Trail, Namdaemun Market, and Myeong-dong.
Beautiplex offers diverse brands from both Korea and abroad. Main brands include Isaknox, Sooryehan, Cathycat, Vonin (men's cosmetic brand), Laha, Carezone, Beyond, Nansb. The last four brands can only be purchased at Beautyplex. Customers can get their skin diagnosed by professional shop assistants.
In an effort to promote the majesty and grace of Korean royal culture and present a major traditional ceremony to the public, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosts a reenactment of the royal wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Queen Min in the spring and fall every year.
The reenactment will take place at Unhyeongung Palace, the original site of the royal wedding ceremony on March 21, 1866, for emperor Gojong and his empress Myeongseong. Based on thorough historical research and consultation by the palace’s counsel panel, the event is organized to commemorate the significance of Korean history and to shed some new light on a fading traditional culture.
Event Programs: Garye in Korean refers to 1) a royal wedding or enthronement of the king; 2) a wedding or formal installation of a crown prince or his eldest son, or the prince imperial or his son. Because it is a major national ceremony, it is not uncommon for thousands of people to be mobilized during several months just for this event. Also, because of the strict and complex procedures and formalities of Joseon-Dynasty royal weddings, the procedures were established according to a set of regulations.
In all traditional Korean weddings, the groom customarily visited the bride’s house and brings her to his home. The same applied to the king. However, because common houses were limited in space, royal weddings were held at Byeolgung, known as detached palaces. For King Gojong and Queen Min, Unhyeongung Palace was used as the Byeolgung. The reenactment of the wedding starts with Eoga Haengnyeol, a royal procession led by a banner emblazoned with the king’s coat of arms, the yellow dragon. Following the coat-of-arms banner was the five directions banner and other traditional royal trappings.
Then followed the Bisuchaeg Uisik, or the formal installation of Min as the queen, and the Chinyeong, in which King Gojong takes her as the queen. The wedding reenactment lasts for two hours.
Major Highlights: This ceremony is an exact reenactment of the royal wedding ceremony of Joseon's imperial family. It offers a great opportunity to see royal costumes and the lifestyle of Joseon dynasty. The traditional royal costumes are spectacular and elegant, and the wedding displays such regal and grandeur distinction. After the ceremony, there is a photo session, so don’t forget to bring a camera.
* The wedding ceremony is held in Spring (April or May) and Fall (September or October).
Opened in 1999, L'amitié is a French boutique restaurant, serving French cuisine made from the finest Korean ingredients for a perfect fusion of two cultures and tastes.
Beef at Bon Suwon Galbi is sliced thin against the grain and marinated in a sauce made of several dozen ingredients for more than 24 hours. Even the perfect presentation of this tender beat hints of its extraordinary taste. Though the meat is definitely the main dish, another specialty of this restaurant is the soybean paste stew made of homemade soybean paste, which is made from homegrown beans.