Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Discover Retro Charm at JOYANGBANGJIK Café: A Unique Incheon Experience JOYANGBANGJIK Café: A Blend of History and Modern Art When planning your trip to Incheon, South Korea, one must-visit destination is JOYANGBANGJIK Café, located on Ganghwa Island. This extraordinary café was originally established in 1933 as the first rayon factory in Ganghwa. Over time, as the textile industry in the region declined, the factory fell into disrepair. However, it has since been brilliantly transformed into a spacious and stylish café, preserving the historical essence while integrating modern aesthetics. Historical Transformation The original building of JOYANGBANGJIK, which once lay abandoned, has been revitalized into a grand café. The dilapidated walls have been converted into an impressive art museum and movie theater. The long workbenches that once served the factory workers have been repurposed as coffee tables. The space, once bustling with machines and workers, is now adorned with antiques from China and Europe. Unique Décor and Atmosphere The décor of JOYANGBANGJIK Café is one of its most striking features. British-made doors with broken windows, round mirrors from old Czech trains, and Taiyaki machines that were used every winter are strategically placed as if they were always part of the building. This thoughtful arrangement allows the café to retain the essence of its historical past. The expansive factory site and the building's framework, spanning over 990 square meters (approximately 300 pyeong), have been preserved, adding to the café’s unique ambiance. Menu and Offerings JOYANGBANGJIK Café offers a wide range of beverages and cakes, ensuring there is something for everyone. Some of the standout menu items include: - Americano - Coconut Latte - Blueberry Hibiscus Tea - Mugwort Latte - Lemonade - Honey Ginger Tea Operating Hours - Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last order at 7:20 PM) - Weekends and Holidays: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:20 PM) Location and Additional Information JOYANGBANGJIK Café is located at 12, Hangnam Mokdo 5-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. If you are using public transportation, you can take a bus from Ganghwa Terminal Station and get off at the "Girls' High School Entrance" stop, followed by a short walk of 195 meters. Final Thoughts JOYANGBANGJIK Café is a perfect blend of history and modernity, offering a unique and memorable experience for visitors. The café not only provides a place to relax and enjoy delicious beverages but also allows you to immerse yourself in a piece of Korea’s industrial heritage. When visiting Incheon, make sure to include this one-of-a-kind café in your itinerary to enjoy its retro charm and artistic ambiance.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Nobizib is a specialty restaurant featuring Galbi (marinated and grilled beef ribs). A combination of the restaurant’s own special sauce, pure bronze gridiron, and oak tree charcoal creates a unique taste beloved by visitors and locals alike. The spicy galbi jjim (braised beef ribs) is another restaurant specialty.Located at the entrance of Myeongdong, Nobizib is easily accessible via public transportation and is frequented by Japanese tourists (thanks to the restaurant’s exposure in tour guidebooks and magazines in Japan).


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Naneungi is a restaurant specializing in mushroom cuisine. Using exquisite and nutritious neungi mushrooms, Naneungi is dedicated to serving delicious health food to visitors.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Yonggeumok's specialized stew includes tofu, fried tofu, spring onion, onion, oyster mushroom, tree ear mushroom, and other condiments added to broth boiled with lamb and its intestines overnight. Pre-cooked loaches are added in the end, creating a spicy yet savory flavor with chewy texture (loaches can be ground upon request). The restaurant serves Gyeongsang-do style, Jeolla-do style and Seoul-style chueo tang (loach stew).    


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

Pohang Jukdo Market first started as a small gathering of local vendors who sold their wares at the large fields of reeds in Pohang Inner Harbor. Now, over five decades later, the market has become one of the largest traditional markets in the Gyeongsangbuk-do area (on the east coast). Along with the Pohang Jukdo Market, visitors will also find the Jukdo Fish Market, only 500m away from Ogeori (the heart of Pohang). The largest open-run market in the east, the seafood wholesale market is made up of 200 raw fish stores, offering the area’s best catches. Nearby restaurants sell quality sashimi dishes at incredibly low prices and in the wintertime visitors can get a taste of Gwamegi, a local specialty of the Pohang area.


Busan(Dong-gu)

Located in the center of the Beomildong area, the New Life Tourist Hotel provides various services and subsidiary facilities such as a fitness center and coffee shop.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Artist Lee Jung Seop is known for his paintings, reminicent of Fauvism, including one called “Bull.” During the Korean War, he spent a year in as a war refugee Seogwipo with his Japanese wife and two sons in a small leased house, wherre he produced his masterpieces.Although the stay was temporary it was one of the happiest times for him and certainly, the most productive. Recognizing his importance, Seogwipo City purchased the house, restored it to its original form and also created the Lee Joong Seop Memorial Hall. The street in front of his house, which he walked day and night, was renamed Lee Joong Seop Street. Lee Joong Seop Gallery is just behind the restored house. The gallery houses over 8 masterpieces by Lee Joong Seop and 52 works by modern Korean painters that were donated to Seogwipo City by Lee Ho-jae (CEO of Gana Art). Lee Joong Seop Art Festival is held every September along with seminars on him. Special Exhibition Hall is available for leasing. 


Busan(Jung-gu)

Busan Tower, located in Yongdusan Park, is one of the main symbols of Busan. The top of the tower is modeled after the baldaquin of Dabotap Pagoda in Gyeonju's Bulguksa Temple. Beloved by citizens of Busan and tourists alike, the tower offers a stunning views during the day and at night.Busan Tower Seyang is on ground floor of this famous landmark. It sells hand-made products including keychains, wallets, mother-of-pearl business card cases, mask, frames, and miniature china and dolls, which are quite popular among tourists.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

NANTA is a top non-verbal cooking performance show about four chefs who must prepare a wedding banquet in just one hour. The plot is depicted through various genres of performances, including percussion that uses kitchen utensils to make beats based on traditional rhythms of samulnori (traditional percussion quartet). The entire show has no spoken dialogue, yet plenty of comedy and romance, too. Meanwhile, since its debut in October 1997, NANTA (also known as Cookin') has earned international acclaim, being staged on Broadway and at other famous venues worldwide.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Pork belly, a cut that is greatly beloved by people in Korea, is a main staple of Korean barbeque. In Korean dramas, it’s very common to see people enjoying samgyeopsal with soju and has become an almost iconic part of Korean food culture. Wrapping the meat with rice, garlic, and ssamjang (bean paste) in lettuce is a popular way to eat samgyeopsal. The restaurant shown in the video is Ssangdaepo Restaurant located at 291, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.