Itaewon is a unique district in Seoul . It is known by traditional cuisine restaurants, trendy shops , atmospheric bars and night clubs. It is mostly popular among foreigners. Thats why it is always full of people from different nationalities and cultures. Seoul Government designated this street as one of the first special tourism district in order to highlight it as a place for both locals and tourists. So everyone could enjoy a diversity of culture, shopping, and entertainment experiences. It is the best place to make new friends, try many exotic food features cuisine from around world. Secondly it is a good place explore interesting cultures without even leaving the country. Thirdly, itโs the right place that can cater foreigners who miss their home country.
How to get there
Itaewon is in the middle of Yongsan-gu and borders with north of the Han River and south of Myoeng-dong. It is close to Namsan Tower, Seoul Station, Myeong-dong shop street. The main entertainment street of thisdistrict is served by Seoul Subway Line 6 via Itaewon, Noksapyeong and Hanganjin stations. The easiest way to get there is by subway line number 6. Take off the Itaewon station stop or in Korean ์ดํ์์ญ.
Itaewon Class
Recently this district became worldwide popular after the Netflix Korean dorama called ยซItaewon Classยป . It is based on the webtoon of the same name. Some of this iconic tv dorama shooting locations are in Itaewon. The main shooting locations of this iconic drama are easy to find there and quite popular. For example, the restaurant appears as the restaurant โDanbamโ . Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) opens it after seven years of high sea fishing. It is a gopchang (tripe) restaurant. It was opened in 2018 and located in Seoulโs neighborhood of Itaewon.
Address: 57 Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
International Resraurants
If youโre looking for a taste of home while visiting Seoul, this is the place to be. Dozens of restaurants are behind Hamilton Hotel. Most of them are with authentic cuisine from countries like Australia, Germany, Mexico, India, Greece, France, Pakistan, and more. One of my favorite restaurants are the Halal restaurants of turkish cuisine.They serve traditional chicken of beef kebabs , brick oven pide, kavurma, turkish coffee and baklavas.For example, ยซThe King Kebabยป restaurant is a good place . It has beautiful interior and nice atmosphere. It also serves delicious set of kebabs and beverages for proper price.
Address: 185, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Vegetarian restaurant
No matter you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just searching for plant-based dining options, Itaewon is the best place for you. There is a restaurant called the ยซPlantยป. Plant is a famous all-vegan restaurant that serve large variety of fresh baked goods, hand-made burgers, salads, pastas and organic beverages followed by indulgent desserts like red velvet cake and banana muffins.
Address: Itaewon-dong 130-43 2F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Night Life
Itaewon at night becomes very different with foreigner-friendly bars, pubs, wine bars, hip-hop clubs, salsa clubs, lounges and cafes. Therefore it is considered be the most popular area of Seoul for bars and clubs other than Hongdae. Every weekend nights starting from the Friday anyone can enjoy the parties with exciting atmosphere and various types of cocktails. Itaewon is one of the most popular districts for people looking for a fun night with friends or to make new ones. There are nightclubs and bars for every type of music and style.
Shopping
Another one of Itaewonโs feature is that Itaewon typically refers to the street full of stores, fashion shops specialize in various imported clothes, leather goods and fur goods, handbags, shoes, and antique furniture. It is usually hard to find western size clothes in Korea .However fortunately in Itaewon there are many shops that offer clothes of different sizes. Additionally experienced tailors of Itaewon street can create customized clothings too.
Yet, Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous asian country in the world. But it is hard to tell that walking down the streets of Itaewon. Located in the center of Seoul, Itaewon is home for the majority of expats in Korea, making Itaewon a mini separate society of cultures and religions from all over the world.
