Hip & newtro
Ikseon-dong Hanok Street
익선동 한옥거리
Seoul's oldest hanok maze, gone newtro
Seoul's oldest hanok village, laid out in the early 1920s and still packed with over 100 tiled-roof houses on narrow, maze-like lanes. The old homes have been reworked into cafes, restaurants, and shops, so you get century-old brickwork and telephone poles right next to the city's skyscrapers. Go for the newtro contrast: tradition and modern hip layered on the same block.
What to see & do
Maze of restored hanok Wander narrow lanes where each old house hides a different cafe, restaurant, or shop.
Newtro contrast Century-old tiled roofs and red brick sit right against Seoul's downtown skyline.
Supyo-ro 28-gil The main lane where most of the well-known spots are clustered.
Nak-won railroad A short stretch of disused train track runs through the alley to a hanok cafe's front yard.
Eat & do here
- Art Monster아트몬스터 Award-winning craft beer brewery set inside a renovated hanok. Website
- Teafference Seoul티퍼런스서울 Concept store for a premium purple-tea and skincare brand, with a gallery and cafe on the ground floor, a salon above, and a rooftop overlooking Ikseon-dong. Website
- Proust프루스트 Perfumer-run scent shop and tea cafe offering perfume, diffuser, and candle classes; the bottled milk tea is the pick. Instagram
- Cheese Industry치즈인더스트리 Farm-themed cheese cafe in a converted hanok, stacked with cheesecakes and baked goods. Instagram
- Soha Saltpond소하염전 Salt-pond-themed cafe known for its range of salt breads, from classic to corn, basil tomato, and caramel. Instagram
- Nak-won낙원역 Hanok cafe at the end of a disused railroad track; go for the Maple Cream Coffee or Peanut Cream Latte. Instagram
Source: Korea Tourism Organization, “Korean Streets & Alleys” (2024). Rewritten for DealSeoul; details may have changed since 2024, confirm hours and openings before you go.
