I first visited Ikseon Dong two years ago on my previous trip to Seoul. This time, when I revisited the place, it has transformed itself into the hippest Hanok neighbourhood. In the rapidly gentrifying hankok village of Ikseon Dong, the physical space is revitalised to include vintage accessories shops, a series of trendy cafes and eateries and many photo opportunity spots (I guess it must be the overall vibes that the neighbourhood exudes, every photo taken here turns out to be a good photo here hehe).
There are too many good cafes and food places that a single trip down to Ikseon Dong is not possible to visit them all.
1. Madang Flower Cafe 카페 마당공간
It is hard to miss Madang Flower Cafe as the cafe's shopfront is adorned with rows of flowers and gifts. Especially popular amongst ladies who want to capture photos of the place. If baby's breaths are your thing, you will surely find this cafe up your alley as the interiors of the cafes are filled with rows of dyed versions of them.
It will be nice to be surrounded by the many blooms while having a cuppa with your girlfriends. We didn't manage to try their floral based drinks or desserts while we were there this time, as they had a minimum order of a drink per person (as most of the cafes and shops in Ikseon Dong area do), but the owners were nice enough to snap some pictures of the cafe. The flowers do add a nice rustic touch to the hanok building don't they?
Madang Flower Cafe 카페 마당공간
Address:33-12 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours:7:30-24:00
2. Zio Cucina 지오쿠치나
Located right next to Madang Flower Cafe is this lovely Italian restaurant with really long queues. Koreans love their cheeses and Italian fare and personally I feel that Seoul offers some of the best Italian cuisine.
It was so good that we had our lunches here twice in a row to try out their different dishes. We had the Gamberi Rose (al dente pasta served in a pink sauce with prawns), Manzo Risotto (truffle & tenderloin risotto) , Zio Cucina ( Conchiglie shells served in a spicy cream sauce with prawns and mushrooms) and their oven fired pizzas. Zio Cucina features their housemade pink pickles too.
Even though we were there during the weekdays, the place was packed especially with Korean ladies who seemed to have taken a day off to enjoy delicious Italian fare with their girlfriends. For an authentic Italian experience in a beautiful setting, try Zio Cucina for their generous portion of Italian grub.
Zio Cucina 지오쿠치나
Address:33-11 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. (Tteul meal) Bakery
Located towards the end of the lane of restaurants at Ikseon Dong, we chanced upon this little bakery and I love the wooden furnishings and zen feel that it exudes.
Koreans must really love their breads. There were in fact quite a few bakeries in Ikeseon Dong alone. The bakes from this shop all look so enticing! We ended up walking away with their popular curry pan (Highly recommended! The outside was super crispy filled with a flavourful curry inside), lemon scones, an earl grey canele and also their rich toast. The loaf of toast was freshly baked and we had to carry it around with an open plastic bag to let it cool down. The toast had a rich buttery taste and a chewy Q texture.
Do note that if you will like to eat your bakes in the cafe, there is a minimum order of a drink per pax.
Tteul Meal Bakery
Address: 166-5 Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. Dongbaek Bakery 동백양과점
A vintage looking cafe that has long queues on most days, people flock to Dongbaek bakery for their famed souffle pancakes. I love how the beautifully adorned vintage interiors of the cafe makes you feel as if you are transported back in time, while having the luxury of tasting some very modern pancakes.
The waiting time for the famed strawberry souffle pancakes is about 30 minutes and they are pretty pricey at 18,000 won. If you are wondering is the wait and price for them worth it? The answer is yes! The souffle pancakes were super fluffy and cottony and the cream was such a delight to eat. It was one of the lightest and most refreshing cream. Through the open kitchen concept, you can also watch how the staff prepare the pancakes lovingly, each made to order. Also, when in Korea, strawberry anything can never go wrong. Korean strawberries are superior in their sweetness and juiciness.
Dongbaek Bakery 동백양과점
Address:33-12 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours:10:00-23:00
5. SEOUL Coffee 서울커피
Opened since 2017, Seoul Coffee has quickly became one of the must visit cafes in Ikseon Dong. Remodelled into a hip cafe while retaining its old school facade, the insides of Seoul Coffee is bathed in sunlight thanks to its glass ceilings. The contemporary light fittings and order counters provide a nice contrast with the setting.
Loved how the beauty of the old hanok feel of this cafe blends in so nicely with a modern twist to the desserts and drinks that they serve. Try the baked goods - the popular charcoal bun with slabs of cold butter and red bean filling. We had a iced latte as well as their drip coffee. My friend liked their blend so much that she returned to buy a few packets of their coffee powder back as gifts for loved ones.
On the counter are also what appears to be bars of soap but they are actually ice cream blocks. We ordered the 'egg cracker' flavoured one to try for fun and it tasted like a cold custard cream.
We had a chance to sit inside this hole in a wall while having our coffees and bread. It was great fun to have conversations in it while enjoying our afternoon coffee. Everything in this understated space feels curated. Would highly recommend coffee aficionados to make a trip to Seoul Coffee for some really good beans and be immersed in an experience where the new meets the old.
Seoul Coffee
Address:166-31 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours:12:00-22:30
Website: http://www.seoulcoffee.co.kr/
6. The Summer
How beautiful is this place? The cafe's stunning design draws your attention to it through its full glass doors. The stark all-white facade reminiscent of places in Bali/ Thailand paired beautifully with the wooden beams of the traditional Hanok. It is super interesting to see summer vibes being fitted into the traditional Hanok setting.
The Summer has their own indoor pool feature too, which makes a nice spot for many photo ops. Get their watermelon or mango shaved ice or slushies for that tropical vibe while you sit and admire the beautiful surroundings. This resort themed cafe will surely make you feel like you are on a perfect summer vacation.
The Summer
Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
7. Chang Hwa Dang 창화당
One of the most popular spots in Ikseon Dong, it is easy to spot Chang Hwa Dang due to its location as well as its snaking queues outside.
It was my second time having mandus from this place. In my previous trip to Seoul, I first found out about this small shop from Song Hye Kyo's Instagram and she posted that it was good. If it's good for her, it must be good haha. I've always loved her since her drama 'Full House'.
We ordered the assorted platter of fried dumplings - a medley of shrimps, meat and veggies with korean glass noodles, meat and kimchi and the green chilli pepper dumplings. Crispy and oily on the outside, they are great when paired with a glass of beer. The steamed mandus were juicy and generous with its pork and chives fillings. Tried the Bibimyeon too and loved the spiciness and chewy texture of it. It is a must have during hot summer days.
The inside of the shop is really small and squeezy and usually packed with people. You will have to write your name on the queue list outside the shop and wait for your turn to be called out. There was more than 20 names in front of us, but the queue moved pretty quickly. You can check out the nearby shops where they sell many small trinkets or have a photo or two under this very pretty rose tree (on the left turn of the shop) while you wait for your turn.
Chang Hwa Dang 창화당
Address: 23 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm & 4-9.30pm /Sat & Sun 11.30am-9.30pm
Seoul, Korea
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