Ikseon-dong, Seoul (익선동)


I found my new favourite neighbourhood in Seoul - Ikseon-dong (익선동). This place is so charming and quaint I want to have tea there everyday. Okay, probably not the best image I posted above but this is an actual street with shops on the left and somebody's home on the right. The setting is both modern yet traditional at the same time.

Not only is this my new favourite neighbourhood, I have to say that the Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (traditional houses) is so much better than the over-rated Bukchon Hanok Village. Somehow Bukchon and Samcheong-dong, the shops and restaurants there, are too pretentious for me. At Ikseon-dong, I felt like everything was more natural and organic. I don't know why.

I did not know this place even existed (and I bet my Korean bf doesn't know either) and I thought I only came here for famous pancakes.


This is Dong Baek (동백양과점) and they are famous for their souffle pancakes. I wanted to try the very popular strawberry pancakes but since strawberries are not really in season, they didn't have good supplies that day so I tried the black tea version and it was amazing! I also wanted to try the strawberry tea but settled for cold brew instead.



The interior is like a traditional English tea shop with service staff wearing shirt, pants and suspenders. The place is not huge so it's nice to not have too many people in the room at one time.


TIP: If you can, go on a weekday before 12pm. I got there around 11.45am and did not have to wait for seats. By the time I left at 1.30pm, the queue was getting really long, at least 10 couples/groups waiting in line.

There were so many interesting things, cafes, restaurants, shops in the area. I really enjoyed walking along the alleys and just exploring.







I definitely want to visit again when the weather is cooler later this year and show more pictures of this charming little neighbourhood :)

How to get there?

Use Naver Map, enter Dongbaek Bakery or 동백양과점 and follow the instructions, or:

1. Take the subway to Jongno 3-ga station (Line 1, 3 or 5)
2. Get out of the station at exit 4
3. Cross the street and walk straight all the way and you will start seeing the traditional houses, Dongbaek and the many cafes and shops Ikseon-dong has to offer :)


UPDATE 13 November 2018: I finally got to try the famous strawberry souffle pancakes from Dongbaek! Plus, explored a bit more and had traditional Korean tea. Read it here.

9 comments:

Zuzanna Jędra said...

Amazing place :)
Mój blog-klik

Književni zaljubljenik said...

Oh wow!! Fantastic photos dear! I love this post! ^^
Have a nice weekend! xx

Shopping time!

Dressed With Soul said...

Really a super cute new neighbourhood and I like also your look!
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Do you want to follow each other?
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place, it looks so peaceful!
I'm totally in love with your blog, I'm following you (:

CM | XIII.

Jovana Tomic said...

This post is so cute and beautiful. I like your outfit... kisses

Follow for follow? <3

http://www.ioannesstyle.com/

Mica said...

Your photos look beautiful, what a nice place to visit! we have nothing like that here in Brisbane!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! It was so cold here, winter has really hit!

Away From The Blue Blog

Jovana Tomic said...


Tnx for visit and follow. I am follow you back <3

http://www.ioannesstyle.com/

Dressed With Soul said...

I follow you now, it would be great if you follow me back.
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com

Cielo said...

I wasn't able to visit this when I went to Seoul. The place looks beautiful and would like to come there once I come back to Seoul. Thanks for sharing this. :)


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