What To Eat In Ikseondong, Seoul Where You can feel the Newtro(New+Retro)
Eunyeong Kwon
Have you ever hear of the area named “Ikseondong” in Seoul? Ikseondong has been really popular among young Koreans for several years now. That place is known for a “newtro” area, where old Korean-style buildings and modern buildings co-exist. “Newtro” means a popular trend that has been sweeping throughout South Korea, specified by a reinterpretation of vintage and retro styles. Seen throughout style, interiors, and food, Newtro might be analyzed as Korea’s own variation of hipster culture. Using the old trend of their moms’ and dads’ generation, Korean youngsters are discovering and reinterpreting a vintage culture. Like most of the areas which rapidly gaining popularity in Seoul, there are many restaurants and cafes that have only recently opened in Ikseondong. It will be hard for foreign tourists to tell which place is delicious in Ikseondong because most of the places look quite similar. Personally, I have seen so many restaurants in Ikseondong that serve not that tasty, yet needlessly expensive foods. I would like to introduce you to some restaurants in Ikseondong that are actually popular among local Koreans.
Ojugine 156, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Business Hours: 11:30 – 22:00(Sunday Off) Break Time: 15:00 – 16:00(Weekdays)
This place is famous for spicy chicken soup(or stew?). This Korean cuisine is made with chicken, garlic, and some vegetable!Prices differ according to the size of chicken soup. Just for your reference; M(2 ppl) 24,000 won, L(3~4 ppl) 30,000 won, XL(5 ppl) 36,000 won. If you eat a lot or less this might change, of course, lolWe call this cuisine a thief for Soju(Korean liquor)You can add various noodles into the soup! Udon, Ramyun, or Korean-style-cut noodles!Eat the noodles first, and simmer the soup for a bit more to eat more deliciously.And, of course, you have to finish the meal with fried rice that was made with the rest of the soup you had!!
Yankees Burger 133-2, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Business Hours: 11:00 – 21:30 Break Time: 15:00 – 16:30(Weekdays)
This tiny burger place is one of the best burger places in Seoul! It’s a branch of the one located in Mullae(Seoul).Actually, hamburger is my favorite foods. Seriously, I can eat only hamburgers 3 times a day. And I admit, their burger is GOOD.Pair with draft beer and fries!!Their mushroom burger is really good. Burgers are not cheap($12~$14 for set menu), but taste really good. There are so many “Not Cheap Not Tasty” restaurants in this area, so please try!Hawaiian burger, also!Chillis!
Changhwadang 174, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Business Hours: 11:30 – 21:00 Break Time: 15:30 – 17:00(Weekdays)
This restaurant has great dumplings and Korean small foods like noodles and ddeokbokki! This place is so famous that there’s always a long line waiting for the entrance.The table looks a bit awkward for you, doesn’t it? It’s a bit young to call it traditional but Korean people used this in early 90s.Because it doesn’t take much time to cook the cuisine, the waiting line will be getting shorter quite fast.You can fully enjoy Korean cuisine less than $20. And you can also enjoy some “newtro” vibe in Ikseondong!
