Insadong: a Mecca of traditional culture

THE ORIGINAL ESSAY

Time flies in Insadong with the quaint assortment of street vendors lining the street; impromptu performances by street musicians starting without notice; small stores and galleries that are old-fashioned but friendly; and traditional restaurants and teahouses everywhere. Foreign travelers find the atmosphere exciting as they walk into Korea’s past.

No visitor to Korea should miss the traditional flavors of Insadong. Many foreigners call Insadong’s main lane ‘Mary's Alley’, denoting a street scattered with many things. Ubiquitous access to Korea’s traditional culture through such things as hanbok, hanok, and hanji (traditional Korean paper) are abundant here as well as antiques and handcrafted products. This is why Insadong is often referred to as a cultural district.

Visit Insadong on Sundays when access by cars is prohibited and the entire street turns into a stage for performances. One such performance has become a main attraction. People dressed as police of the Joseon Dynasty appear on the street at 5pm on Sundays. Clad in traditional costumes and armed with spears and swords, they fight off a mock robbery. Also the Naminsamadang performance site holds various events every weekend such as Korean traditional wedding ceremonies.

You can relieve your hunger at cheap but tasty restaurants lining the small alleys diverging from the main street: nutritional Japanese-style rice streamed with other ingredients in an iron pot; traditional Korean table d’hote accompanied by plentiful side dishes at affordable prices; dumplings not to be missed; and much more. Finally, Gangjeong, traditional glutinous rice crackers frizzled in oil, cooked by ‘Mr. Traditional Gangjeong’ who now seems to be a celebrity himself, makes a perfect dessert.

In addition, such attractions as Gyeongin Museum and Ssamziegil complex await your visit. Gyeongin Museum combines a traditional house, art museum, and teahouse with harmony rivaling an Oriental painting. Ssamziegil complex seems to soar into the sky with its unique design housing shops, restaurants, and a gallery.

From Peter’s supplied Seoul guidebook introduction, chapter 8. Original observations and historical framing are retained. PDF line-break and spacing repairs are recorded separately from factual updates. Guidebook photography and venue directories are not republished.