Itaewon
4
About
Itaewon is one of the most lively neighborhoods in Seoul, renowned for its trendy restaurants, cool bars, and lively nightlife scene. Both locals and travelers flock to the area, and for good reason. It's conveniently situated near the subway, making it an easy stop after visiting the nearby War Memorial during the day. Stroll around and check out the quirky shops, cafes, and adorable character shops, ideal for taking photos. In the evening, Itaewon transforms into a bustling hotspot for the city's party-goers. For a complete experience, be sure to hit all the best spots on a pub crawl of Seoul. – Tripadvisor
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The area
Neighborhood: Itaewon
Neighboring the immense Yongsan American Garrison, Itaewon was once shunned by locals as a seedy, red light district. But within the past few years, Itaewon and its surrounding neighborhoods such as Kyunglidan and Haebangchong have undergone a major revival to quickly become one of Seoul’s hottest areas. Here, trendy international restaurants dot the area alongside hip lounge bars and some of Seoul’s hottest club venues. After dark, Itaewon comes into its own as one of Seoul’s top party scenes. The crowd is a fascinating patchwork of all backgrounds and identities, including a small but thriving Muslim community (centered on Korea’s sole mosque), the LGBT community (with a string of popular bars and clubs), and a wide range of ethnicities and cultures scattered around. Those seeking a quiet respite should head towards the eastern end, in Hannam-dong, which not only has one of Korea’s best art museums, the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, but plenty of mid-range to upscale restaurants and cafes.
How to get there
- Itaewon • 1 min walk
- Noksapyeong • 8 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
3,481 within 3 miles
Attractions
620 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- HengSingapore, Singapore3,736 contributionsHope the families find peace soonItaewon has a very cool and laid back vibe in the daytime. Streets are clean. Weather is good. We were enjoying a slow walk along the Main Street and alleys, shopping and chasing down scene from the drama itaewon class, when suddenly the air becomes somber. We realized we had stumbled into the alleys where the stampede occurred. Memorials were setup and monks are praying. Hope the affected families find peace soon.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten July 16, 2023
- wagg87Manly, Australia21 contributionsItaewon is a good place to crashGreat place for bars, cafes and restaurants. Head over to the Korean war museum which is about a 10min walk, it's free. Lots of nice back alley streets , antique streets have a few nice coffee places.Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten September 11, 2023
- John S2 contributionsStupendous SeoulWonderful. Possibly the most polite and friendly people I have ever met. Spotless streets. Incredible restaurants and street food. 175 floor Lotte tour,wow, and the DMZ Incredible. Great hotel. I thoroughly recommend.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 19, 2023
- MisterUserNameAtlanta, Georgia387 contributionsAlways fun to hangout and eat in ItaewonAlways fun to hangout and eat in Itaewon. Lots of good restaurants, bars, pubs, and street food. I usually go there on Friday and Saturday nights. Went there on a Monday with a friend, it was a slow night. A lot of places were closed around 10 pm. After bar hopping, nice to have eating options around 5 and 6 am, restaurants that are open all day.Visited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 4, 2023
- travelsuitBerlin, Germany334 contributionsGreat place except for ….Interesting neighborhood with a mix of communities from Moslems to expats mostly Americans and a strong LGBTPLUS presence Eclectic mix of architectural styles, the famous antique street and great coffee shops and eateries. The only downside are the young Americans supposedly native English speakers. In many places where they gather all you hear is a wave of people repeating the word 'like like like' not just a filler word but they repeat it after every third word spoken. Drove me nuts!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 20, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
599 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
245
Average
124
Poor
28
Terrible
8
MisterUserName
Atlanta, GA387 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Always fun to hangout and eat in Itaewon. Lots of good restaurants, bars, pubs, and street food.
I usually go there on Friday and Saturday nights. Went there on a Monday with a friend, it was a slow night. A lot of places were closed around 10 pm.
After bar hopping, nice to have eating options around 5 and 6 am, restaurants that are open all day.
I usually go there on Friday and Saturday nights. Went there on a Monday with a friend, it was a slow night. A lot of places were closed around 10 pm.
After bar hopping, nice to have eating options around 5 and 6 am, restaurants that are open all day.
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
2,501 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
I agree with one of the previous reviewers. You will either love or hate it! I have a lot of time in Seoul and Korea so splitting my time. This area is about nightlife as this is when it comes alive. Busy and loud at night with foreigners and locals. You will also find here more than any other area, an array of International fast food from doner kebabs to Turkish restaurants and more. A lot of the area was trashy but it had a good vibe. If nightlife is what you want, come here. If you want a more authentic and upmarket area, go somewhere else.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CanisHan
Seoul, South Korea24,068 contributions
Aug 2021
CY ( 21.08.04 )
Because of COVID, there was quiet and silent. But there was the most exotic area in Seoul, and had various world restaurant with good atmosphere. Maybe there will be excellent place with good mood after COVID. Many shop and restaurant was close business, but famous one was still operating in here and there. I wish there was good place once more with the end of COVID.
Because of COVID, there was quiet and silent. But there was the most exotic area in Seoul, and had various world restaurant with good atmosphere. Maybe there will be excellent place with good mood after COVID. Many shop and restaurant was close business, but famous one was still operating in here and there. I wish there was good place once more with the end of COVID.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wagg87
Manly, Australia21 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Great place for bars, cafes and restaurants. Head over to the Korean war museum which is about a 10min walk, it's free. Lots of nice back alley streets , antique streets have a few nice coffee places.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Wonderful. Possibly the most polite and friendly people I have ever met. Spotless streets. Incredible restaurants and street food. 175 floor Lotte tour,wow, and the DMZ Incredible. Great hotel. I thoroughly recommend.
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perdina S
99 contributions
A lot of halal restaurant make Muslim tourist like me and my friends were enjoy and finally able to eat meat here. I found a Korean Food halal restaurant so you can eat bulgogi with no fear here
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tes
Vlaardingen, The Netherlands321 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
If you like American soldiers and many foreigners than this is a part you will like.
It is a small area in Seoul, difficult to reach by the subway. There is nothing to see or to do. There are bars, restaurants and coffee shops like every where in seoul. But the ares is a little scruffy and looks run down. And the Americans make a lot of noise, we understood why all foreigners get a bad reputation due to the American army. There are some foreign restaurants like Kebab, Indian restaurants and some shops which sells Asian products against ridiculous prices. I heard that there is a good hairdresser for foreigners. If you are in Korea just for a visit/holiday, skip this area. Than go to Hongdae, great area where all the younger Koreans are. Many restaurants, great ambiance, nice buildings, art and clothes etc.
It is a small area in Seoul, difficult to reach by the subway. There is nothing to see or to do. There are bars, restaurants and coffee shops like every where in seoul. But the ares is a little scruffy and looks run down. And the Americans make a lot of noise, we understood why all foreigners get a bad reputation due to the American army. There are some foreign restaurants like Kebab, Indian restaurants and some shops which sells Asian products against ridiculous prices. I heard that there is a good hairdresser for foreigners. If you are in Korea just for a visit/holiday, skip this area. Than go to Hongdae, great area where all the younger Koreans are. Many restaurants, great ambiance, nice buildings, art and clothes etc.
Written November 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui S
Oman214 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
I have been to Itaewon on a number of occasions as I lived in Korea for 5 years. However the last time I was there was in 2008.
It is a great place to get tailor made clothes! Especially handmade leather jackets in the same design as the big fashion houses! Also cheap in comparison to what you would pay for a designer one... I don't know if the Hard Rock Cafe is still open but it was nice to go to for a meal and a drink... There are also a few lovely roof top restaurants hidden away.
It is a great place to get tailor made clothes! Especially handmade leather jackets in the same design as the big fashion houses! Also cheap in comparison to what you would pay for a designer one... I don't know if the Hard Rock Cafe is still open but it was nice to go to for a meal and a drink... There are also a few lovely roof top restaurants hidden away.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Payge
7 contributions
Aug 2019
I stayed in Itaewon at the Hamilton Hotel for two weeks and have really mixed opinions on it. I'll separate it to make more sense.
Positives
- a good destination, the subway station is right next to the biggest hotel here.
- the people in itaewon are about 60-70% foreigners, so if you are nervous about going to a country where you will stand out, this is a good place to blend in and feel more comfortable
- there is a lot to do here, there is a lot of restaurants from around the world, clubs, bars, even a line friends store which was really nice
- if you are coming for one night/to party this is the perfect destination, it is very lively
- lots of English - most places in seoul had people around who could speak English - although there were some places were no one could speak it - however in itaewon, pretty much everyone can speak English, and quite fluently too
negatives
- for long term stay (1week or more) this can be a bad place to stay as it is very loud. even the 'quiet' nights are still loud, so if you are trying to get a good nights sleep this wont be very likely
- the amount of drunk young people can be intimidating, especially the foreigners. I found that korean people were not very intimidating and were very polite, but the foreigners could be quite scary. As a teenage girl, only going with my sister (also a teenager), this was relatively intimidating, although not enough to stop us from doing anything
- there is a lot of people here, especially in the evenings
Positives
- a good destination, the subway station is right next to the biggest hotel here.
- the people in itaewon are about 60-70% foreigners, so if you are nervous about going to a country where you will stand out, this is a good place to blend in and feel more comfortable
- there is a lot to do here, there is a lot of restaurants from around the world, clubs, bars, even a line friends store which was really nice
- if you are coming for one night/to party this is the perfect destination, it is very lively
- lots of English - most places in seoul had people around who could speak English - although there were some places were no one could speak it - however in itaewon, pretty much everyone can speak English, and quite fluently too
negatives
- for long term stay (1week or more) this can be a bad place to stay as it is very loud. even the 'quiet' nights are still loud, so if you are trying to get a good nights sleep this wont be very likely
- the amount of drunk young people can be intimidating, especially the foreigners. I found that korean people were not very intimidating and were very polite, but the foreigners could be quite scary. As a teenage girl, only going with my sister (also a teenager), this was relatively intimidating, although not enough to stop us from doing anything
- there is a lot of people here, especially in the evenings
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dhe_mulyani
Jakarta, Indonesia478 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
For moslem, there's no place that so comfortable like itaewon, you can pray here at the seoul center mosque, beautiful mosqe, buy things at halal supermarket, and also eat at a lot of moslem restaurant here, Islamic book store, moslem clothes...anything...Feels like home....
Written March 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iluvspree
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam7 contributions
If our flight arrive late after 11pm, how to get to Itaewon? Is it to catch Late-night Bus to Seoul Station/Gangnam Express Bus Terminal then transfer train to Itaewon?
이태원에 식사와 술은 좋은데 먼가 attraction은 없을까요?
drevelyn
Seoul, South Korea130 contributions
현대카드 라이브러리, 삼성 리움 미술관 정도가 있을것 같아요. 아니면 바로 뒤에 남산 산책로 다녀오시는 방법도 있어요
AzizFikryMohammad
Malaysia65 contributions
Budget accommodations near Halal/vegetarian food for shopping in Dongdaemun Mkt, Namdaemun Mkt., Myeondong, Itaewon
If we(an elderly couple) want to do our shopping at Dongdaemun Market(most of the time), and to have easy access(not many train/subway line changes) to go also (sometimes) to Namdaemun market, Myeondong & Itaewon in which area should we stay? Please suggest some affordable accommodations (budget hotels, guesthouse, residence, hostel) with double room, private bath, lift/elevator.
Andrew F
Setagaya, Japan15 contributions
I highly suggest Airbnb. I just stayed at one in Itewon near the Mosque for $23 per night. easy access to train, bus and taxi.
raz A
Malaysia
hi Mulyani, As Salam.
can you let me know the homestay near to mosque, is there only 2 mosque around iteawon?.
Thank you/wassalam
Razak
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Claim your listingItaewon - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Itaewon
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Itaewon:
- [Private] Half Day Korean Halal Tour - Guide Only (From $189.75)
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute (From $20.00)
- Korea Past and Present 7days 6nights (From $4,470.00)
- DIY Seoul Private Tour: Select 4 places you want to go (From $183.00)
- Seoul Cafe Hopping East Experience (From $77.00)
- Hotels near Itaewon:
- (0.02 mi) Hamilton Hotel Seoul
- (0.11 mi) G Guesthouse Itaewon
- (0.07 mi) Dodam Guesthouse
- (0.11 mi) Yacht Guesthouse
- (0.10 mi) Be My Guest
- Restaurants near Itaewon:
- (0.01 mi) Lady M
- (0.01 mi) Baskin Robbins 31 Itaewon
- (0.02 mi) Ankara Palace
- (0.02 mi) Off The Record Vinyl Music Bar
- (0.02 mi) Ankara Picnic
- Attractions near Itaewon:
- (0.02 mi) Itaewon Tourist Information Center (Itaewon Station)
- (0.02 mi) Hamilton Shopping Center
- (0.12 mi) Seoul Pub Crawl
- (0.05 mi) All That Jazz
- (0.08 mi) Beton Brut : Concrete Bar