Itaewon — Seoul's International District★★
Itaewon (이태원) is Seoul's most multicultural and cosmopolitan district — historically shaped by the nearby US military base Yongsan, today a melting pot of international cuisine, craft beer bars, design shops, and Korea's LGBTQ+ scene.
For travelers, Itaewon is primarily a culinary paradise beyond Korean BBQ: Mexican, Turkish, Indian, Halal, Ethiopian — cuisines from around the world in authentic quality. The Gyeongnidan-gil (a side street) has developed into Seoul's trendiest restaurant mile: craft coffee bars, natural wine shops, designer boutiques.
The Antique Furniture Street is a hidden gem: dozens of shops with Korean and Asian antiques, vintage furniture, and curiosities. Perfect for browsing, even without the intention to buy.
Above Itaewon towers the Seoul Central Mosque — Korea's oldest and largest mosque (1976), around which a small Muslim quarter with halal restaurants and Arabic grocery stores has formed.
Nearby: The brand-new National Museum of Korea in the Yongsan district — one of the largest museums in Asia with over 300,000 exhibits, from prehistoric finds to Joseon royal ceramics. Free admission!
💡 Tipp
Itaewon has changed after the tragic incident in October 2022 — some bars and clubs have closed, but the district is reinventing itself. Gyeongnidan-gil is now the main attraction: less party, more food and culture. The National Museum of Korea is one of the best free museums in the world.
