Tasty and Fancy Daehakro Tour
Daehakro, also known as Daehangno, is Korea's mecca of performing arts and culture. Accommodating small and large theater halls, every street in this district often turns itself into a stage that is open to the public. Daehakro, full of performing arts events all year round, is always bursting with the energy of youth advocating for arts and performances. Here, you can find the best restaurants serving great food and the best cafés fostering a cozy and friendly atmosphere in a neighborhood with a high-density population. Take a look at Daehakro's unique and impressive hidden gems.
Three Must-Visit Restuarants in Daehakro
- Restaurant 1
- Joseon Restaurant,Known for Its Simple but Great Korean Dishes
If you want to know more about Korean cuisine and try some of the iconic Korean dishes, Joseon Restaurant would be a perfect choice. This restaurant is particularly known for offering a wide range of Korean dishes including kimchi stew, soybean paste stew, spicy chicken stew, and bibimbap aside from its signature menus—beef bulgogi hot pot and spicy stir-fried octopus. If you order a Deoksugung Set designed for two persons, you will be astonished by the number of main dishes—beef bulgogi hot pot, spicy stir-fried octopus, acorn jelly in cold broth, and salmon salad—paired with side dishes cooked with seasonal ingredients. The best way to start dining is to place bulgogi and octopus on lettuce and make a vegetable wrap. The spiciness of the stir-fried octopus will go away so much faster if you sip the cold broth with acorn jelly in it. The restaurant has a clean and large dining space, which doubles the deliciousness of the food it offers.
- How to get there: Get off at Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 1), go straight toward Exit 2, and walk 10 meters more from Mc Donald's.
- Address: B1, 128, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Main Menu: Deoksugung Set (for two persons) KRW 28,000, Beef Bulgogi Hot Pot KRW 8,000, Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus KRW 8,000, Pork and Kimchi Stew KRW 7,000, and Sea Pineapple Bibimbap KRW 9,000
- Working Hours: 10:00–24:00 (open all year round)
- Inquiries: +82-2-763-3323
Tips for foreign travelers
Set menus are designed for more than two persons. If you find the dishes included in the set menu too much for one person, you can order a single dish. You will never find it uncomfortable to sit and dine alone in this cozy and friendly restaurant.
- Restaurant 2
- Cheers! Try Different Types of Korean Makgeolli at Hyehwa Dodam!
Makgeolli is Korea’s iconic traditional liquor made with rice. Just as the taste and flavor of wine vary depending on its region and variety, there is a wide range of makgeolli available in Korea. At Hyehwa Dodam, you can try several types of makgeolli representing different regions including Udo peanut makgeolli, Gongju chestnut makgeolli, and Goheung yuzu makgeolli all in one place. A variety of delicious snacks are also available to be served with makgeolli. Among them is stewed kimchi prepared by serving sour and soft aged kimchi with boiled pork that goes perfectly with makegeoli. When drinking makgeolli, you might not want to miss the crispy and delicious green onion pancake or parboiled tofu served with kimchi. Feel free to enjoy this authentic Korean cuisine that you will never forget!
- How to get there: Go straight 58 meters from Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 4), turn left at Mr. Pizza, and walk 63 meters. Once again, turn left at Oppadak, and go straight 16 meters. Then, turn right and walk 33 meters.
- Address: 16-6, Daemyeong 1(il)-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Main Menu: A Block of Tofu KRW 5,000, Stewed Kimchi KRW 8,000, Green Onion Pancake KRW 9,000, and A Bottle of Makgeolli KRW 5,000–8,000
- Working Hours: 11:00–22:00 including break time from 15:00 to 17:00 (on weekdays), open all year round
- Inquiries: +82-2-744-9850
Tips for foreign travelers
If you visit Hyehwa Dodam from 11:00 to 14:00 on weekdays, you can enjoy its all-you-can–drink makgeolli service with unlimited refill of steamed rice. You can also purchase a bottle of makgeolli as a souvenir with KRW 2,000 discount per bottle.
- Restaurant 3
- Seoyangzip—A Home-Style Italian Restaurant that Sticks to the Basics
Seoyangzip is a high-quality restaurant that specializes in offering steak and pasta menus in a fantastic and dreamy environment that reminds you of a scene from the film La La Land. It takes pride in presenting its home-style Italian cuisine with a Korean touch. Its signature menu Prime Top Blade Steak is made by aging highest-quality beef from Australia and prime-level fresh beef from America for two weeks and marinating. You will be surprised by how soft and juicy your steak taste. Seoyangzip also offers pasta pomodoro the basic pasta recipe made with Italian whole tomato and herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano. This menu is particularly known for its fresh and sweet tomato sauce in perfect harmony with properly cooked pasta. You might also want to check out Seoyangzip‘s list of wines that go well with its menus.
- How to get there: Go straight 50 meters from Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 3), turn left at Seoul Jongno Pharmacy, and walk 117 meters. Go straight after turning left at a dead end.
- Address: 2F, 23-2, Daehak-ro 9(gu)-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Main Menu: Prime Top Blade Steak KRW 25,900, Pasta Pomodoro KRW 13,900, White Ale KRW 6,000, and House Wine KRW 5,000
- Working Hours: 11:30–15:00 and 17:00–21:20 on weekdays / 11:30–15:00 and 16:00–21:20 on weekends / Closed on Lunar New Year’s and Chuseok holidays
- Inquiries: +82-2-764-7725
Tips for foreign travelers
If you are open to trying new kinds of food, Bulgogi Pasta with Cream Sauce, which uses hanu (literally meaning Korean beef) as the main ingredient, would be a perfect choice. If you are looking for a steak replacement, Bacon Gnocchi with Truffle Oil is highly recommended, which has a thick slice of bacon on top of it.
Two Must-Visit Cafes in Daehakro
- Cafe 1
- Cafe Hyehwadong, Famous for Its House-made Tiramisu and Bottled Milk Tea
If you’re dying to taste a sweet dessert with a cup of beautifully scented milk tea, Cafe Hyehwadong would be the best choice. As tiramisu translates to “feeling good” in Italian, Cafe Hyehwadong’s tiramisu will awaken your senses: both in presentation and taste. Its soft, savory, and bittersweet taste of tiramisu made with a generous amount of mascarpone cream cheese will make you happy in every way. If you have a thing for chocolate, try the Original Tiramisu, and for matcha tea lovers, try Matcha Tiramisu. Cafe Hyehwadong’s another signature menu is Bottled Milk Tea known for its less sweet yet extremely deep flavor as it is prepared by infusing loose leaf tea. After drinking up the tea, you can take the cute, little bottle with you. You might also want to try one of Cafe Hyehwadong’s famous menus—Vienna coffee with homemade whipped cream!
- How to get there: Go straight 118 meters from Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 3), turn left at Coffine Gurunaru, and walk 189 meters.
- Address: 2F, 40, Changgyeonggung-ro 26-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Main Menu: Earl Grey Milk KRW 6,000, Vienna Coffee KRW 6,000, and Matcha Tiramisu KRW 6,000
- Working Hours: 12:00–22:00 (open all year round)
- Inquiries: +82-2-6497-3347
Tips for foreign travelers
On weekends and in the late afternoon on weekdays, you might have to stand in a line for half an hour to an hour to get in. If you arrive too late, there is a high chance of not getting what you want. The best time to visit the cafe and avoid crowds is from 13:00 to 16:00 on weekdays.
- Cafe 2
- Matiere—A Bakery Cafe with Artistic Sensibilities
Once you get inside the shop after pushing a mint revolving door, you will be astonished by its space that is beyond your imagination. Rafters are visible on the ceiling of a hanok in perfect harmony with eye-catching European antique items in every corner of the shop. You will smack your lips at the sight of delicious-looking scones, canneles, and madeleines displayed on a long table at the center. Just as the name of the cafe suggests, matiere, which means “substance” or “material” in French, turns everything in its space into a work of art that embraces all different materials as a whole. It has a unique atmosphere that adds extra flavor to your coffee. Do not miss a chance to try matiere‘s signature menus—Flat White Cream made with milk, cream, and espresso in perfect harmony and Einspänner with whipped cream on top of cold brewed coffee that doubles its flavor.
- How to get there: Go straight 118 meters from Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 3), turn left at Coffine Gurunaru, and walk 153 meters. Then, turn right at 7-Eleven and go straight 64 meters. Once again, turn left at Jingun Art Hall and walk 27 meters.
- Address:41-6, Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Main Menu: Flat White Cream KRW 5,500, Einspänner KRW 6,000, Strawberry Shortcake (per piece) KRW 6,500, and Raspberry Scone KRW 4,000
- Working Hours: 12:00–21:30 (closed on Mondays and last Tuesday of the month)
- Inquiries: +82-2-745-9717
Tips for foreign travelers
When the café is full, you must put your name on the waiting list at the entrance. You can get help from an employee in writing down your name and stand in line until there is a free seat.
One Must-Visit Shopping Places in Daehakro
- Shopping Place 1
- PURIE—The Best Scented and Sweetest Way to Remember Daehakro
It is a unique shop that sells impressively titled perfumes including the one called "You're Like an Addiction" and healthy jams without sugar, gelatin, preservatives, and synthetic flavors. Once you get inside the shop, you will be welcomed by warm and sweet scents first. It offers about 50 types of perfumes, which you can use testers to see what is most suitable for you. While talking to one of its friendly employees, you will find the perfect perfume that suits your preference and mood. All perfumes come in three sizes: 10 ml, 30 ml, and 50 ml. Among them, particularly the 10 ml ones are easy to carry anywhere you go. Also don't miss out on its homemade jam that is widely recognized after winning an international jam competition. Interesting jams made with rather unusual ingredients can be found such as balloon flower roots, cherry blossoms, and pine nuts along with fructooligosaccharide instead of sugar to add sweetness.
- How to get there: Go straight 47 meters from Hyehwa Station, Subway Line 4 (Exit 2), turn right at KFC, and walk 68 meters. Then, go straight 53 meters after turning left at Hollys Coffee.
- Address: 15-7, Daehak-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Signature Products: A Bottle of Perfume KRW 13,000–36,000 and a Bottle of Homemade Jam KRW 12,000–14,500
- Working Hours: 12:00–21:00 (closed on Mondays)
- Inquiries: +82-2-742-0238
Tips for foreign travelers
You are welcomed to use perfume testers and enjoy food giveaways. If you would like to try fragrance or food samples, all you have to do is to ask. Try to remember the number of the product you love after using the tester so that you will not forget what to buy.