Itaewon, Seoul: Address, Phone Number, Itaewon Reviews: 4/5
Itaewon
4
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Top ways to experience Itaewon and nearby attractions
The area
Neighbourhood: 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
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,343 within 5 kms

Braai Republic
376
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • African • Barbecue

Linus' Bama Style BBQ
241
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Barbecue

Maple Tree House - Itaewon
511
42 m$$ - $$$ • Barbecue • Asian • Korean

Plant
127
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly

Vatos Urban Tacos Itaewon
856
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin

Cleo
256
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Turkish • Middle Eastern

Privilege Bar
138
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • Wine Bar

Makan Halal Korean Restaurant
111
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Vegetarian Friendly

Blind Spot
137
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Cafe • European

EID - Halal Korean Food
140
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Halal
Attractions
567 within 10 kms
Itaewon Tourist Information Center (Itaewon Station)
24 mVisitor Centres

Hamilton Shopping Center
9
35 mShopping Malls

Seoul Central Mosque
125
0.3 kmReligious Sites

Itaewon Antique Furniture Street
44
0.3 kmNeighbourhoods

Leeum Art Museum
741
0.6 kmArt Museums

Itaewon Bugundang
3
0.4 kmReligious Sites

Seoul Metro
12,708
2.7 kmPublic Transportation Systems

Statue of Peace
2
0.4 kmMonuments & Statues

The War Memorial of Korea
4,280
1.5 kmMilitary Museums

Itaewon Children's Park
2
0.6 kmParks • Playgrounds
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Popular mentions
4.0
578 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
237
Average
123
Poor
26
Terrible
7
Traveller of the world
1,240 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 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CanisHan
Seoul, South Korea21,425 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 9 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
esquire838
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia381 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
In terms of neighbourhood Itaewon neighbourhood is like some London’s Zone 4 and beyond. Metro is on Line 6 so you need connections to get to the more popular Lines 1, 2 and 4 destinations.
So Itaewon has the basic offerings but the market is not like Namdaemoon, the underground mall is not like Hoehyeon and the shopping is not as upscale as Myeongdong.
I find accommodation there expensive relative to other outskirts. The area is slopey thus unsuitable for the not so fit.
On the plus side: there is direct access by limo bus to Incheon airport. The affordable food joints are aplenty and its a haven for muslim travellers with a mosque and many choices of halal offerings. And for party goers, there are plenty of hip joints. The food joints open till late.
As Seoul has excellent and affordable public transport system, I would stay elsewhere for cheaper accommodation (there are also other places with connections to airport and the city) but visit Itaewon on need basis like I visit central and busy Myeongdong.
So Itaewon has the basic offerings but the market is not like Namdaemoon, the underground mall is not like Hoehyeon and the shopping is not as upscale as Myeongdong.
I find accommodation there expensive relative to other outskirts. The area is slopey thus unsuitable for the not so fit.
On the plus side: there is direct access by limo bus to Incheon airport. The affordable food joints are aplenty and its a haven for muslim travellers with a mosque and many choices of halal offerings. And for party goers, there are plenty of hip joints. The food joints open till late.
As Seoul has excellent and affordable public transport system, I would stay elsewhere for cheaper accommodation (there are also other places with connections to airport and the city) but visit Itaewon on need basis like I visit central and busy Myeongdong.
Written 23 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
miles_for_smiles
Hong Kong, China94 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
Great neighborhood for an evening out and when you feel you’d like a drink and meeting a place where locals and foreigners mix at ease.
Many bars to chose from and generally an easy going atmosphere. Worth a visit!
Many bars to chose from and generally an easy going atmosphere. Worth a visit!
Written 12 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ian Y
East Haddam, CT32 contributions
Nov 2019
Great area, lots of activity and great walking streets. Lots of food options. Safe and clean as is typical in Seoul.
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lynda4924
7 contributions
Apr 2019
many Muslims food. awesome! the subway are so closed to my hotel I stayed. Hamilton Hotel. The people are so friendly.
Written 31 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
alneebari
Kuwait City, Kuwait3,440 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
It's a a very nice please and its shops and restaurant with cafe
You can spend 5 , 6 hours
And you can buy to many thing
You can spend 5 , 6 hours
And you can buy to many thing
Written 24 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
celticjames33
Suzhou, China182 contributions
Oct 2019
Perhaps it just me. Perhaps today was a Debbie downer in the area. Perhaps the day of the week wasn't right. Perhaps the coin showed Heads instead of tails. Or ... really... perhaps gentrification is starting to set in. It appears to be more of the last one. Went to Itaewon for the first time in 18mths today, and whilst its still a great place, I felt something was a little off about it. Refurbishment is starting to happen, there appear to be more empty shops, Bigger name franchises seem to be occupying more shop space, and with the move of USFK Headquarters to Pyongtaek, the foreign pedestrian traffic has significantly dropped. I understand that the Seoul Metropolitan government has goals for the area. Hopefully they have a positive impact on the area as Itaewon is a great place to go. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand2,915 contributions
Jul 2019
Had never had a chance to visit Itaewon until recent visit to Seoul. Packed with shops, restaurants, pubs, and massage, this seems to be the energy center of Seoul. Fun place to walk around, enjoy a drink and watch people!
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Itaewon
- We recommend booking Itaewon tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Itaewon tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Itaewon:
- (0.03 km) Hamilton Hotel Seoul
- (0.17 km) G Itaewon Guest House
- (0.18 km) Yacht Guesthouse
- (0.12 km) Dodam Guesthouse
- (0.15 km) Be My Guest
- Restaurants near Itaewon:
- (0.01 km) Lady M
- (0.02 km) Baskin Robbins 31 Itaewon
- (0.03 km) Ankara Palace
- (0.03 km) Ankara Picnic
- (0.04 km) Beodeulgol
- Attractions near Itaewon:
- (0.02 km) Itaewon Tourist Information Center (Itaewon Station)
- (0.04 km) Hamilton Shopping Center
- (0.20 km) Seoul Pub Crawl
- (0.09 km) All That Jazz
- (0.12 km) Beton Brut : Concrete Bar