Itaewon, in Seoul's Yongsan-gu, is the city's most international neighborhood, anchored by the hilltop Seoul Central Mosque and a mix of cuisines and cultures from around the world. By day it's halal eateries, an antique furniture street and exotic shops; by night it's the bars and clubs in the alleys behind the Hamilton Hotel. Adjacent Hannam-dong adds a polished side, with the Leeum Museum of Art and upscale boutiques and cafes.
Seoul Central Mosque: South Korea's first mosque, opened in 1976, sitting on a hill above Itaewon; nearby Usadan-gil is lined with halal restaurants and Middle Eastern grocers
Itaewon Antique Furniture Street (around Bogwang-ro): a strip of antique dealers that grew from European and American furniture left behind by U.S. troops
Leeum Museum of Art (Hannam-dong): a leading private museum founded by Samsung, holding both traditional and contemporary Korean art
International dining: the densest concentration of foreign restaurants in Seoul, spanning Middle Eastern, Western and Southeast Asian food
Haebangchon & Gyeongnidan-gil: hillside alley cafes and bars with good views over the Han River and city skyline
Good to know
SafetyThis is the site of the October 2022 Halloween crowd crush. The narrow, sloping alley beside the Hamilton Hotel (now the 'October 29 Memorial Alley') is only about 4 m wide. On Halloween, weekend late nights and other peak times, avoid packed, sloping alleys and stairs and don't linger in dense crowds
MannersThe October 29 Memorial Alley is a site of mourning for the crush victims. Respect the memorial atmosphere and avoid loud behavior or flippant photos
RulesNon-Muslims may enter Seoul Central Mosque, but modest clothing that covers the body is required. Confirm prayer times and photography rules on-site (check the latest)
SafetyIn the late-night bar and club streets, watch for pickpocketing and petty crime; keep valuables secure and avoid walking alone very late
SeasonRoutes toward Haebangchon, Gyeongnidan-gil and the mosque involve steep hills and cobblestones, so wear comfortable walking shoes; spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are the most pleasant for walking
Practical info
Subway Line 6 Itaewon Station is the hub; for the Leeum Museum and Hannam-dong, Hangangjin Station is closer. The Leeum is closed Mondays and runs on a reservation system, so check fees, hours and booking on the official website before visiting (confirm the latest). Taxis can be hard to hail late at night, so using the Kakao Taxi app is recommended.
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