If there is one part of Seoul that seems to have something new every time I return, it is Ikseon-dong 익선동.
This compact maze of narrow lanes is one of Seoul’s oldest Hanok neighbourhoods, where century-old Korean houses have been turned into cafes, bakeries, restaurants and small indie shops.
Once a ‘hidden’ gem, Ikseon-dong has only become busier over the years.
Now… it forms part of Jongno 3-ga, which Time Out named the “World’s Coolest Neighbourhood” for 2026.
I have been coming back here over the years, and while some familiar names remain, there is always something new squeezed into these little alleys.
So if you are wondering what to eat and drink around Ikseon-dong now, here are some places worth knowing.
Favorite Ikseon 익선취향
17-32 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 17-32
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 9pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 8:05pm
Naver Maps – Favorite Ikseon 익선취향
Popular Hanok Restaurant For Pork Belly Rosé Pasta And Whirlwind Omurice
Favorite Ikseon 익선취향 is a popular restaurant in Ikseon-dong, known for its photogenic Western-style dishes served within a converted Hanok.
The menu is surprisingly compact, with signatures including Favorite Steak, Whole Pork Belly Rosé Pasta, Sea-Flavoured Vongole Pasta, Chicken Curry Risotto and Whirlwind Omurice.
The Whole Pork Belly Rosé Pasta (₩19,800) was my pick, with thick slices of tender pork belly over spaghetti in a creamy, tomato-based rosé sauce with a noticeable spicy kick.
For somewhere with such Instagrammable plates in one of Seoul‘s busiest tourist neighbourhoods, the food turned out to be more than just good looks.
Read more at: Favorite Ikseon 익선취향 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Standard Bread Ikseon 스탠다드브레드 익선
40 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11다길 40
Opening Hours: 9am – 7:30pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 7pm, Brunch Last Order 5:30pm
Naver Maps – Standard Bread Ikseon 스탠다드브레드 익선
Hanok Bakery Cafe With Salted Gat Butter Bread And Crème Brûlée French Toast
Standard Bread Ikseon 스탠다드브레드 익선 gives the brand’s bread mascot an appropriately Korean makeover, complete with a traditional black gat.
The Ikseon-exclusive Salted Gat Butter Bread 솔티드 갓버터 식빵 (₩8,900) takes its signature Salted Butter Bread and tops it with a large chocolate-butter cookie shaped like the traditional hat.
Other current breads include Classic Milk Bread (₩4,900), Salted Butter Bread (₩5,800), Basil Tomato Bread (₩7,400), Pumpkin Injeolmi Bread (₩8,500) and Chocolate Bread (₩8,800).
Read more at: Standard Bread 스탠다드브레드 (Seoul)
Wagle Wagle Bake Shop Ikseon 와글와글베이크샵 익선
25 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11다길 25
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Naver Maps – Wagle Wagle Bake Shop Ikseon 와글와글베이크샵 익선
Hanok Bakery Known For Crowagle, A Croissant And Bagel Hybrid
Wagle Wagle Bake Shop 와글와글베이크샵 specialises in the Crowagle 크로와글, its own croissant-meets-bagel creation shaped like a ring but made with airy laminated pastry layers.
The Original Crowagle (₩5,000) is the easiest way to understand the idea, while other current flavours include Salt Bread (₩5,300), Pure Milk Cream (₩6,400), Strawberry Cream (₩6,400), Matcha Cream (₩6,700), Cherry Choco (₩6,400) and Black Sesame Cream.
I went for the Salt Bread Crowagle, made with French butter and natural salt, with a crisp, deeply browned exterior and a softer, layered middle. It reminded me somewhat of the salt bread trend, except with the laminated texture of a croissant.
Mil Toast Ikseon 밀토스트 익선점
30-3 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 30-3
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 9:30pm
Naver Maps – Mil Toast Ikseon 밀토스트 익선점
Famous Ikseon-dong Cafe For Steamed Bread And French Toast
Mil Toast 밀토스트 has been one of the most popular breakfast stops in Ikseon-dong for years, and the queues can start even before its 8am opening.
Its signature Steamed Bread 스팀식빵 is actually butter-rich brioche finished in bamboo steamers, resulting in a browned exterior with a warm, fluffy and moist middle.
Current choices include Plain, Sweet Potato, Corn and Chestnut, along with newer savoury flavours such as Pollock Roe and Emmental Cheese.
French Toast is another big draw, with options such as Brioche French Toast, Chodang Corn French Toast, Strawberry Toast and seasonal creations.
Read more at: Mil Toast 밀토스트 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
OTC Coffee Ikseon 오티씨커피 익선
26 Samil-daero 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로28길 26
Opening Hours: 9am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thu), 9am – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Naver Maps – OTC Coffee Ikseon 오티씨커피 익선
Multi-Storey Cafe With Churros, Gat Tiramisu And Hanok Rooftop Views
OTC Coffee Ikseon 오티씨커피 익선 is a multi-storey cafe in Ikseon-dong, with upper-floor window seats and a rooftop looking across the tiled Hanok roofs.
The Jeonju-born brand is known for churros, though this outlet adds more Korean touches with tiger motifs, hanbok-inspired packaging and desserts such as Gat Tiramisu (₩9,000) and Ikseon Sand (₩22,000 for eight pieces).
I would head upstairs if seats are available, as the windows and rooftop views over Ikseon-dong are probably the most memorable part of this branch.
Soha Salt Pond 소하염전 익선
Seoul Jongno-gu Ikseon-dong 166-45
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 21-5
Opening Hours: 9am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 8pm
Naver Maps – Soha Salt Pond 소하염전 익선
Popular Salt Bread Cafe With A “Salt Pond” Theme
Soha Salt Pond 소하염전 is one of the better-known places for Salt Bread 소금빵 in Ikseon-dong.
The cafe itself is part of the experience, with a miniature “salt pond” within the Hanok courtyard, along with salt mounds, harvesting tools and other details inspired by Korea’s salt fields.
There are many rotating variations here, with the current line-up including Milk Cream, Garlic Butter, Mentaiko Mayo, Crème Brûlée and Blueberry Cheese.
The bread had a lightly crisp exterior, with a soft and buttery middle and distinct touch of saltiness. My pick was the Milk Cream Salt Bread, as the sweet cream worked particularly well with the saltiness.
Read more at: Soha Salt Pond 소하염전 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Jayeondo Salt Bread & Jayeondoga 자연도소금빵&자연도가
21-17 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 21-17 1층
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Naver Maps – Jayeondo Salt Bread & Jayeondoga 자연도소금빵&자연도가
Famous Salt Bread Shop Selling Just One Bread In Sets Of Four
Jayeondo Salt Bread 자연도소금빵 is one of the names most associated with Seoul’s Salt Bread 소금빵 craze, and the Ikseon-dong outlet keeps things very focused.
There is just one bread sold in sets of four for ₩12,000, with no individual pieces available.
The breads are baked in batches through the day, and the shop continues to use top-grade Canadian wheat, French AOP-certified butter and French sea salt.
Ordering involves paying first at the kiosk before joining a separate collection line, though it tends to move more quickly than the queue may suggest.
There is also a garden-style seating area at Jayeondoga next door if you want to eat the bread immediately with coffee or seasonal fruit juice, rather than simply taking the packet away.
Read more at: Jayeondo Salt Bread 자연도소금빵 (Seoul)
Onjisim 온지심
Seoul Jongno-gu Donui-dong 21
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11다길 17 온지심
Opening Hours: 8am – 9:50pm (Mon – Fri, Sun), 8am – 9:30pm (Sat), Last Order: 9:20pm (Mon – Fri, Sun), 9pm (Sat)
Naver Maps – Onjisim 온지심
Early-Opening Hanok Cafe For Soft And Chewy Korean-Style Bagels
Onjisim 온지심 is one of the relatively few cafes in Ikseon-dong that opens from 8am, making this useful if you are starting your day early.
Set within a restored Hanok with wooden beams and greenery, the cafe specialises in bagels made using Korean wheat and potatoes.
The current selection includes Plain (₩3,800), Spinach Basil (₩4,700), Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese (₩5,500), Cinnamon Pecan (₩4,700), Fig (₩4,700), Black Sesame (₩5,000) and Sweet Potato (₩5,600), along with sandwiches, soups and brunch plates.
The Korean-style bagels here are softer and chewier than the denser New York-style versions, while still being boiled before baking for a firmer exterior.
Read more at: Onjisim 온지심 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Nakwon Station 낙원역
166-32 Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 익선동 166-32
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 9:30pm
Naver Maps – Nakwon Station 낙원역
Train-Themed Hanok Cafe With Railway Tracks And Cakes On A Conveyor Belt
Nakwon Station 낙원역 is one of the more distinctive cafes in Ikseon-dong, designed like an old railway stop with tracks running over gravel through its Hanok courtyard.
“Nak-Won” 낙원 means “paradise”, while yeok 역 means “station”, giving the cafe its rather fitting “Paradise Station” name.
The train theme continues at the counter, where cakes move around on a conveyor-belt-style display. Choices include the Green Grass (₩13,800), White Double Cheese (₩13,800) and Cranberry Cheese Tart (₩11,800), which I picked for its smooth cheese filling, tart cranberry layer and crumbly top.
If possible, get a seat facing the railway garden, which remains the most memorable part of the cafe.
Read more at: Nakwon Station 낙원역 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Cafe Highwaist 카페하이웨이스트 – Ikseon
18 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11다길 18
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Naver Maps – Cafe Highwaist 카페하이웨이스트
Vintage Hanok Cafe Known For Scones And Photogenic Cakes
Cafe Highwaist 카페하이웨이스트 is one of the earlier-opening cafes in Ikseon-dong, opening from 9am within a converted Hanok dressed up with antique furniture, floral details and a rather British-inspired look.
The dessert counter remains the main attraction, piled with scones and elaborately decorated cakes.
Current signatures include the Bread Scone (₩4,700), Teddy Scone (₩5,300), Chocolate Teddy Scone (₩5,800), Basil Pesto Cream Cheese Scone (₩5,500), Carrot Cake (₩8,000) and Victoria Cake (₩8,000).
The scones were slightly crisp on the outside and softer within, though some may find them a little crumbly.
While the desserts certainly looked the part, I found the appeal of Cafe Highwaist to be more about the entire setting than any one particular cake.
Read more at: Cafe Highwaist 카페하이웨이스트 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Cheongsudang Bakery 청수당 베이커리
31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11나길 31-9
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 8pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 7:30pm
Naver Maps – Cheongsudang Bakery 청수당 베이커리
Photogenic Hanok Cafe With Bamboo Garden And Soufflé Castella
Cheongsudang Bakery 청수당 베이커리 remains one of the most recognisable cafes in Ikseon-dong, with stepping stones leading through bamboo, rocks and running water into a collection of Hanok spaces.
The original Cheongsudang concept has since been expanded into a larger bakery cafe incorporating six Hanoks and an extensive garden, with the dessert selection broadened beyond its original cakes to include yakgwa, Mont Blanc, madeleines and financiers.
The made-to-order Soufflé Castella remains one of the signatures, alongside Fromage Cakes. Current choices include Original Egg Soufflé Castella, Strawberry Soufflé Castella, Matcha Fromage Cake and Strawberry Fromage Cake.
Read more at: Cheong Su Dang 청수당 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Seoul Coffee 서울커피 익선본점
Seoul Jongno-gu Ikseon-dong 166-31
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 33-3 1층
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 9:40pm
Naver Maps – Seoul Coffee 서울커피 익선본점
Retro Hanok Cafe With Korean-Inspired Coffee And Desserts
Seoul Coffee 서울커피 has been around in Ikseon-dong for years, with its Hanok space designed around memories of old Seoul.
While the cafe was previously best known for its Butter-Black Bread and cube ice creams, the menu has evolved quite a bit.
Current signatures include Black Sesame Cream Latte (₩8,000), Vienna Coffee (₩7,500), Seoul Condensed Milk Latte (₩7,500), Mugwort Cake (₩8,500), Ice Cream Yakgwa Cookie (₩7,000) and Ang-Butter Bread (₩5,000).
What still works for me is how the cafe keeps Korean flavours within a setting that feels quite different from the newer, more polished cafes around Ikseon-dong. You can still find Sikhye, grain-based drinks and Korean-inspired desserts alongside the coffee.
Read more at: Seoul Coffee 서울커피 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Ikseon Aetteut 익선애뜻
24 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11다길 24 1층 익선애뜻
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8:40pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 8pm
Naver Maps – Ikseon Aetteut 익선애뜻
Popular Hanok Restaurant For Modern Korean Dishes And Corn Cheese Kimchi Pancake
Ikseon Aetteut 익선애뜻 is a popular modern Korean restaurant within a Hanok in Ikseon-dong, with a small indoor garden built around rocks, greenery and the original wooden framework.
The menu offers several signatures including Truffle Corn Cheese Kimchi Pancake (₩17,900), Pork Soybean Paste Ssambap (₩16,000), Beef Rib Seasoned Grilled Beef (₩33,000) and Beef Brisket Chive Kalbibimyeon (₩17,500). Newer additions include Cold Pork King Tteokbokki (₩17,900) and seasonal bibimbap dishes.
My favourite was the Corn Cheese Kimchi Pancake (₩17,900), with crisp edges, a moist middle, roasted corn and melted mozzarella over the kimchi pancake.
The combination sounds heavy, but the spicy and tangy kimchi helped cut through the cheese, while the corn brought some sweetness and crunch.
Read more at: Ikseon Aetteut 익선애뜻 (Ikseon-dong, Seoul)
Rain Report Rainbow 레인리포트 레인보우
33-7 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 33-7
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun), Last Order 8pm
Naver Maps – Rain Report Rainbow 레인리포트 레인보우
Hanok Cafe Where It Rains 365 Days A Year, With Colourful Desserts
Rain Report Rainbow 레인리포트 레인보우 brings Rain Report’s “365 days of rain” concept into Ikseon-dong, with artificial rain falling continuously into the central Hanok courtyard.
The seating is arranged around the garden so you can watch the rain from beneath the tiled roofs, while the “Rainbow” part of the concept comes through in the colourful handmade desserts.
The dessert counter includes its signature Cloud Pavlova, seasonal cakes, tiramisu, butter cakes, scones and madeleines.
The Yogurt Shine Muscat Butter Cake (₩9,500) came topped generously with fresh green grapes over yoghurt cream, while other current choices include Mango Butter Cake (₩9,500), Lemon Butter Cake (₩8,800), Matcha Tiramisu (₩8,800) and Earl Grey Lemon Scone (₩5,300).
Click HERE for more SEOUL Food Entries
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
