A Traditional Teahouse in Insadong

The charming Insadong neighborhood represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts.

The main street is Insadong-gil, which is connected to a multitude of alleys that lead deeper into the district with modern galleries and tea shops. You can’t go to Insadong and not have tea at a traditional tea shop.

Part of our itinerary was to visit at least 2 teahouses in Korea. One of Seoul’s most popular Korean Traditional teahouses is Dawon.

Dawon is one of Seoul’s oldest teahouses, having kept its doors open for thirty years. It is located in the garden of Kyungin Museum of Fine Art in Insadong.

The tea house operates in a hanok (traditional korean house).

We opted to stay inside since it was cold.

The place was almost full when we came in so when we were offered to have our tea in this room, I gladly accepted. I really wanted to experience a proper Korean tea house ceremony- one in which you’re seated on a heated floor (known as Ondol.)