Balwoo Gongyang (사찰음식 전문점 발우공양)

Balwoo Gongyang (사찰음식 전문점 발우공양)

Balwoo Gongyang, located in front of the main gate of Jogyesa Temple, is a temple food restaurant operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism. “Balwoo” refers to meals for monks and it means that the act of eating is also a process to realizing the truth. Their food is made with seasonal ingredients to bring out the best flavor of each season, and all ingredients, including meat, are prepared without any additives to provide the most health-conscious and environmentally friendly meals.

– Address : 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Temple Stay Information Center Level 5

※ Presentation Information
– Main Dish
Won Course

– Information and Guides
+82-2-733-2081

– Menu
Seon Course, Won Course, Maeum Course, Hee Course, and Beop Course

– Opening Hours
11:30-21:00 (Break time 15:00-18:00)

– Parking
Available

– Day Off
Sundays

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Templestay Information Center (템플스테이 홍보관)

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– Homepage
www.templestay.com: Visit site

Templestay Information Center offers various information and services regarding templestays and temple meals for domestic and international visitors. The center also operates traditional cultural experiences, such as tea time with a Buddhist monk, traditional culture activities and more.

⊙ Toin (토인)

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Toy store where you can buy Dalgona sets
It is a retro-style store that sells nostalgic toys and snacks. The small space is filled with colorfully colored wrapping paper and toys that are difficult to understand at first glance. As soon as you enter this place, children and adults will feel excited and their eyes will sparkle. Among the various products, the most popular item is by far the Dalgona set. It is good to make new memories by choosing snacks and toys that suit your taste

⊙ Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

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– Homepage
www.kimchimuseum.com/en: Visit site

Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs.

⊙ HIDE AND SEEK – Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)

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– Homepage
Visit site

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm
This is where TXT members enjoyed escape games on their own series, “TO DO X TXT.” Chosen as the tagger by random draw, Huening Kai showed impressive game skills, using his instincts to “eliminate” the other members.

⊙ Geoan (거안)

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– Homepage
www.instagram.com/geoan_official: Visit site

Geoan, a store in Insa-dong, specializes in wooden furniture and accessories. Visitors can purchase products on display in the store or customize their pieces according to their preferences. In addition to furniture production, the shop also exhibits and sells various artworks such as celadon, lacquer mother-of-pearl, and sculptures by artists, making it a classy art space that harmonizes tradition and modernity.

⊙ Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

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– Homepage
www.instagram.com/ssamzigil_official: Visit site

Ssamzigil is an Insa-dong landmark and a shopping mall specializing in crafts. It is a place where the traditions of Korea come together with its present. Follow the paths that lead seamlessly from the lower floors to the upper floors and browse the small craft shops that inhabit the floors. You can find both works of traditional craft and contemporary craft here. Some craft shops also offer craft experiences, and one can also find restaurants and galleries within the complex.

⊙ Insa-dong (인사동)

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– Homepage
www.insainfo.or.kr: Visit site

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

⊙ Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

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– Homepage
www.matthewchangperfumes.com: Visit site

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand’s philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea’s tradition and aesthetics, the store’s tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand’s carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor’s preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.

⊙ Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
craftmuseum.seoul.go.kr: Visit site

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.

 SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.

The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

⊙ Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

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As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks, porcelains, woodcrafts, and metalwork. Visitors may even find rare and valuable products such as earthenware from the Silla period or white porcelain used in the Joseon dynasty. Each shop is a specialty store, authorized to sell product types that are of their expertise, ranging from antique furniture and traditional artworks to handcrafted items.