Annyeonghaseyo Korea : Day 2 - Itaewon and Seoul Centre Mosque

iii) Itaewon, Seoul.

Continued from my last post about Gyeongbokgung Palace, next itinerary was to the one of the most iconic area in Seoul. I will take you walking down this street ok....

We went out from the bus.

You may refer this map for those who travel without guide..


Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, but you'd never know that walking down the streets of Itaewon. Itaewon is a unique place in Seoul where one can meet people of diverse nationalities and cultures. There is a popular joke saying that international residents may not know Seoul, but they know Itaewon.

Located smack-dab in the center of Seoul, Itaewon is home for the majority of expats that reside in Korea, making Itaewon a mini melting pot of cultures and religions from all over the world. Itaewon is in the middle of Yongsan-gu, which borders the northern part of the Hangang River. It is also close to Seoul Station, Myeong-dong, and Namsan Mountain. 

In the aftermath of the Korean War, American soldiers began to stay in the Yongsan Garrison and, consequently, numerous businesses and housing complexes were formed in Yongsan.

Itaewon typically refers to the street full of stores, restaurants, and stalls over 1.4 kilometers between Itaewon 1-dong and Hannam 2-dong in the east.

Most stores in Korea offer clothing that fit Asian builds well but are unfortunately too small to fit those with “Western builds”. This leaves many of those with bigger and taller builds struggling to find clothing that fit. Fortunately many of the stores in Itaewon offer imported clothing in sizes that are difficult to find elsewhere in Korea. And if you still can’t find what you want, experienced tailors can create customized clothing.

Not only stalls, there are also lots of outlet selling clothing, bags and other accessories.


The same problem goes for shoes. In Korea, shoe sizes are measured in millimeters with the largest size being generally about 280 - 300 mm (US size 11 or 12). Foreigners that require larger footwear can find their shoe needs met here.

Itaewon also specializes in leather and fur goods, luggage and handbags, as well as jewellery and antique furniture. Trinkets and souvenirs can also be found here.

Itaewon boasts some 100 antique stores clustered together on a single street. Originally these stores only dealt with second-hand U.S. Army furniture, but nowadays the selections at the stores have expanded to include antique furniture from around the world.

The Hamilton Hotel, landmark of Itaewon.


Another one of Itaewon’s many draws is its diverse food culture, which features cuisine from around world. Restaurants right behind Hamilton Hotel form a type of exhibition hall for international foods from Korea, New York, London, India, Thailand, China, Greece, Pakistan, Italy, France, Mexico, Australia, and more. Unique flavors, exotic interiors, and diverse nationalities help to make Itaewon befittingly ‘The Global Village in Seoul.’

From the main street, we have to climb a bit to this alley where lots of Muslim's restaurant located.

Turkish restaurant.

See all the restaurants with "halal" sign. In this alley, I didn't feel like in Seoul at all as the people I met here mostly from Pakistan, India and Middle East.

Most of the halal restaurants are Indian/Pakistan cuisine.

Ice cream looks tempting.

Lovely kebab!

As it's already 12 noon, we had a lunch at one of the restaurant here. I bet the prices of all these restaurants are a bit pricey considering it's all a fine restaurant with international cuisine. Nevertheless as meals already included in our tour package, we were more than happy to have a lavish meal with free mind not thinking about budget and everything.
Just eat..!!

This mannequin looked real right? It supposed to hold a saxophone that lying under it's feet.

Little India is everywhere even in Korea! We went to have a lunch here.

Obviously as it's name, this restaurant served an Indian buffet.



Next after lunch, it's almost came to Zohor prayer time. So we went to the mosque nearby to perform our prayer.



iv)Seoul Central Mosque

The alley to the mosque.


Built in 1969, Seoul Central Mosque is Korea’s first mosque. The mosque is open to both Korean and tourist Muslims. The best time to visit the mosque is on Sunday afternoon. 

How to get there

To get there take exit 3 from Itaewon Station.

Tips for those who travel to foreign country; if you want to find halal foods, it is recommended for you to locate the mosque first. Especially the main mosque of the city. This is because of the Muslim's community at the foreign country normally reside nearby the mosque area. Insyaallah halal restaurants, stores and even market available there.

The prayer hall.

The mosque compound.

So after everyone completed their prayers, we went to the airport. Why?? Because we wanted to take a flight to JEJU ISLAND. Can't wait. Yeeehaaa!!!

So as ussual, continued on my next post ok!