Seoul Retro Food Tour: Ikseon-dong Vibes + Jokbal
Joined 2024
As you stroll through the charming hanok alleys, the mouthwatering aroma of jokbal (braised pig's trotters) will tempt you!
Experience both the past and present of Seoul in one tour—exploring Ikseon-dong and Jangchung-dong.
o Tour Highlights
Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley Walk: Snap unforgettable photos in this small village in Seoul, filled with trendy cafes and retro shops!
Exploration of Streets Blending Tradition and Modernity: Discover hidden stories and aesthetic spots tucked into every alley.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 5), Exit 6
- Let's meet at the entrance of Exit 6.
Ikseon-dong Vibes
Ikseon-dong is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. It has a unique charm where tradition and modernity blend in a single alley.
The hanok village, built in the 1920s, is the oldest residential area of traditional Korean houses (hanok) in Seoul.
Trendy cafes and design shops nestled in the serene alleyways make the streets themselves feel like works of art.
The salt bread here is so famous that you’ll need to wait in line just to try it.
This area is often featured in popular Korean dramas for its beautiful and picturesque scenery.
Move to Jokbal Street.
We’ll take the subway to Jokbal Street.
Experience Seoul’s subway system — one of the most convenient and excellent in the world.
It’s punctual, clean, and the transfer system is amazingly efficient.
Jangchung-dong Jokbal Street
◆ What is Jokbal? (a.k.a. Your New Food Obsession)
Jokbal is Korea’s answer to, “What if pork could be soft, savory, and slightly addictive?”
It’s pig’s trotters (yes, the feet—don’t freak out!) slow-braised in a magical mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and secret ingredients that grandma probably won’t tell you.
The result? Glorious slices of melt-in-your-mouth meat with glossy, chewy skin—so good you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life.
Locals love to wrap it in lettuce with a dollop of spicy ssamjang, a bit of kimchi, and maybe a tear of joy.
Best enjoyed with soju, good friends, and stretchy pants.
And in Seoul’s Jangchung-dong, there’s an entire street dedicated to this delicacy—because one jokbal restaurant just isn’t enough.
Local Guide's Stories and Food Tips: Don’t just eat—learn how to eat like a local with insider tips from your guide!
Ending Point
Dongguk Univ. Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 3
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
English Speaking Local Tour Guide with Guide license
Jokbal
Buckwheat noodles or green onion pancakes
1. Additional food or alcohol ordered beyond the included meals
2. Extra transportation costs (e.g., taxi fare) if you request a taxi or private car due to mobility issues
3. Travel insurance (please purchase individually)
Tour Important Information
o Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
o
The tour start time can be adjusted according to the guest’s request.
Important message from the supplier
I can drive my own car to make customers comfortable.
My house is close to Incheon Airport.
I can pick up at Incheon Airport and take you to the hotel in my car.
When needed, I can invite a professional photographer to take photos.
I love history and travel.
So, I will make my customers' trips valuable.
In our country with distinct four seasons, I can guide joyfully at any time.
I lived in Gyeongju for a long time when I was young. I know a lot about Gyeongju.
I've traveled to Jeju Island dozens of times. I have a lot of knowledge about Jeju Island.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Alice K.
Hello! I am Alice.
I live in Incheon, South Korea. It's very close to Seoul.
I want to guide my clients through the charming city of Seoul.
Especially when introducing the five grand palaces of Seoul, I would like to invite a professional photographer to capture beautiful moments.
I can help them dress in hanbok and create stunning life shots.
I also want to guide them through Kyeongju, a city that breathes with a long history. I lived in Kyeongju until my teenage years.
I want to introduce UNESCO-listed Kyeongju, a city of culture and history.
I have traveled to Jeju Island more than several ten times. I also want to introduce Jeju Island.
My clients can go anywhere they want in South Korea.
There are many well-preserved cultural heritage sites with a long history in Korea, and they can also experience the convenience of fast-developing Seoul.
Come and visit Korea. Let's explore Seoul and travel together anywhere.
Traveling in Korea will be a memorable and cherished experience.
Best regards. Alice.
Reviews
Pravardhan B.
“Seoul tour ”
Alice was very informative and gave good history and back ground story of all sites. She drove us in her personal car, very flexible and accommodating to our impromptu plan . Highly recommend .
Alice K.
Hello Pravardhan!! Thank you so much for leaving such a beautiful review for me. Your review truly gives me great strength. Is your lovely wife and daughter doing well? Your family looked even more wonderful because of the love you share. I hope you visit beautiful Korea again someday. Best Regards. From Alice.
Henry A.
“Unforgettable Private Tour of Seoul”
We had an incredible day exploring the heart of Seoul on this private tour—it exceeded all expectations! Our guide was not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly warm, accommodating, and passionate about Korean culture and history. Every stop was perfectly paced and thoughtfully planned. Gyeongbokgung Palace was the perfect start—stepping into Korea’s royal past was awe-inspiring. Our guide provided fascinating historical context and helped us appreciate the beautiful architecture and ceremonial traditions. We even got great photos during the changing of the guard ceremony! Insadong was a delightful contrast, with its charming blend of traditional tea houses, antique shops, and modern galleries. We loved the local vibe and even tried our hand at some calligraphy with the help of our guide. Myeongdong Street was a shopper’s paradise! The energy, the K-beauty stores, the street food—it was a total sensory experience. Our guide knew exactly where to take us for the best tteokbokki and hotteok, and helped us navigate the popular spots without stress. DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) was stunning and futuristic—such a cool mix of design, architecture, and innovation. It was amazing to see Seoul’s modern creative side, and our guide gave us great insight into the exhibitions and the history behind the building. We ended the day at Gwangjang Market, and wow—what a feast! Our guide helped us try local favorites like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap. Everything was delicious, and having a local guide made all the difference when it came to finding authentic flavors and avoiding tourist traps. This private tour with Alice felt personal, immersive, and incredibly special. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a deeper and more meaningful experience of Seoul. Thank you for a truly unforgettable day.
Alice K.
Hello Henry! Did you arrive safely in Singapore and are you having a great time? I’m sure your kids are enjoying themselves too, right? Thank you so much for leaving me such a wonderful review. Your review will be a great help to me. This Asia tour with your children will be a wonderful gift for them. I hope you have a healthy and joyful time! Best Regards. From Alice.
Andre O.
“Wonderful Private Tour”
Several days ago we had the a wonderful tour of Seoul city highlights with Alice. What a wonderful tour guide. We enjoyed her tour immensely. Her car was nice and clean, she was on time (even early) and her route allowed us to see the maximum sights in our full day. We visited Namsum Tower from which the views were great at the beginning of the day to beat the crowds, then over to Changdeokgung Palace and its secret garden. On the way there we walked through the Hanok village which was interesting. For lunch a quick stop for delicious ginger chicken soup (Michelin guide mentioned restaurant). At the end of the day we walked around the Insa-Dong cultural street. Alice was excellent providing historical and cultural background as needed or if we had questions, but we appreciated the quiet moments to take in the sights as well. Alice's english is excellent too. We highly recommend her and will use her again if we ever come to S. Korea again.
Alice K.
Hello Andre! Thank you so much for leaving me such a wonderful review. I also truly enjoyed and felt comfortable during our tour together. I really appreciate your interest in Korea's historical background and how engaged you were with all the stories. I could tell that you're someone who surely gives your best at work as well. I sincerely hope your work brings you even greater success than expected, and that happiness always follows. Best regards. From Alice.
$220/ per group
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(Full day) Listen to history, see culture and rest one's feet.
Listen to the hidden historical stories of Korea at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the most visited place in Seoul. Cheong Wa Dae, which means ‘Blue Tile House,’ is also known as the Blue House. It will be a meaningful trip to understand Korean history at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Blue House, Jogyesa Temple. And it will be a fun time to experience Korean culture at Insadong Street and Gwangjang Market. Foot bath experiences at the Oriental Medicine Promotion Center will relieve your fatigue.
(Full day) Listen to history, see culture and rest one's feet.
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Evening Walk: Street Food, Hidden Alleys & a Glowing Palace
Discover the flavors and charm of Seoul on this 3-hour evening walking tour. We'll start by sampling local street food at a bustling traditional market — food tastings are included. As the sun sets, we’ll walk along the old stone wall of Jongmyo Shrine, lined with small cafés, ending our tour with a night visit to a beautifully lit royal palace. Perfect for travelers who want to experience real Korean life, hidden corners, and unforgettable night views, all guided by a local expert.
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Do you want to learn about Korean barbecue and drinking culture? How about a drink with a Korean friend? I will share with you interesting stories about Koreans and their life passages in a comfortable atmosphere. Here's a program that's perfect for you. I'll take you to a heap spot in Seoul. There are 4 options below. You can select a place you prefer or a place close to your accommodation. A) Hongdae B) Jongno (Ikseon-dong) C) Jamsil D) Where you want to go
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