Seoul Day 2: Exploring Gyeongbokgung & Dinner at Tongin Market (8 February 2025)

Started the Day at Insadong

We officially kickstarted our Seoul trip by exploring Insadong on a beautiful, sunny yet cold morning on 8 February 2025.

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

Although the sun was out, coming from a tropical country, we found the weather considerably cold at -3°C. See the chart from AccuWeather below.

We strolled along the beautiful street of Insadong with its traditional hanok-style shops, art galleries, and modern cafes. One of the highlights was Ssamziegil, an outdoor multi-story shopping complex with quirky souvenir and craft stores.

Brunch at Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

Then, we stopped by Imun Seolnongtang for brunch to enjoy a hearty bowl of seolleongtang (ox bone soup) with rice. This milky-white broth is slowly simmered for hours, resulting in a rich and flavorful soup that is both nourishing and comforting—perfect for a winter morning.

Well, it was more like we stumbled upon it while looking for a place to escape the bitter cold wind... 😅🤣

According to VisitKorea, Imun Seolnongtang first opened in 1907, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Seoul. It has been serving its bestselling seolleongtang for over a hundred years, making it a must-visit spot for those craving traditional Korean flavors.

📍 Location: 38-13, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 38-13)

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung

After brunch, we made our way to Gyeongbokgung Palace to witness the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, an iconic and historically significant event held at the Gwanghwamun Gate (main entrance).

The entire performance lasts about 20 minutes and showcases a reenactment of the royal guards’ traditional changing of duty, complete with colorful hanbok uniforms, ceremonial weapons, and traditional Korean music. The event felt like stepping back in time, providing a glimpse into Korea’s rich royal heritage. Plus, it’s completely free to watch!

Gyeongbokgung & The National Folk Museum of Korea

Then, we took time to explore Gyeongbokgung, the Royal Palace built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty. Throughout history, it has been destroyed multiple times but has since been restored and remains one of the most significant palaces in South Korea. The palace grounds were expansive with traditional architecture set against a stunning mountain backdrop.

Next, we visited the National Folk Museum of Korea, which is located within the palace grounds. This museum showcases Korean traditions, daily life, and cultural artifacts from different historical periods, giving us deeper insight into how people lived during the Joseon era.

Winter Street Food

After leaving Gyeongbokgung, while on the way back to Insadong, we stumbled upon a street food truck selling some of the most iconic Korean winter treats! Yes, we didn't have a concrete plan, so we ended up stumbling upon places quite a bit... 😅🤣

So, we bought:

🍯 Hotteok (Korean sweet pancake): This food struck sold the crispy version of hotteok, filled with a gooey mix of brown sugar and nuts. The crunch on the outside and the warm, caramelized filling inside made it absolutely delicious!

🐟 Bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry): This iconic winter street snack has a slightly crispy exterior and is filled with sweet red bean paste. This was my favorite!

🥚 Gyeran-ppang (egg bread): This is a small chunk, fluffy bread roll with a whole baked egg on top. The mix of savory and sweet flavors, combined with the warmth of the bread, made it the perfect comfort food for the chilly evening.

Dinner at Chebu-dong Janchi-jib in Tongin Market

While munching on our snacks as we made our way back to Insadong, we unexpectedly walked into Tongin Market. I was ecstatic because I hadn’t planned on accidentally stumbling upon one of Korea’s oldest traditional markets so early in our trip!

Well, we also needed a place to escape the wind again, as it was already evening, and the temperature has dropped drastically (it was double-digit negative Celcius... 🥶🥶)!

According to the Internet, Tongin Market is a historic market that has been around since 1941, originally built to serve the nearby Seodaemun and Gyeongbokgung Palace neighborhoods. While it has evolved over the years, it remains a beloved local market where you can find everything from fresh produce and handmade snacks to traditional Korean meals.

📍 Location: 18, Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 자하문로15길 18)

For dinner, we opted for a home-style Korean meal at Chebu-dong Janchi-jib. The restaurant—packed with locals—has a simple, no-frills setting, but the food speaks for itself—hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

Here’s what we ordered:

🍜 Janchi-guksu (잔치국수): This simple dish consists of thin wheat noodles in a light anchovy broth, topped with sliced eggs, seaweed, and scallions.

🥣 Sujebi (수제비): This dish is similar to the Malaysian Pan Mee with hand-pulled, chewy dough in a warm, savory broth—an ideal dish for a chilly winter night.

🥟 Mandu (만두): These are Korean dumplings stuffed with minced pork, glass noodles, and vegetables.

📍 Location: 5-1, Jahamun-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 자하문로4길 5-1)

Nighttime Walk from Gyeongbokgung to Insadong

Finally, despite the bitter, wintry cold wind, we still needed to hurry back to Insadong. Walking seemed to take our minds off the freezing temperatures. The streets at night had a completely different atmosphere—quieter, with warm lights glowing from teahouses and boutique stores.