Insadong, Seoul– Shopping for Handmade Crafts, a Photo Gallery

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Traditional Korean Souvenirs from Insadong

Seoul is filled with shopping— it seems like there are high-end mega malls around every corner. Enormous wholesale markets like Dongdaemun and Namdaemun sell everything from designer fashion, to knock-off bags to live chickens. The city streets buzz with brightly-lit shops and sidewalk markets.

While any of these shopping areas in Seoul can be a great source of Korean souvenirs, the best place to find the widest selection of traditional Korean handmade crafts is Insadong. Insadong is a traditional neighborhood in central Seoul– wide pedestrian avenues are lined with small shops, tea houses and street vendors. Wander down the side alleys to discover hidden shops (and better prices).

Even if you’re only window shopping, Insadong is fun way to spend an afternoon in busy Seoul. You’ll find Korean souvenirs like traditional crafts, tea, pottery, calligraphy items and art supplies and antiques.

Flying Wooden Pig (날으는 목각 돼지) / CC BY-SA 2.0

Want to get an idea of what Korean souvenir treasures wait for you in Insadong? We’ve curated a photo gallery of some of the best shopping in Insadong–

Layers of colorful beads line the walls of this shop. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Butterfly pins in every color. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Traditional wooden Korean masks. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Traditional Korean shop. IMGP5155 / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Art supplies. Oh Janaewatneungga (tea house) in Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Not sure what these are– pipes? Seoul – 110925 / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Carved figurines. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Hand-crafted figurines. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Calligraphy supplies and brushes. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Buddha statues. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Traditional korean figurines. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Wooden horse book ends. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Silver spoons. Insadong (Arts and Crafts District) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Colorful assortment of boxes. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Decorative crafts to hang. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

A storefront in Insadong displays dolls and drums. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Pouches and wooden boxes. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Traditional paper (hanji). Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Jade. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Korean candy. Insadong / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Calligraphy brushes. Untitled / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Plush toys. Seoul – 110925 / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Angry shiny pigs. IMG_1393 / CC BY-SA 2.0

Costume jewelry and glittery trinkets. Trinkets / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Traditional Korean crafts. Korean Gyubang Gongyae Crafts / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

Owl figurines. IMG_1659 / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

Have you shopped in Insadong before?  Tell us about your favorite treasures in the comments below!

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