The Ultimate Seoul Hanok Day: Unhyeongung History, Ikseondong Vibe, and Where to Find the Best Bakery

A Short Stop at Unhyeongung Palace

On the way from Bukchon to Ikseon-dong, we made a peaceful stop at Unhyeongung Palace (운현궁) — a lesser-known but historically rich site in central Seoul.
"Unhyeongung was once the residence of Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong, who ruled Korea during the late Joseon Dynasty.
It’s where the young king grew up before ascending to the throne, making the site deeply symbolic in Korean royal history."

Although much smaller today due to urban development, the remaining structures are beautifully preserved, with quiet courtyards, a small museum, and shaded resting areas.

Despite being surrounded by modern buildings, stepping inside felt like entering a different world — calm, timeless, and unexpectedly serene.
There are clean restrooms and benches, so it’s also a perfect place to take a short break between walks.

👉 Opening: 9am - 6pm (closed on Monday) - if a public holiday is on Monday, Tuesday will also be closed.

Distant view of Unhyeongung palace, showing a small museum on the left and the traditional roofline of Irodang behind a fence.

A distant view of Unhyeongung Palace. The quiet roof of Irodang and the small Unhyeongung Museum are visible on the left.

Visitor amenities in the main area of Unhyeongung, including restrooms, tables, and benches for guests.

Take a break during your palace tour. The main area provides clean restrooms and comfortable benches and tables for visitors

Roof and eaves of an Unhyeongung building visible over the top of a traditional Hanok stone wall.

The beautiful lines of the traditional Hanok roof are visible over the ancient palace wall of Unhyeongung.

Sign for Unhyeongung Norakdang, the main inner quarters used for important family and formal events.

Unhyeongung Norakdang Sign- Norakdang, the most central and important building, served as the main Anchae (women's quarters) for royal family ceremonies, including King Gojong's wedding.

Small wooden gate leading into the Norakdang inner quarters, a quiet and secluded traditional Hanok entrance.

A classic, small gate to the Norakdang complex

Rear view of the Norakdang building at Unhyeongung, showing the quiet, private space of the inner residence.

The quiet backside of Norakdang

Front view of the majestic Norakdang building at Unhyeongung, showcasing the imposing traditional Hanok exterior.

The Front view of Norakdang - just behind Norakdang, you can spot the white Unhyeongung Yanggwan.

Hanok architecture of Unhyeongung Norakdang under a blue sky, highlighting the beautiful eaves and colorful Dancheong paintwork.

Walking slowly through Norakdang. The harmony of the blue sky and the eaves (Cheoma) of the Hanok creates a stunning view.

Sign for Unhyeongung Irodang in Seoul, a closed 'ㅁ' shaped structure that served as the inner quarters for women

Unhyeongung Irodang Sign - Irodang served as another main women’s quarters, connected to Norakdang by a corridor. It's closed, 'ㅁ'-shaped structure protected the privacy of the royal women.

View of the Irodang Hanok in Seoul building at Unhyeongung, a serene and elegant scene of the traditional inner residence.

The View of Irodang - A serene and elegant view of the Irodang Hanok.

👀Tip: Must-Visit K-Drama Filming Location

The iconic Western-style building right next to Unhyeongung Palace, known as Duksung Women’s University Yanggwan, served as the set for K-dramas like The Palace (궁) and Goblin (Dokkaebi). It's a perfect spot for a K-Drama pilgrimage and beautiful Seoul photo opportunities. Although geographically close, it operates as a separate, independent property and has no direct connecting access to the main Unhyeongung Complex.

From Bukchon to Ikseon-dong

After visiting Bukchon Hanok Village, we walked toward Ikseon-dong Hanok Street (익선동 한옥거리).
You can get there in about 30 minutes on foot, or simply take the Subway Line 3 from Anguk Station to Jongno 3-ga Station (Exit 4).

As soon as you come out of Exit 4, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of Ikseon-dong’s charming maze of hanok alleys — filled with cafés, restaurants, and small shops that reinterpret traditional Korean architecture in a modern way.

While Bukchon focuses more on history and the preservation of residential hanok, Ikseon-dong is about creative commercial revival. This perfect contrast makes these two neighbourhoods complement each other beautifully.

💛 If you loved the historic charm of Unhyeongung and the traditional feel of Ikseondong, you must visit another iconic area! Check out our detailed guide on the beautiful and much larger scale of Bukchon Hanok Village right [Here].

A souvenir shop on Ikseondong Hanok street; a blue artificial tree and red roses blend harmoniously with the traditional Hanok building.

Ikseondong Props Shop - A charming vintage props store in Ikseondong. The harmony of the green tree and red roses against the traditional Hanok exterior creates an Instagrammable Aesthetic.

Lively restaurant street inside Ikseondong Hanok Street in Seoul, featuring many popular eateries in a bustling alley.

Ikseondong Hanok Street - Restaurants and pubs line the alleyways of Ikseondong. This lively Hanok Street, bustling even during the day, is a top-rated Seoul date course.

Start of Ikseondong Hanok Street, marking the starting point of the street lined with elegant traditional houses.

The quaint entry point to the popular Ikseondong Hanok Street blends tradition with modern charm.

Bustling street in Ikseondong Hanok Street, filled with restaurants and pubs and active with people even during the day.

The Bustling and hip food alley of Ikseondong Hanok Street

Narrow alleyway in Ikseondong Hanok Village crowded with people during a busy weekend outing.

The narrow Hanok alleyways are packed with visitors.

General view of Ikseondong Hanok Street, a famous Seoul spot where tradition and modernity harmonise.

Enjoy the atmosphere of the Hanok alleys and find excellent restaurants, pubs, and cafes all in one place. No need to look elsewhere!

Cafe Stop: SonasaltPond — The Salt Bread Specialty

Among the countless cafes in Ikseon-dong, one spot caught us purely by scent — SonasaltPond.
This cozy bakery-café is inspired by salt fields and storage sheds, and it specialises in salt bread (소금빵).

Inside, the space is divided into two sections: the left side for ordering and displaying the bread, and the right side for seating.
It’s not a big cafe, so if you visit during busy hours, finding a seat might be tricky — but it’s worth it.

Their signature plain salt bread (₩3,000) was soft, chewy, and perfectly seasoned — not too salty, just right.
We also tried the pistachio salt bread (₩5,300), filled with pistachio cream, and the corn crunch salt bread (₩4,000), a limited-time flavour.

If you plan to visit, note that popular items often sell out by noon (10:00–12:30) — so going early is recommended.
The smell of freshly baked pastries alone makes it irresistible.

Ikseondong Hanok alley scene showing the street with the 'Sonasalt Pond' cafe sign visible on the right.

Sonasalt Pond Cafe is located on the right.

Exterior of Sonasalt Pond cafe in Ikseondong, a salt bread specialist with unique salt-farm concept decorations.

Sonasalt Pond Cafe - Specialising in Salt Bread. This unique themed café is decorated faithfully to a salt farm concept, offering a novel experience.

Interior of Sonasalt Pond cafe in Ikseondong, decorated to resemble a salt warehouse with salt sacks.

Inside Sonasalt Pond - The interior features salt bags and a design reminiscent of a salt warehouse, maximising the unique concept

Three signature salt breads from Sonasalt Pond cafe: plain, pistachio, and the limited-edition corn crunch salt bread.

Three delicious Salt Breads perfect for sharing: The classic Plain Salt Bread, nutty Pistachio Salt Bread, and the limited-time flavour, Corn Crunch Salt Bread.

The Charm of Ikseon-dong Hanok Street

Unlike Bukchon, where quiet alleys and residents create a calm atmosphere, Ikseon-dong buzzes with energy and creativity.
Small hanok houses have been transformed into boutiques, cocktail bars, dessert cafes, and concept stores — each with a unique style.

Even without a map, simply wandering through its narrow alleys is the best way to experience Ikseon-dong.
Every turn hides a new spot — from minimalist cafes to vibrant art shops.

The contrast between Unhyeongung’s royal calm and Ikseon-dong’s lively vibe made this route a perfect way to feel both the heritage and modern spirit of Seoul in one afternoon.

Must-Visit Spots - Unhyeongung & Ikseondong Hanok Street

Location	Access	Highlight	Recommendation
Unhyeongung Palace	Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 3) Exit 4	Historic residence of Heungseon Daewongun; peaceful, quiet courtyard	Drama Filming Location: Duksung Women’s University Yanggwan
Ikseon-dong Hanok Street	Same station Exit 4	Modern hanok street full of cafés, pubs, restaurants and boutique shops	Try SonasaltPond for salt bread

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.

Reviews Daily Life