'Gyeongin Art Museum-Jeontongdawon(Dawon: traditional tea house)' is located in a kind of a secret place on the streets of Insa-dong. It has been loved by Koreans and foreigners even before the Internet was available. It's like adding art and tea to the hanok(Korean traditional house). It's a place where the atmosphere and scenery are so beautiful that it's not just a cafe.
I can hear birds chirping even before I step in.
And as I step in, I feel like I am walking in a small forest, not in the middle of a city.
As the name 'Gyeongin Art Museum', it consists of a total five exhibition halls - atelier, outdoor exhibition hall, outdoor garden, and traditional tea house. It is also an art space where exhibitions and various art events are held constantly. In particular, the Hanok Exhibition Hall, which was designated as Local Cultural Heritage No.16, was the residence of Park Young-hyo, who made the Taegeukgi. (Currently donated to Namsangol Hanok Village and the current thirt exhibition hall was rebuilt)
On the day I visited, two exhibition halls were on display. Mostly it's free. It's a place where you can enjoy your five senses, isn't it?
Inside the antique Hanok, there is a traditional tea house.
It feels like I am visiting a nobleman's drawing room. Both of floor and chairs are available, so convenience and atmosphere are satisfying.
As it's a popular attraction for foreigners, the menu is also in multiple languages. It's not only a menu name but also a detailed description of the menu. It will be useful because most of their items are traditional tea and snacks that we are not familiar with.
In front of the counter, there are lingzhi mushroom and medicinal herbs on display. If you are visiting here with foreigners, it could be another interesting topic of conversation.
Both teaware and dishes are made of lacquerware, pottery, and wood to add the traditional atmosphere. I ordered ssanghwa tea(black herbal tea), jujube tea, and yugwa(deep fried sweet rice cakes), which are the most popular items.
The combination of the refreshments and the scenery outside of the window makes me feel like the history of this place is talking to me. How many cups of tea reflect the landscape?
Ssanghwa tea has the flavor of dark herbal medicine. The subtle sweetness of licorice and jujube neutralizes its bitterness. It may be a little burdensome if you drink only ssanghwa tea, but the yugwa, dried persimmons, and yakgwa(cookies made with flour, sesame oil, honey, rice wine, cinnamon and ginger juice) are so sweet that they go well together.
Jujube tea, which warms our body, is full of jujube fruit meat. There's too much jujube in it and it's quite sweet. I ordered ssanghwa tea and jujube tea to warm myself up on a chilly day, but on a hot day, it would be perfect for a cool omija(fruit of schisandra chinensis) tea.
*Teas are very hot. Watch out for burns.
The yugwa set is at a reasonable price and a good composition, so I think it would be good for up to 3~4 people. It will also be a very unique experience for foreigners. Especially, walnut wrapped in dried persimmons are not easy to experience and tastes very nice.
One of the tables is covered with glass, and there are traces of visitors from various people, and it's fun to read. It will be a personal history to leave a small record and come back again.
You will get a chance to see birds up close while enjoying tea.
Even their business card looks like a nice piece of art. I often visit this place when I visit Insa-dong. If you haven't been there yet, make sure to visit this secret garden hidden in the city.
- Food ★★★★☆
Korean traditional tea and snacks gives a deep taste
- Cleanliness ★★★☆☆
I could see a little untidy
- Service ★★★☆☆
Average
- Ambience ★★★★★
A fairyland in a city. A rare space where you can drink tea and even see artworks.
- Accessibility ★★★★☆
Walk five minutes from exit 5 of Anguk Station on line 3. The path is simple but slightly hidden in the alley.
- Open Hours: 10:00~18:00
- Recommending for 1~4. You can meditate when you are alone, and you can make good memories when you are with friends.
- Recommending: ssanhwa tea, jujube tea, omija tea and every traditional tea, yugwa set
- Value: 6,000~8,000 won
- Amenities: Separated restroom by gender(outdoor), Wifi
Address: 11-4 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
