In this chapter, we would like to introduce Yongnidan-gil in Yongsan, the center of Seoul and one of the 4th generation hot places.
The 4th generation hot place is an urban regeneration type hot place in the old city center that started in a neighborhood that was old and old and was not redeveloped well and was restricted as a development restricted area for reasons such as palaces, parks, and U.S. military bases.
All hot places created since the 2010s are here. It can be seen as applicable
1. Historical context of Yongridan-gil
Yongridan-gil is formed in a back alley leading from Sinyongsan Station on Subway Line 4 to Samgakji Station. Before going to Yongridan-gil, let’s start by learning about Yongsan historically. Yongsan-gu in Seoul has played an important role in Korean history, with many historical events taking place here. The region's history has seen many changes through its role as an important center of the country.
- Joseon Dynasty: During the Joseon Dynasty, the Yongsan region played an important role as the center of the country. This area was home to several royal gardens, of which the ‘Wonreung’ located at Namsan and Yongsan were particularly important. Wonreung is one of the places representing the importance of the Joseon Dynasty, as it contains the tomb of Crown Prince Munjeong, the second son of King Sejong.
- Japanese Colonial Period: During the Japanese colonial period, Yongsan was used as a major military base. As the Japanese army occupied the area, Yongsan Station became an important military hub. This change reflects Yongsan's transformation into a major military base for the Japanese army during the East Asian War. Yongsan Station was the place where Korean workers gathered at the time. It is said that over 1 million young Koreans were mobilized for forced conscription.
- Korean War and After: After the Korean War, Yongsan was used as a US military base. It is a symbol of the ROK-US alliance and has played an important role in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula. However, in 2003, the US and South Korean governments announced plans to relocate the US military base in Yongsan, and the area has been gradually developed since then. This has transformed Yongsan into an international luxury residential area.
- Present: Currently, Yongsan has been transformed into a commercial and residential area with large shopping malls, luxury residential complexes, and international restaurants and stores. It is also known as an area where various cultures and races coexist, like Itaewon. This is the view of Yongridan-gil, which has emerged as a hot place in Yongsan, following Itaewon, Gyeongnidan-gil, and Haebangchon.
The government's urban transformation plan is creating an atmosphere where existing streets are being reborn, rather than the Yongsan Maintenance Depot site or Yongsan Park returned by the United States. The Yongridan-gil commercial district began to form in earnest with the construction of Amore Pacific's new headquarters near Shinyongsan Station in 2017, and old single-family homes, multi-family homes, and commercial buildings are concentrated among the fancy buildings, including large-scale apartment complexes, new officetels, and residential-commercial complexes nearby. It was a place that had become a slum.
2. Gourmet experience along Yongridan-gil
Yongridan-gil is like a painting in itself, but that alone is not enough to capture all the charms of this place. This street is also famous for its delicious food, with a variety of cafes and restaurants serving everything from traditional Korean food to modern fusion cuisine.
There are many restaurants serving traditional Korean food along Yongridan-gil. You can taste spicy pork ribs, soft tofu stew, fresh seafood and green onion pancakes, and more. These traditional foods help us understand the life, culture, and history of the Korean people.
- Mongtan: This place is famous for its grilled straw grills and Udae ribs where you can experience the taste of fire. This restaurant is already well-known through the media. The ribs are so thick and large that the visuals are overwhelming, and the taste is also excellent.
Reservations can only be made by phone from 10 a.m., and group reservations for 6 to 10 people are accepted on weekdays.
- Fishing Port Road: This is a retro seafood snack restaurant with a trendy feel with soft lighting and colorful neon signs. The combination of this retro atmosphere and snacks is highly recommended as a bar to visit. The seafood is fresh, the plating is pretty, and the main menu, aged raw fish, is as delicious as the omikase.
- Neungdong Water parsley: It is the best hot place in Yongsan, and the newest restaurant, Neungdong Water parsley, is a gomtang restaurant filled with water parsley.
The decorative table and picture frames decorated with ceramics next to the stairs give the interior a luxurious, old-fashioned feel, and the interior, which looks like old props, is made of country home tiles, giving you a cozy and comfortable feel. If you need to take care of your health with representative Korean dishes such as water parsley boiled in water, Neungdong water parsley gomtang, and water parsley stew, be sure to visit.
This street also has many restaurants serving modern fusion food. Chefs here create new flavors by mixing ingredients and recipes from traditional Korean and Western foods. These modern foods show Korea's present and future, and how Korea communicates with the world.
- Hyotteu: From the exterior to the interior with a Vietnamese feel, you can experience as if you were in Vietnam. We recommend eating at the outdoor tables. The interior is also decorated with locally sourced props, contributing to the Vietnamese atmosphere. We recommend the spicy seafood rice noodles as a signature dish.
- PPS: This is a restaurant with delicious handmade burgers. The interior is modern and neatly decorated, and there are a total of 33 menu items, including the Sambe Seed Cheese Burger and the Black Deluxe Burger. It is recommended to replace the French fries with carrot salad or corn salad. We recommend you experience the juiciness of the heavy patty that is unique to handmade burgers.
-Geogeo: This is a local restaurant with a Hong Kong feel where you can try a variety of stir-fried dishes, and the prices are not expensive. Salty foods are perfect as a side dish with beer, and although it is Hong Kong cuisine, it is a fusion of Korean taste.
You can enjoy a variety of coffees and desserts at many cafes along Yongridan-gil. In particular, cafes here serve hand-drip coffee, which is a must-try for coffee lovers. Additionally, the desserts here combine traditional Korean desserts with Western desserts to create a unique taste.
3. Tour the alleys of Yongridan-gil
If you come up to Yongnidan-gil from Exit 1 of Shinyongsan Station, you will see the Seoul Yongsan Post Office building, and if you go behind it, you will see Yongnidan-gil. During lunch time, there is a lot of traffic from nearby office workers, so it is recommended to avoid lunch time. There is a lot to see, from shops with hip murals to restaurants with stylish interiors, and although it is an alley where you can find food from all over the world, it is nice because it is not too crowded. Nearby is Taengttaeng Street, which was the filming location for the drama “My Uncle”. It is called Taengttaeng Street because a train passed by and made a clanging sound, and it is a famous date spot.
4. Cultural experience along Yongridan-gil
Lastly, Yongridan-gil has many alleys filled with things to see.
- Railroad Hall: There is a stone monument from the Goryeo Dynasty in the yard of the Railroad Hall. The name of the tower is Yeonboksa Tower Jungchang Monument. There was a large temple called Yeonboksa in Kaesong, the capital of Goryeo. After it was destroyed by fire during the Joseon Dynasty, it was rebuilt, and Yeonboksa still exists in Kaesong. During the Goryeo Dynasty, Yeonboksa Temple had a five-story pagoda, but it was destroyed by fire. King Taejo Lee Seong-gye, who founded the Joseon Dynasty, rebuilt the pagoda. To commemorate his merits, this monument was erected with the history of its construction.
- Yongsan Railway Hospital: Yongsan Railway Hospital, registered cultural property No. 428, was built in 1928 as the main building of the Seoul Clinic of the Railway Bureau and is a symbol of Yongsan, which was developed as a railway base during the Japanese colonial period. At the time, 8 departments with 52 beds provided medical treatment, and later Chung-Ang University Yongsan Hospital was located there. It has now been transformed into the Yongsan Station History Museum.
- Waegogae Shrine: This is where a total of 10 martyrs, including the seven who were martyred at Saenamteo during the Byeongin Persecution, were buried. It is significant as a place where martyred saints rested. Currently, it is the Armed Forces Central Cathedral and is a center for military pastoral care.
- Amore Pacific Headquarters: Amore Pacific headquarters building faces Yongsan Station. It was designed by world-renowned British architect David Chipperfield. It is characterized by a design inspired by Korean white porcelain moon jars. It is open to the public from the first basement level to the third floor, and is attracting attention as a cultural space in the Yongsan Station area. You can tour the art museum, Pacific Archives, etc. and enjoy a meal and tea, making it a great date spot.
- Gil Gallery Street: It was at its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, but now only dozens of galleries and picture frame shops remain. Artists we know well, such as Park Soo-geun and Lee Jung-seop, also passed through this place.
Yongridan-gil is a place full of charm that cannot be fully experienced in one visit. It will take several visits to experience its beautiful views, delicious food, and rich art and culture. For foreign tourists visiting Korea, Yongridan-gil is one of the must-visit attractions.
This concludes “Yongridan-gil; Yongsan’s Hot Places”