Buam-dong(부암동) is a neighborhood located just a few bus stops further in from Seochon(서촌). Personally, just as I started loving Yeonhui-dong(연희동) after trying to escape the bustling crowds of Hongdae(홍대) and Yeonnam-dong(연남동), Buam-dong is a place I fell in love with while seeking a refuge from the busyness of Seochon. While it might be slightly inconvenient in terms of transportation as it takes a bit more time to get there, I highly recommend it if you want to experience a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere that feels just a step away from the city.
There are so many places I want to share: Gyeyeolsa(계열사), famous for its fresh fried chicken and spicy sea snail salad with noodles(골뱅이무침); Club Espresso, located right across from it; and two must-visit dumpling spots—Cheonjin Pocha (천진포차) and Jaha Sonmandoo(자하손만두); SCOFF, a famous British-style bakery; and Rue de la Loose, which has been gaining a lot of word-of-mouth lately. Not to mention Seokpajeong(석파정) and the Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum(윤동주문학관). I’ll introduce these one by one later, but today, I want to share a day where I happened to stop by Jogyesa Temple(조계사) on my way from Buam-dong to Myeong-dong.
If you are using public transportation (depending on your starting point), you will inevitably have to take a bus from either Seoul Station (Line 1), City Hall Station (Line 2), Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), or Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). You will arrive in Buam-dong by passing through the Jahamun Tunnel (자하문터널) and getting off across from the Seokpajeong Seoul Museum of Art (석파정 서울미술관), or by passing Gyeongbok High School(경복고등학교) and climbing the winding hill to get off at the Buam-dong Community Service Center(부암동 주민센터).
Nimonic Coffee House
- Address: 1F, 236 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 09:00 – 20:00 (Closed on Mondays)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimoniccoffee
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
I got off across from the Seokpajeong Seoul Museum of Art after passing the Jahamun Tunnel. I wanted to walk a bit, so I explored the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood, but after getting tired from the rather steep hills, I returned to the main road. While debating which cafe to visit, I stepped into “Nimonic Coffee House.” Every time I passed by, I was curious about this place because of its arched windows and the large tree right in front of them, and I felt like now was the perfect timing to go in.
Jazz was flowing inside the cafe, and I sat by the window sipping my coffee. If I hadn’t brought my laptop, I probably would have sat outside. The weather was just that perfect. The view from inside the cafe, looking out at the big tree through the window, was absolutely beautiful. The coffee was quite good, too. They had many types of brownies and cookies, which I plan to try next time.
+ On the 2nd floor of this same building, there is a pottery shop and small cafe called “Zedo(제도)” It features bar-style seating where you can drink coffee served in a traditional ceramic flask (호리병/horibyeong). I heard their pudding is delicious. I wanted to visit here as well if I had time, but I had to save it for my next visit.
Zedo Buam (제도 부암)
- Address: 2F, 236 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 12:00 – 20:00 (Closed on Mondays)
- Official Website: https://www.zedoceramic.com/
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map
On my way to Myeong-dong, I took the 1020 bus from the Buam-dong Community Service Center and was supposed to transfer at the Anguk-dong Crossing(안국동사거리). Actually, there are quite a few routes from Buam-dong to Myeong-dong, but on weekends like Saturdays, there are often rallies around Gwanghwamun, which can cause buses to take detours. If you use public transportation, I highly recommend checking Naver Map in real-time to find the best route.
After getting off at Anguk-dong Crossing, I realized I had to wait about 15 minutes for the next bus, so I started looking around. To my left, I could see the Seoul Museum of Craft Art and the Yeollin Songhyeon Green Plaza(Like a Local in Gahoe-dong & Samcheong-dong: A 5-Hour Route for Mandu, Craft Museum, and Cafes) in the distance. To my right was Jogyesa Temple, decorated with colorful lanterns ahead of Buddha’s Birthday in May. Naturally, I found myself walking toward the temple.
Jogyesa Temple (조계사)
- Address: 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Official Website: https://www.jogyesa.kr/eng/index.php
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map
Jogyesa is the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Since its predecessor, Gakhwangsa Temple, was founded in the center of Jongno in 1910, it has served as a spiritual refuge for Buddhists for over a hundred years, symbolizing the “Number One Temple of Korean Buddhism.”
As a place where you can experience a Buddhist temple right in the heart of Seoul, it is already quite famous among foreign tourists. For reference, besides Jogyesa, there are other notable temples in Seoul like Bongeunsa(봉은사) in Gangnam, Jingwansa(진관사) in Eunpyeong-gu, and Gilsangsa(길상사) in Seongbuk-gu.
Since Buddha’s Birthday falls in May every year, small events start from April. In May, The Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회/Yeon Deung Hoe) takes place, featuring a parade from Dongdaemun Stadium to Jogyesa Temple, which is definitely worth checking out.
Stepping inside Jogyesa and watching the lanterns sway in the gentle breeze was a truly healing and wonderful experience. I ended up letting a few buses go by while spending time there before finally heading to Myeong-dong. For reference, you can take bus 162 from the Anguk-dong Crossing stop in front of Jogyesa to get to Myeong-dong.
Safe travels, Soy Kim
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