Containers are an important part of our lives. We need them and when the words “containers” and “Korea” come to mind, kimchi is normally the first image that appears. Go to any apartment rooftop or countryside farm and I promise, you’ll find one of those ubiquitous pickling jars. But I’m going in a different direction and probably to a location you wouldn’t immediately think about. Thinking of Containers brought me to images Christina shot of Seoul’s Insadong teacups that we discovered while walking through that wonderful neighborhood.
Visiting Insadong in Seoul
This Seoul travel guide is part of our series on South Korea Travel and East Asia Travel. It was originally created on July 24, 2014. It has been maintained and updated (as of December 28, 2018) to reflect current viewpoints and travel trends.
Getting to Insadong
Courtesy of Korea Tourism
Insadong can be reached either from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) via Exit 6 or via Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1) by following Exit 3. More adventurous travelers can get there by bus and have quite a few options. Any buses headed towards Jongno 2-ga or Jongno Police Station will get you there.
For Jongno 2-ga, take any of these: 101, 103, 143, 150, 160, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 273, 370, 408, 470,
471, 601, 708, 710, 720, and 721.
And for Jongno Police Station, any of these buses will do: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 601,6011, and 708.
Teahouses are pretty easy to spot so keep an eye out and you’ll find something. Enjoy Seoul and Insadong, my friends.
Busy City
We once took a trip to the DMZ during an especially cold winter a few years back and afterward, went back to Seoul for the remainder of Lunar New Year. Korea’s capital is magnificent in more ways than one can describe, with so much to offer. However, the clogged subways and towering buildings might throw off country bumpkins like me.
No matter the place in Seoul, it’s guaranteed to be crowded on weekend afternoons. After a visit or two to this monstrosity of a city, we remember to wake up early in order to beat the crowds. Seoul’s Insadong neighborhood is a famous district known as a one-stop shop for more traditional and sometimes tacky Korean souvenirs.
Tourists from all over flock to Insadong to find something to take back home and show that they really saw Korea, even if all their photos are of this uber-developed megacity. Food stalls line the narrow roads cutting through the neighborhood with vendors shouting at tourists in whatever language they assume the passersby might speak.
Insadong and Tea
Insadong fits in nicely for those interested in spending lots of money or just walking around through a quaint-looking neighborhood tucked inside the cosmopolitan surroundings of the ultramodern Seoul. But we come to this place with one thing in mind. Having read about Insadong and tea houses there, we’ve decided to stop by one before heading back home.
Reviews might point to this place or that one but honestly, our concerns lay more with consuming some delicious herbal goodness. Inside one of these places, I feel time rewind to an era before the Han Miracle. Old and rustic walls surrounded the creaky wooden floors that we carefully walked on so as not to make a fuss upon entry. Though the shop is compact, not entirely spacious, and vulnerable to my clumsy big feet, it’s comfortable and keeps us happy for a good part of the afternoon.
Along the wall, these gorgeous porcelain teacups stand as decoration. Two distinct ceramic designs are placed on the table with almost equally delicious brews. My hand dips the spoon in and stirs the cinnamon jujube (date) to test for thickness before having a sip. It is estimated to help as a traditional remedy but that’s not on my mind right now. Christina’s apricot tea also proves nice with flavor outweighing its purported benefits towards eyesight.
Aside from the warmth and palette-pleasing nature of these beverages on such a cold day in Seoul, the feeling of my hands against that cup fill my inner sensory with nostalgia. Outside, the streets are getting busier and the noise levels rises by the minute. Traffic on the streets has started on its course towards the rush hour fever pitch. Chaos is brewing but inside this small establishment, I hold the teacup and feel it while enjoying the delicious creation inside.
Quiet Teacups
After these quiet moments enjoying the drinks and talking, we’ll pay and head towards the nearest bus terminal. Though we’ve been back to Seoul on numerous occasions, Insadong has never even approached the radar on places to visit. I’m not really sure why. Those teacups are still on my mind along with that image of the porcelain ones lining those windows.
Our Thoughts and Yours, Too!
What is it about an image invoking memories? The peace of that tea house along with those cups occupy a strange part of my life. We were still “new” to Korea, not even a year in and still learning about the place. The containers found on that day were not the only ones that come to mind when thinking of this country but for me, they occupy a special spot. One where a momentary escape from the cold and Seoul’s hurry-hurry nature was possible.
I love a good cup of tea but I’m not familiar with the Korean variants so will look forward to adding this to my itinerary when we finally make it over.
Thanks for the comment! I highly recommend a visit to Insadong in Seoul if you’re only able to visit the capital. Boseong is great if you want massive teafields and Hadong has some great history behind its blend! Do it all if you can:)
My cousin just returned from Korea and I need to ask him about the tea cups. I am not big on tea but I have heard about their beautiful cups. Your question is interesting, about how an image invokes memory. Something I was having a discussion with my friends about last week. Just one of the intricacies of a brain.
Was your cousin here traveling? I bet they have some stories for sure!
The cups here are usually pretty bland, especially the water ones. Just metal and really no character. Having tea in that shop was one of the few times I’ve held one of those gorgeous and well-crafted cups.
Thanks for commenting. I hope your cousin has lots of fun tales to tell.
Thank you for sharing so beautifully> I could see myself there with you. I LOVE a god cup of tea and like you the tactile experience… the feel of the actual cup in my hand, the way it feels as it touches my lips.. it’s such an important part of the experience.. the sights and smells that permeate equally mesmerizing… I love moments such as this one that leave a permanent imprint on your mind, and in a flash you find yourself back in that very moment, relishing all the little details.. so simple, yet so powerful!
I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much for stopping by.
A real tea house sounds good. I love those cups.
Thanks Mina!
Hi Carl. I loved how precise your description of the tea house was. It really made me feel like I was there. I’m not a huge tea drinker, but it seems like it would be a treat to have a cup of tea in a real tea house. By the way, I loved your pictures, especially the one where you can actually see the steam rising from the cup. Very cool.
Thank you for your comment. It was a great place to visit for a cup and a break from the crowds.
This appealed to me on two levels. First, you mentioned kimchi, which I enjoy with poached salmon. Then you lured the alternative health advocate in me with the tea, herbs, and tasty, natural medicine. I’ve intended to buy a tea set for years. I like your story!
Thank you for your comment. It was a memorable day and thinking back to those cups really brought me back.
Among the nostalgia felt when holding those teacups and the soothing properties from the tea, the one thing I couldn’t help but think was how, more than likely, all of those containers were made by hand. Someone else’s hands helped shape and create those cups – those containers. I can’t imagine how connecting it must feel to be immersed into another culture with that much nostalgia in your hands. No wonder the images conjure up memories…A great story.
Thank you so much for your comment. It’s hard to find in this fast-paced society so moments like that day in the teahouse are worth the memory.
I am a tea drinker. I like all kinds, but I had no idea that apricot tea is supposed to help you see better!
Yeah, same here. Koreans love promoting the teas based on whatever health benefits they possess. Thanks for commenting!
What a truly evocative post. It conjures up all kinds of memories for me. I’m gradually exploring more types of tea, but I’ve always been a sucker for soup broth, the containers it comes in, as well as the act of slurping it all up.
I also love soup!
The containers are an important part of the experience. Yes, I’m guilty of drinking wine out of a coffee cup but when something is decorative and fancy, it’s better in my opinion.
Thanks for commenting!
I’ve not had an opportunity to visit this part of the world. What I love about what you said is there appears to be something very intriguing and fun about drinking local teas. Add special cups in a special place and you have an all around great experience. 🙂
Thank you, Susan. I think that if you take away any of those things mentioned, the experience just isn’t the same.
Seoul is also on my list of places to go. Sounds like it was a nice moment.
It certainly was a nice moment. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
It’s so easy to overlook everyday humble vessels, and I love how you’ve pictured and described these. Anyone with a taste for a good cup of tea or coffee can relate to the feel of the cup in their hands. Reading this, I really felt that moment of quiet you enjoyed before stepping out into the street.
Thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate your comment. It was truly worth it stepping into that shop. Really changed our day for the better. Plus, I’ve gotten the chance to receive nice comments from people like you. For that, I’m grateful!
That sounds like a really nice moment, cupping your cup of tea. I’m glad you took the time to appreciate it and that you now remember it vividly. The teas sound delicious, and really interesting! 🙂
It was great! I really want to go back. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Carl,
We have never been to Seoul, but living on the west coast makes the prospect easier to consider.
To answer your question, “What is it about an image invoking memories?,” I think those tea cups are memory containers that warm your insides on the thought of them. Beautiful post.
Kind Regards,
Bill
Getting here took forever, and that was from the Atlantic Coast. Getting out of the U.S. takes forever. You’re lucky to live out west. Thanks Bill.
I am on the list of I have never been to Seoul but want to visit someday. And I found this lovely story very heart warming…as soothing as the tea you described. Interesting that the containers evoke the memories. I love that:)
Thank you Jacquie. I hope you get to visit someday. It’s a fine city. I’d recommend seeing the whole country though. So many places to visit in such a small country.
It is strange what jars our memories back to very specific places in time. Music does that for everyone. As you point out though the trigger can be anything; even containers. The best thing about this is the jolt from present day to past when the trigger is let fly.
Music is a great, sometimes bad trigger for me. Triggers can work like a time machine. Sometimes they are unexpected.
First, I love tea, and recently have come to enjoy coffee again. The very thought of the smell, taste and positive feelings it evokes drew me to your post. And, of course your writing brought all that up! Thanks.
I love tea. It just lends itself to quiet calm. When I lived in San Francisco, I enjoyed the Japanese Tea Garden which was near our home. I can imagine that Korea might house such places. And having beautiful cups for the tea would be an added pleasure.
Thank you Beth!
Seoul is on my list of places to visit. Being that you are still considered new, how much of this city have you learned about? Are new things about it popping up every time you visit?
I’ve been to Seoul quite a few times and yeah, it’s always different on each visit. Though I tend to stick to the Hongdae area now that I’ve found it. It’s a big college area full of foreign stuff but with a less sleazy vibe than the military area around Itaewon. If you want to see the better parts of Seoul, Insa Dong and Myeong Dong are the places to go for shopping. People seem to enjoy hanging out around the Han River. That’ll be the next place I want to check out when in town. Seoul is a city with so much for all who visit. Just do some research if you plan to visit because it can be quite overwhelming.
I’m going to chime in and agree that there is something very soothing about drinking tea, indeed. I’ve never been to Seoul either (but it is on my bucket list).
Michele
Hi Michele, I hope you get to visit Seoul at some point. It’s a fascinating city but maybe not truly representative of the whole country. Still a great starting point though!
I have not yet been to this part of the world, but as Donna says, there is something restful, satisfying and intriguing about drinking local teas from special cups in special places.
Thank you Doreen! Tea is the best, after coffee of course:)
Your photos of the cups are inviting and do remind me of a peaceful place. There is something restful and rejuvenating about a cup of tea.
Thanks Donna. I’m reading your comment just as I’m about to have a cup of some rejuvenating green tea. Such a refreshing drink!