Ssamzigil Seoul: Insadong’s Artsy Shopping Mall & Craft Haven
Ssamzigil Seoul is Insadong’s spiraling open-air shopping mall with boutique businesses, galleries, cafes, and craft workshops. Artisan stores sell handmade souvenirs, traditional gifts, and accessories supporting small local businesses by artists.
A spiraling mall with glowing lights.
Cute, colorful shops around every corner.
A rooftop cafe overlooking 4 stories of quaint artisanal shops.
Roam with me to a boutique marketplace (also known as Ssamziegil or 쌈지길) to browse some small businesses, art shops, and craft stores.
Ready to shop in spirals in Insadong, Seoul?
Then, let’s roam!
More Things To Do In Seoul
Ssamzigil Things To Do
Try A Craft Workshop Or Class
Make Handmade Items
There are many arts and crafts workshops you can take here:
Some crafts workshops do have time slots. Not all are drop-in.
So I’d sightsee Ssamziegil first to ensure the classes I want are set, then explore the rest of Insadong.
You can tell which shops have classes by which ones have large tables to work on.
Visit The Gallery
Below the mall, underground, is a neat gallery. It’s a bit easy to miss.
The stairs leading to the basement 1 level are located off to the side towards the center of the ground floor.
Hide And Seek Escape Room
If you’re looking for Squid Game action and thrills, check out the Hide and Seek escape room.
It’s in basement level 2.
You’ll know you’re there when you see the neon pink and blue lights.
I recommend gathering the chingus for some fun times.
Let the games begin!
Explore Boutique Shops
artist stores, music boxes, & traditional souvenirs
This shopping center is known for boutique shops and hand-crafted items.
It has over 70 stores in the main building in total.
Handmade Diffuser & Candlemaker Shop
The candles smelled so good!
The bottles above hold handmade fragrances used in diffusers, air fresheners, or pocket perfumes you can put in your purse.
Each number on the label represents a different scent. Notes were listed on the card.
Photo Zones
While walking up the mall, I found designated areas for snapping photos.
The photo zones on the rooftop have a bunch of cute installations and props, especially around the cherry blossom season or Christmas time.
Coffee At A Rooftop Cafe
Poop Cafe (Novelty Coffeeshop)
There’s a quirky Poop Cafe on the fourth-floor rooftop.
You can sip coffee from a lovely toilet-shaped mug…
Yum!
And, of course, gigantic toilet-shaped bowls serve chocolate ice cream and sweet potato shaved ice.
I’d say the drinks, bingsu, and ice cream tasted all right (nothing out of the ordinary). However, I went more for the novelty experience.
The views from the large glass windows looking out to the plaza were relaxing, too.
But I do not recommend the food here. The pasta and rice dishes were a letdown.
Overall, it’s a fun visit but not a must-visit.
What To Do and See: Floor Guide
Ssamzigil Seoul Travel Tips
Opening Hours
Entrance Fee
How To Get There
Subway Stations
Insider Tip
A one-minute walk from Ssamzi-gil is a restaurant called Doma Insadong.
They cook a mean braised beef short ribs, soybean paste stew, leek pancakes, and grilled mackerel.
It’s an excellent place for a Korean lunch or dinner if you’re in Insadong.
I prefer eating at Doma rather than the mall’s own restaurant and cafe.
Address
Map
Prices Are More Expensive
The prices at the shopping center are more expensive than the rest of Seoul.
This is partly due to being in a prime tourist location.
Some items, I think, were overpriced. But the prices were similar to that of a traditional department store.
Either way, if you want to avoid corporate chain stores, it’s the ideal place to browse small businesses in Seoul.
The Mall Is A Pokemon Go Gym
This mall is a popular Pokemon Go gym to visit amongst players.
You can collect rare Pokemon in this area, especially during city promotions.
These are in-person events where you get a ticket from the game’s app. Visiting a set of landmarks gives players merchandise and shinies. It’s like a gamified travel guide.
One event in 2023 was the Pokemon Go City Safari. They gave out visors at Ssamzi-gil upon completion.
I’d also keep an eye on convenience stores like 7-11 and C2U that also have promotions in Seoul.
My Ssamzigil Photo Diary
Photos Of The Building & Rooftop
Artist Shops, Candlemakers, & Music Boxes
Rest Area, Bench, & Gazebo Photos
My Closing Thoughts
Best for the art and shopping lovers
This attraction is best for the artsy and shopping crowd.
I think if you’re not into crafting, cute items, and shopping, then Ssamziegil might not be your cup of tea.
However, there is a fun Hide and Seek escape room and cool workshops to try, like stamp making, at Insadong’s Ssamzigil, Seoul.
