Town of lower class people

Located between two palaces, Bukchon was home to upper class families. But, lower class people also lived here.

Wonseo-dong refers to the western town of Huwon Garden of Changdeokgung Palace. Low-ranking officials and lower class people lived here for generations. This is why Gongbang-gil alley has a rustic atmosphere with small and old hanoks, old shops and craft workshops.

At the middle of the alley is the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, the academy where one studies royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. The royal cuisine is so historically valuable that it has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage. The institute was established by Hwang Hye-seong, who succeeded the last chief cuisine court lady of Joseon. The royal cuisine that appeared in the famous Korean soap opera “Daejanggeum” was all prepared here. It is interesting that the institute is located in Wonseo-dong, which is home to people who served royal families. Why not visit this place to learn about Korean royal cuisine?

At the end of the alley is “Wonseo-dong Washing Place”, where you can imagine the lives of ordinary people who did the laundry here. Clean water still flows from where it meets the wall of Changdeokgung Palace.