Over the weekend, I went out to Jingwansa Temple, which sits right at the edge of Eunpyeong Hanok Village. A close friend who passed away last year has a memorial lantern placed at this temple, and with the anniversary coming up, I wanted to go by and pay my respects. On the way back, We stopped by a nearby restaurant that had the most amazing views of Bukhansan Mountain and the hanok village.
Lunch at “1in 1sang”: A Place with a Special Story
For lunch, we went to a restaurant in Eunpyeong Hanok Village called 1in 1sang (1인1상), which literally means “One Table Per Person.” This place actually holds a really special place in my heart!
Over ten years ago, when this spot first opened, the owner was someone who used to work at my company! We weren’t close, but when I heard about the idea behind the restaurant through another coworker, I was blown away. Since the owner came from a background in advertising, the whole concept felt so clever and creative.
Instead of regular tables, they served each person their own meal set on a traditional Korean mini table called a Soban (소반). Even crazier, these weren’t just cheap wooden trays. They were high-end, handcrafted artisan pieces that cost a fortune, and buying them in huge quantities was such a bold move!
Back then, a friend asked me for a favor, so I helped connect the restaurant with a food magazine for a feature article. Because of that connection, I’ve always felt a soft spot for this place.
Visiting again after all these years, I noticed it has gotten so popular with foreign tourists. And honestly, I totally get why! With a breathtaking view and great food, how could anyone not love it?
The Unbeatable View From the Upper Floors
When you first walk in, the first floor is actually a coffee shop. Even if you aren’t staying for a full meal, you can grab coffee and traditional desserts on the 2nd and 3rd floors, while the 4th and 5th floors are set up for dining. So you don’t have to order food to enjoy the incredible view of Eunpyeong Hanok Village and Bukhansan Mountain.
Whenever I’m in the neighborhood, I often stop by the cafe area, 1in 1jan, just to grab a cup of coffee—the photo here is actually from a snowy day I visited! Besides the tasty traditional treats served on those cute little soban tables, another thing I love about this cafe is the interior design. They furnished the space with gorgeous Japanese Karimoku furniture, paired with soft, warm lighting that makes the whole place feel so cozy.
But going up to the higher floors for a meal after a long time reminded me that the view from way up there is on a whole different level!
Pure Healing: A Fresh Mountain Escape Right in Seoul
Eating a meal with a view like this feels so romantic! Even as a Korean, I find this scenery absolutely stunning and refreshing—I can’t help but wonder how mind-blowing it must feel for international travelers seeing traditional hanok architecture for the very first time.
If you come here early in the morning, the fresh mountain breeze hits you right away. Stepping out of the busy city and taking in all that clean, crisp air feels like instant therapy!
What makes this spot even better is that it’s really not far from central Seoul at all! It’s super easy to get to from trendy areas like Hongdae or Yeonhui-dong, yet the vibe is completely different. Having a peaceful, nature-filled escape so close to downtown is definitely one of Seoul’s coolest perks!
Here is what our food actually looked like! Everything came out so clean and beautifully arranged, with each plate fitting perfectly onto its own little soban tray.
Instead, they serve western-style fusion dishes with subtle Korean flavors mixed in. On this visit, I went with the chicken steak, which was super tender and flavorful. Other options included things like gochujang pasta, giving familiar pasta dishes a nice, slightly spicy Korean twist.
💡 Important Tips Before You Visit: Lines, Floors & Best Views!
Since we visited Jingwansa Temple early in the morning, we actually made it to the restaurant before its 11:00 AM opening time. Even so, the waiting line builds up fast because this place is super popular!
Here are a few super helpful things to know before you go:
- Separate Lines for Dining Floors: Dining is available on both the 4th and 5th floors, but you have to line up separately for each floor.
- No Floor-Hopping: Once you order and get seated on a floor, you aren’t allowed to carry your food between floors—so choose wisely before you head up!
- My Personal Recommendation: Aim for the 5th floor if you can! The extra height gives you an even more breathtaking, uninterrupted view of the hanok rooftops and mountain peaks.
🌲 Healing Walks: Exploring the Village & Historic Jingwansa Temple
After wrapping up your meal, I highly recommend taking a casual stroll through the scenic alleys of Eunpyeong Hanok Village, or walking up to Jingwansa Temple located right at the edge of the neighborhood. Regardless of your personal religion, Korean temples sit nestled in nature, making a walk through the grounds feel like pure therapy.
Dating back over 1,000 years to the Goryeo Dynasty, Jingwansa is one of Seoul’s four major historic temples and a world-renowned center for authentic Korean temple cuisine.
Even though I’ve been to this neighborhood many times, this was actually my very first time stepping inside Jingwansa Temple. Right away, I was so impressed by how spotless and well-maintained everything was! You could truly feel the deep love and care from the monks, staff, and devotees who keep every corner sparkling clean.
Walking through the peaceful grounds, you’ll see long rows of traditional Korean earthenware pots (Jangdokdae). These giant jars hold all the house-made fermented sauces—like doenjang (soybean paste), gochujang (chili paste), and ganjang (soy sauce)—that flavor their famous temple food!
Since temple cuisine is strictly vegetarian (and vegan!), it relies entirely on highlighting the natural taste of fresh, plant-based ingredients. These deeply fermented sauces are the secret “kick” that makes everything taste so savory and rich. It’s almost funny how incredibly delicious temple food tastes even without a single drop of meat!
My weekend was filled with so much peaceful healing, surrounded by traditional Korean culture, historic temple scenery, and incredible mountain views. I truly hope sharing these little moments inspires you to take a slow, refreshing day trip of your own!
If you ever get the chance to visit Jingwansa Temple or enjoy a meal served on a mini soban table at 1in 1sang, I’d love to hear all about your experience—feel free to drop your stories in the comments below!
✨Want More Hanok Spots in Seoul?
If you love traditional Korean architecture, warm wooden interiors, and cozy vibes, check out the recommended posts below for more amazing Hanok cafes and Hanok restaurants hidden right in the heart of Seoul!
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Thank you so much for following along on this special day trip to Eunpyeong Hanok Village. I’ll see you in the next blog post with another fun Seoul spot! Happy travels!
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