Guide to Ssamzigil, a 4-Story Mall in Insadong, Seoul
Ssamzigil Shopping Mall (also spelled Ssamziegil)
Address: 44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
The Insadong Shopping Street is one of the top places in Seoul I recommend visiting. While you’re at Insadong, a must-visit is the Ssamzigil Shopping Mall.
I went to Insadong quite a bit to visit my favorite vegan restaurant in Seoul Osegye Hyang, and the view of Ssamzigil Mall never got old.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ssamzigil Mall and how to get there.
If you’re new to South Korea, read my travel guide to South Korea.
Korea Checklist: have you booked these yet?
▢ Discover Seoul Pass + transit card
▢ Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer | airport bus | AREX train
▢ Book discounted hotels in Seoul (what I use for Asia)
▢ Browse through dozens of available Seoul tours
What is Ssamzigil Mall?
The Ssamzigil Shopping Mall is an open-space shopping complex located inside Insadong’s famous shopping street.
Ssamzigil has four floors of more than 70 shops selling mostly arts and crafts items, souvenirs, and fashion items.
It first opened in 2004 and is full of art pieces as well as galleries, workshops, and restaurants.
Another Insadong mall, Annyeong Insadong, is also located on the same Insadong Shopping Street.
What to Do at Ssamzigil Mall in Insadong?
First floor: When you walk in, there is a large courtyard, often with vendors and booths in the center. You can attend different workshops on the first floor stores.
Second floor: Buy a souvenir from one of the many handmade craft shops.
Third floor: On the third floor are clothing shops and accessories, many of which are traditional Korean fashion items.
Fourth floor: When you reach the fourth floor, visit the Sky Garden and Galbi book cafe at the top of the building.
On each floor there are art pieces to browse and at each level you’ll get a beautiful view of the whole mall. Each staircase will have art and graffiti to look at.
What Are Ssamzigil Mall’s Hours?
The Ssamzigil Shopping Mall is open everyday at 10:30am and closes at 8:30pm, or rather the shops open and close at those times. Insadong Shopping Street itself does not close.
Nearby Attractions to Ssamzigil Mall
Besides Insadong Shopping Street, here are a few sites that are walkable (or a short train ride away if preferred) to Ssamzigil Shopping Mall:
- Changgyeonggung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace are both a 20-minute walk away.
- Ikseondong Hanok Village is a 10-15 minute walk away.
- Cheonggyecheon Stream is a 20-minute walk away.
- Bukchon Hanok Village is a 15-20 minute walk away.
Is it Worth Visiting Ssamzigil?
I’ve heard visitors and vloggers call the mall a tourist trap because some of the items sold are overpriced for tourists.
Whether or not you buy anything, the different art pieces around the mall and workshops you can go to are worth visiting.
The whole area is quite colorful and many of the shops are also locally-owned and made if you are looking for gifts or souvenirs for your Korea trip.
How to Get to Ssamzigil Shopping Mall?
By Subway
The closest train station to Ssamzigil in Insadong is the Anguk Station.
Take exit 6. The entrance to the mall will be on the main Insadong walking street, which is around a 5-minute walk away from the subway station.
By Bus
Depending on where you’re coming from, there are many buses that go to Insadong, like bus #3, #273, and #172.
By Taxi
You can also hail a taxi to Insadong, use the Uber app (Uber works in Seoul), or book a taxi on the local Kakao Taxi app if you’re using a local sim.
You want to get dropped off right outside the Insadong walking street since the main Insadong Shopping Street are packed with people walking.
