Itaewon Class Filming Locations Food Trail in Seoul

Where Drama Fuelled Seoul’s Food Scene

Walking up the crisp asphalt slope near Noksapyeong Station on a chilly autumn evening always brings back the sound of Park Sae-ro-yi’s boots echoing against the pavement. When Itaewon Class captured global audiences, it didn’t just tell a story of underdog triumph—it turned Itaewon and its surrounding neighborhoods into an pilgrimage site for foodies and K-drama enthusiasts alike. At the heart of DanBam’s success was comfort food: steaming bowls of soft tofu stew, sizzling spicy pork, and cold beer enjoyed against the glowing backdrop of Namsan Seoul Tower.

As a lifelong Seoul resident, I watched local fans and international travelers flood into these alleys looking for the exact places where Sae-ro-yi, Jo Yi-seo, and the DanBam crew fought for their dreams. While some filming setups have evolved over time, the real-life eateries, streets, and rooftops still retain that electric, hopeful energy. Exploring these Itaewon Class filming locations food spots gives you a taste of authentic Korean pub culture—a world where hard work ends with good food and great company.

The Original DanBam Building in Noksapyeong

This humble corner building is where Park Sae-ro-yi opens his very first iteration of DanBam after years of saving from deep-sea fishing gigs. In the drama, the crew spends countless nights scrubbing floors, painting walls, and perfecting their signature stir-fries to draw in their very first customers.

In real life, this spot near Noksapyeong Station is a commercial street building that has hosted various small businesses and pop-ups since filming concluded. Located right at the curve of a main slope, the building’s exterior remains instantly recognizable to anyone who spent hours watching the DanBam sign flicker on screen. While the interior layout was tailored for drama production, standing in front of the venue instantly recalls the scene where Yi-seo steps inside and decides to transform the struggling pub into an Itaewon hotspot.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 6 to Noksapyeong Station and exit via Exit 3. Cross the main boulevard using the pedestrian bridge or crosswalk toward the slope heading toward Itaewon’s main street. Walk uphill for about 3 to 5 minutes, keeping to the right side of the road until you spot the distinctive curved corner building near the intersection.

Oriole: The Second DanBam Rooftop Bar in Haebangchon

After being pushed out of their original space, Sae-ro-yi purchases a property further up the hill in Haebangchon, moving DanBam to a multi-story building featuring a breathtaking rooftop view. This is where the crew gathers during quiet evenings to share drinks, debate menu updates, and look out over the shining city skyline.

In reality, this location is Oriole, a famous cafe and rooftop lounge bar originally opened by singer Jung Yeop of the Korean R&B group Brown Eyed Soul. Situated in the charming, hilly neighborhood of Haebangchon (HBC), Oriole offers daytime coffee and late-night drinks. The highlight is undeniably the rooftop terrace, where you can sip a beverage while looking straight out at Namsan Seoul Tower and the sprawling residential rooftops below. Because this is a functioning business on a narrow hillside, remember to order a drink or meal before taking photos on the upper decks.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 6 to Noksapyeong Station, Exit 2. From the bus stop right outside the exit, board local green village bus Yongsan 02 (용산02). Ride the bus up the steep winding roads of Haebangchon and get off at the Sinheung Market (신흥시장) or Huam-dong terminus stop. From there, walk about 2 minutes downhill toward the hilltop edge facing the city.

Euljiro Nogari Alley and Manseon Hof

During the series, Sae-ro-yi and Yi-seo explore different night markets and street pub scenes across Seoul to study competitor menus and immerse themselves in traditional Korean drinking atmosphere. The vibrant outdoor drinking scenes captured in these moments showcase classic Seoul pocha (street bar) culture at its finest.

The real-life location used for these lively retro drinking scenes is Euljiro Nogari Alley, centered around the famous Manseon Hof. Known as ‘hip-jiro’ among young locals, this area transforms every evening into a massive open-air pub plaza where hundreds of plastic tables fill the narrow brick alleyways. Office workers and young crowds gather here to drink draft beer accompanied by nogari (dried young pollack) and garlic fried chicken. The energy here directly mirrors the spirited public atmosphere that Sae-ro-yi sought to capture in his pub business.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 3 to Euljiro 3-ga Station and leave through Exit 13 or Exit 4. Turn into the small alleyway behind the main avenue, and you will instantly find yourself surrounded by the glowing signs and outdoor tables of Euljiro Nogari Alley and Manseon Hof.

Ggulbam: The Real-Life Inspiration Bar in Hongdae

In the drama, DanBam’s menu features rich, spicy dishes like sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) and jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) designed to complement cold drinks and warm up late-night diners.

While not an on-screen filming site itself, Ggulbam (which translates to ‘Honey Night’) is a pub located in the Hongdae nightlife district owned and operated by Jo Gwang-jin, the original creator and writer of the Itaewon Class webtoon. Jo created this actual pub to bring the fictional DanBam menu to life for fans. Inside, you can order the exact recipes featured in the story, surrounded by webtoon artwork, neon signs, and memorabilia from both the webtoon and the television adaptation.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2, the Airport Railroad, or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Hongik University Station and take Exit 8 or Exit 9. Walk through the main Hongdae shopping district toward the vibrant side streets near the nightlife area, about a 7-minute walk from the station exit.

Make a Day of It

Combining these culinary and filming destinations makes for an unforgettable full-day itinerary through some of Seoul’s most expressive neighborhoods. Here is how you can organize a seamless trip from afternoon to late evening:

• Afternoon in Haebangchon and Sinheung Market: Start your day around 2:00 PM by exploring Haebangchon. Walk through Sinheung Market, a refurbished historic market space filled with artisan bakeries, trendy cafes, and craft workshops. Afterward, head to Oriole for an afternoon coffee on the rooftop terrace to take in the clear daytime views of Namsan Tower.
• Late Afternoon Walk to Noksapyeong Bridge: Walk downhill from Haebangchon toward Noksapyeong Station. Stop at the Noksapyeong Pedestrian Overpass—the exact bridge where Sae-ro-yi frequently stood contemplating his future with the highway traffic and Namsan Tower framed behind him.
• Early Evening Food Crawl in Itaewon: Pass by the original DanBam building near Noksapyeong, then walk into the heart of Itaewon’s international dining street. Grab an early dinner or light snacks at one of the neighborhood’s modern Korean bistros.
• Nighttime Drinks in Euljiro or Hongdae: Round off your night by catching the subway north to Euljiro for draft beer under the string lights at Manseon Hof, or head west to Hongdae to try the authentic soft tofu stew at Ggulbam.

Time of Day	Location	Highlight Activity
14:00 – 16:00	Haebangchon & Oriole	Rooftop drinks and city views
16:30 – 18:00	Noksapyeong Bridge	Iconic photo stop & original pub exterior
18:30 – 21:00	Euljiro or Hongdae	Traditional pub dinner and drama-inspired dishes

Photo Tips

Getting the perfect shot requires knowing where to stand and when the lighting hits just right:

• Noksapyeong Bridge: Stand in the center of the pedestrian overpass looking north toward Namsan Seoul Tower. For the best atmosphere, visit during golden hour (about 45 minutes before sunset) or right at dusk when the streetlights and highway vehicle lights begin to illuminate the road.
• Oriole Rooftop: Position your subject on the corner railing of the top deck with Namsan Tower rising directly behind them. Late afternoon light softens the cityscape, while nighttime photos capture the glittering lights of Yongsan-gu below.
• Euljiro Alleys: Use a low-light setting on your phone or camera around 8:00 PM when the plastic tables are full and the yellow neon signs illuminate the narrow lanes.

FAQ

Are the DanBam pub locations open to customers as working restaurants?

The original DanBam building in Noksapyeong was used primarily as a filming location and exterior set; it operates as commercial property that changes tenants periodically. However, the second location (Oriole in Haebangchon) operates daily as a cafe and lounge bar. For authentic DanBam menu items created by the drama’s original writer, visit Ggulbam in Hongdae.

What signature food items should I try to recreate the DanBam experience?

To eat like the characters in the show, order sundubu jjigae (spicy soft tofu stew loaded with seafood or pork), honghap-tang (clear mussel soup served bubbling hot), and jeyuk bokkeum (spicy marinated stir-fried pork). Pair these with traditional Korean beer or soju for the full pocha dining experience.

Is it free to visit the rooftops and bridges featured in Itaewon Class?

Public bridges like the Noksapyeong Pedestrian Overpass are completely free and accessible 24/7. Commercial venues with rooftops, such as Oriole in Haebangchon, require guests to purchase a beverage or food item before accessing their seating and balcony areas. Always verify current operating hours before traveling.

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