The Sino-Japanese Concession, established with the opening of Incheon Port, has transformed into today’s Chinatown and Gaehang-ro. Recently, the area has been revitalized as a modern tourist attraction, gaining popularity among the MZ generation. In certain spots, visitors can use their smartphones to access AR or VR experiences that tell the stories of people who once lived there.

Jjajangmyeon Heaven: Chinatown



Chinatown is a testament to those who continue the traditions of their predecessors from the Greater China region and have chosen to settle here. At the same time, it is home to those who put a Korean twist on jjajangmyeon, offering it as a special variation. Restaurants that use seasonal ingredients to craft unique flavors for each season are so exceptional that even regular customers keep raving about them.

   

Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall: Korea’s First Western-style Hotel

The Daebul Hotel, Korea’s first Western-style hotel, opened in 1884. It primarily served Westerners who entered Korea through Incheon Port on their way to Hanyang. The hotel ceased its operations in 1918. Today, the Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall has been carefully restored to recapture its original grandeur.

    

Visitors using the Incheon EASY App can encounter an AR ghost—the son of the hotel’s founder—who shares fascinating stories about the hotel's history. This feature is also available in the banquet hall on the third floor.

The Transformation of a 100-year-old Japanese-style Machiya House

This machiya-style house, built in the traditional Japanese architectural style, once served as the office of Daehwajo, a stevedoring company responsible for shipping and unloading at Incheon Port, is now listed as a Registered Cultural Property.

Today, the space has been repurposed into a café. The first floor retains remnants of the old office, while the second and third floors, featuring tatami mats, are open to the public. The tatami room can be reserved for groups of five or more, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to enjoy the historic setting in peace. The café’s signature dessert is traditional Korean shaved ice with homemade red bean paste, a must-try treat since the café’s opening.

Jemulpo Club: A Favorite Spot for Westerners

Jemulpo Club, also called Jemulpo Gurakbu, served as a venue for Western countries to hold banquets and meetings to foster friendships before the port officially opened. It also served as an informal site for diplomatic exchanges.

After Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the building was repurposed for various uses, including as a U.S. military officers’ club, an education office, and a museum. In 2007, it was restored to its original grandeur through extensive renovations. The interior has been carefully recreated based on photographs and other historical records, allowing visitors to experience its past ambiance. The bar table where drinks were shared and the living room where guests danced and mingled, provide a glimpse into life as it was 100 years ago.

Visitors can also enjoy a 'real-time drama' of Jemulpo Club through the Incheon EASY App.



Noodle Platform: A Go-to Spot for Noodle Lovers

   

The Noodle Platform offers a concise overview of the history of noodle dishes that have been passed down in Incheon. It also explores why noodles have become so popular in the region and how foreign dishes like jjajangmyeon and udon have evolved in Incheon.

Kwangshin Jemyunso

 

Incheon is the birthplace of jjolmyeon. In the 1970s, two noodle manufacturers—Kwangshin Jemyunso and Samsung Food Co.—each claimed to have originated jjolmyeon. Today, Kwangshin Jemyunso operates a jjolmyeon specialty store on Gaehang-ro Street in Incheon.

Written and photographed by Kim Jeong-heum (Travel writer)