Japan has its ryokan. Mongolia offers the yurt. And travelers to China can now bed down in a traditional hutong home. Not to be outdone, South Korea is drawing tourists of its own to experience a night in a traditional hanok house.
Hanok houses were the traditional abode of many Koreans in days gone by. These minimalistic but beautiful L or square-shaped buildings wrap around tiny courtyards where families gathered, children played and visitors were entertained. Hanok roofs could be either thatched, shingled or tiled, though the majority of hanok that remain today are covered by the latter.
The inside of a hanok in Korea (Source: Visit Korea)
As a hanok home is usually sparsely furnished, the most striking feature is the floor, both for its appearance (covered with Korean paper and polished with bean oil) and for its usefulness. While most Western cultures shun the floor for its chill (hence why most of us sleep in raised beds), the Korean invention of the unique ondol floor heating system ensures a toasty night’s sleep even in Korea’s bitter winters. And, just like its neighbor to the east, Korean homes have a “shoes off” policy. The same floor that inhabitants curl up on at night also doubles as the dinner table, and the home is kept as dirt-free as possible.
In Seoul, many hanok homes (both original and restored) come with the additional draw of being located in Samcheong-dong, an artsy neighborhood dotted with cafes and galleries that’s within a stone’s throw of the President’s own lodging (the Blue House) and some of the city’s finest palaces. Warm up in a local teahouse or catch the latest exhibit of avant-garde style before retiring to your cozy hanok and enjoying a taste of the past with your home-cooked meal.
Written By Mandy Bartok.
