Two subway stations, one address. KUT SEOUL sits on the third floor of Hanol Tower at 96 Jongno, almost exactly midway between Jonggak Station and Jongno 3-ga Station — three minutes on foot from either. Whichever line you are on, you are three minutes away.
This is a short, practical guide: which station to use, which exit, where the valet is, and how to reach the lift without steps.
Two Stations, Three Minutes Each
Jonggak Station sits on Line 1, directly beneath Jongno Tower to the west. Jongno 3-ga Station, to the east, is a three-line interchange serving Lines 1, 3 and 5. Both walks take about three minutes along the north side of Jongno.
| Station | Lines | Exit | Walk | Best if you are coming from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonggak | 1 | Exit 4 | 3 min east | Seoul Station, City Hall, western Line 1 |
| Jongno 3-ga | 1 · 3 · 5 | Exit 15 | 3 min west | Gyeongbokgung, Anguk (Line 3); Gwanghwamun, Gimpo Airport (Line 5) |
Use Jonggak if you are on Line 1 from Seoul Station, City Hall or anywhere west. Use Jongno 3-ga if you are transferring from Line 3 (Gyeongbokgung, Anguk) or Line 5 (Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, Gimpo Airport) — stay on the train rather than doubling back.
From Jonggak Station — Exit 4
Take Exit 4 and walk east along Jongno, keeping the avenue on your right. The pavement is wide and the route is a straight line. In about three minutes you reach Hanol Tower at 96 Jongno; KUT SEOUL is on the third floor.
From Jongno 3-ga Station — Exit 15
Take Exit 15 and walk west along Jongno, keeping the avenue on your left. You will pass the railings of Tapgol Park within the first minute, then a run of small shops before reaching 96 Jongno on your right. Again about three minutes.
Jongno 3-ga is a large interchange and the underground passages between its three lines are long. If you are changing trains here, allow a few extra minutes below ground and follow the coloured line signs rather than exit numbers until you are on the concourse.
Parking, and Reaching the Lift
Valet parking is ₩5,000, available Wednesday to Monday, 11:30–22:00. The valet stand is at the rear of the building. Three steps lead up from there to the entrance — manageable with a stroller.
Guests using a wheelchair should use the front entrance instead, through the Tom N Toms café on Jongno. That route reaches the lift without steps.
Arriving by Taxi
Any Seoul taxi driver knows Jongno. "Jongno-gu Jongno 96" is enough. If the driver hesitates, the two landmarks either side of the address are Tapgol Park to the east and Jongno Tower to the west — ask to be set down between them, on the north side of the avenue.
On weekday evenings between six and seven, surface traffic on Jongno slows considerably and the subway is usually faster. Kakao T is the local ride-hailing app and handles the address in English. Coming straight from the airport, our Incheon Airport to Jongno guide covers the routes and fares.
On Foot from Nearby
Much of old Seoul is walkable from the door. The southern end of Insadong-gil meets Jongno almost opposite the building — cross at the signalled crossing and you are there. Our half-day walking guide to Insa-dong sets out an afternoon route that ends at dinner.
From Ikseon-dong, allow about ten minutes west along Jongno. From Cheonggyecheon, cross the stream and walk two blocks north. Gyeongbokgung Palace is twenty to twenty-five minutes on foot — pleasant in good weather, but Line 3 to Jongno 3-ga takes about ten minutes door to door and is the sensible choice in summer or winter.
Before You Arrive
KUT SEOUL serves lunch 11:30–15:00 and dinner 17:30–22:00, with last order at 21:30, and is closed on Tuesdays. All seating is by reservation.
Arriving five to ten minutes early is worth doing. The counter and the five private rooms are timed around a course of thirteen to fifteen dishes, and a few minutes to settle before the first plate changes the shape of the meal. If anything goes wrong on the way, the restaurant answers in English during service hours: +82 2-2272-8012.
Ending Your Day in Jongno
An afternoon in the palace district or the tea houses of Insa-dong, a walk back along Jongno as the light goes, and then three minutes from either station to a room built around one ingredient — Hanwoo graded BMS No. 9, wet-aged four weeks, served across a course that runs about three hours in a private room and two at the counter.
The Signature Course at ₩210,000 is where most first-time guests start: thirteen dishes across the range of Hanwoo cuts. The Royal at ₩280,000 adds fifteen dishes with lobster sashimi and caviar and a lobster gratin. At weekday lunch the Bar Course is ₩69,000, served at the counter only. Which seat suits which occasion is covered in Counter Seats or Private Rooms? Choosing at KUT SEOUL.
KUT SEOUL — 96 Jongno, three minutes from Jonggak Exit 4 and Jongno 3-ga Exit 15.
