Traditional Chopstick Making Workshop in Insadong Seoul

Insadong, Seoul's traditional arts district

Insadong has been a centre of art and antiques since the Joseon era, when officials and painters lived in the area. Today its main street, Insadong-gil, and the alleys around it are lined with galleries, pottery and calligraphy shops, traditional tea houses and stores selling hanji paper, fans and handmade crafts. It is one of the best places in Seoul to find souvenirs that are actually made in Korea.

The workshop studio sits on a quiet upper floor in the middle of the district, between Anguk and Jongno 3-ga subway stations. Things to do in Insadong before or after your session include browsing the craft shops, sipping traditional tea and walking a few minutes to Jogyesa Temple or the hanok alleys of Ikseon-dong.

The chopstick-making workshop

Chopsticks are part of daily life in Korea, where they are traditionally paired with a long spoon at every meal. In this hands-on class you make a wooden pair from a prepared blank: the instructor shows you how to hold the tools, shape the taper evenly, smooth the surface with progressively finer sandpaper and finish the wood with natural oil so it is safe to use with food.

The session takes about an hour and moves at a relaxed pace with plenty of individual help, so even complete beginners and children end up with a neat, balanced pair. Everything you need is included: the tool kit, two basic wood types to choose from and the finishing materials.

Choosing your wood and engraving a name

Two basic woods are included in the price, each with its own colour and grain. If you want something special, eight premium woods are available for an extra charge, ranging from pale to rich dark tones, and the instructor explains how each one looks and feels once oiled.

To make your chopsticks truly personal, you can add precision laser engraving for a small extra fee, with any name in Korean, English or Japanese letters. Many travellers engrave their own name or the names of family members, which makes the chopsticks a thoughtful gift to take back. Engraving takes only a few minutes at the end of the session, and the instructor helps you choose the style.

Practical visit and getting there

How to get to the workshop: walk from Anguk Station on Line 3 or from Jongno 3-ga Station into the heart of Insadong. The studio is in a white building with a shop on the ground floor; use the building entrance to the left of the shop, take the elevator to the 7th floor and look for Room 702.

Sessions start every hour from 09:00 to 18:00, so the workshop is easy to fit around palace visits or shopping. Arrive a few minutes early to choose your wood. Your finished chopsticks are ready to take with you at the end of the class, light and easy to pack in your luggage.