Finding halal food in Korea is getting easier. Finding somewhere to pray five times a day while you sightsee is the part most guides skip. The good news: Seoul has a central mosque, and a growing number of malls, theme parks, airports and hospitals now have quiet prayer rooms. You just need to know where they are, because almost none of them are signposted from the street.
Quick answer: In Seoul, pray at Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon (Friday prayers too). While sightseeing, use the prayer rooms at COEX (3F near Hall E), Lotte World Adventure (3F) and Lotte Department Store Jamsil. Incheon Airport has prayer rooms in both terminals, open 24 hours. Download a prayer-time app: the Qibla from Korea is roughly west-northwest.
Mosques in Korea
Seoul Central Mosque, Itaewon
Korea’s first mosque opened in 1976 on a hill above Itaewon, at 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, about a 10-minute uphill walk from Itaewon Station (Line 6). Visitor guides describe the men’s prayer hall on the 2nd floor and the women’s section on the 3rd. Modest dress is required, and scarves and skirts are available at the entrance. Friday prayers are held here; check the time with the mosque before you go.
The streets around the mosque are also Seoul’s halal food district, with certified Korean restaurants and halal marts. See our halal restaurant guide and 3-day halal food itinerary.
Mosques outside Seoul
| Mosque | City | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Busan Al-Fatah Mosque | Busan | 1980 |
| Jeonju Mosque | Jeonju | 1985 |
| Ansan Mosque | Ansan, Gyeonggi Province | 2007 |
| Jeju Islamic Cultural Centre | Jeju Island | Check locally |
Search the mosque name on Naver Map for the current address and directions. Ansan’s multicultural Wongok-dong area also has many South and Central Asian restaurants.
Prayer Rooms in Seoul While You Sightsee
| Place | Where exactly | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COEX Mall, Gangnam | 3F, near Hall E (conference area). Separate men’s and women’s sections | About 03:00–22:00 |
| Lotte World Adventure, Jamsil | 3F, next to the Jungle Adventure boat ride exit | About 09:30–22:00 |
| Lotte Department Store Jamsil | Avenuel building, 6F | Store hours |
| Lotte World Tower, Nami Island | Prayer rooms reported on site; ask information | Varies |
Hours and room locations come from visitor guides published between 2019 and 2023, and Korean venues renovate often. Ask any information desk: they will know the phrase 기도실 (gidosil), prayer room.
Prayer Rooms at the Airport
Incheon Airport has prayer rooms in both terminals, open 24 hours. Guides have placed them on the 3rd and 4th floors airside in Terminal 1 (around the Gate 24 and Gate 29 areas) and on the 4th floor in the middle of the duty-free area in Terminal 2, with more spots landside. The rooms are not gender-separated, and some do not provide mats, so bring a travel mat. Locations move, so check the airport map or app. For food before your flight, see our Incheon Airport food guide.
Prayer Rooms at Major Seoul Hospitals
Several large hospitals that treat international patients have prayer rooms open around the clock, useful if you are in Seoul for medical tourism or visiting someone:
- Seoul National University Hospital: 1F, Biomedical Research Institute building
- Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital: 21F
- Samsung Medical Center: B1
- Asan Medical Center: East Wing, 19F
These were reported in 2019, so ask the hospital’s international clinic to confirm.
Practical Tips for Praying in Korea
- Use an app. Prayer times in Korea shift a lot between summer and winter. A prayer-time app with a Qibla compass is the easiest way to keep track. From Korea, the Qibla points roughly west-northwest.
- Wudu. Most Korean restrooms are not set up for ablution. Many travelers carry a small water bottle and use the most private stall.
- Carry a travel mat. Not every prayer room has mats, and a small foldable one turns any quiet corner into a place to pray.
- Ask, politely. Korean staff are usually happy to help once they understand what you need.
Ask like a local
기도실 어디예요?
Gidosil eodiyeyo?
“Where is the prayer room?”
기도할 수 있는 조용한 곳 있어요?
Gidohal su inneun joyonghan got isseoyo?
“Is there a quiet place where I can pray?”
FAQ
Is there a mosque in Seoul?
Yes. Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon, opened in 1976, is the country’s main mosque and holds Friday prayers.
Are there prayer rooms in Seoul?
Yes. COEX, Lotte World Adventure and Lotte Department Store Jamsil have prayer rooms, as do Incheon Airport and several large hospitals.
Does Incheon Airport have a prayer room?
Yes, in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, open 24 hours. Ask an information desk for the one nearest your gate.
Which direction is the Qibla in Korea?
Roughly west-northwest. Use a Qibla compass app for the exact bearing from where you are.
More for Muslim Travelers
- 3 days in Seoul: a halal food itinerary
- Halal restaurants in Seoul
- Halal snacks at Korean convenience stores
- Free Korean diet card with a halal option
