The Jongno 3-ga area in Seoul's Jongno-gu District has been named the world's coolest neighborhood. Shown are pojangmacha, or tent-style street food kiosks, along the street at night. (Seoul Tourism Organization)

By Jeong Euiseok

The Jongno 3-ga area in Seoul's Jongno-gu District has been named this year's "coolest" neighborhood in the world.

The British culture and travel media Time Out on Sept. 16 said Jongno 3-ga topped its list of the "World's Coolest Neighborhoods," rising to No. 1 after finishing third in 2021.

The list comprised 40 neighborhoods selected from evaluations by experts and editors based on criteria as independent stores, living conditions and communities.

The spotlight was on Jongno 3-ga's night scene highlighted by pojangmacha, or a tent-style street food kiosk. In the past, workers and office employees frequented the tents for a quick bite, but today, young people drawn to the affordable prices and unpretentious charm, it added.

Seosunra-gil Road was also named one of the neighborhood's attractions. Once a quiet and secluded area, it now features craft workshops, jewelry studios and quaint wine bars, Time Out said.

L'Ocean District in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, ranked second, followed by Neos Kosmos in Athens, Greece, in third.

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