Exploring Korea: Hongdae a happening spot!

Shopping in Hongdae (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Hongdae is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Korea to enjoy the latest trends and exciting entertainment. The neighborhood is at the heart of local youth culture and is a favorite for young Koreans and tourists.

There’s an endless array of things to try, and each time you visit this area, you’ll discover new and fun places to go. Hongdae is a great place for shopping, hanging out with friends or a fun date.

Hongdae is packed with things to do, so choosing among them might be difficult. Here are five top activities to help get you started!

Hongdae (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

HOW TO GET TO HONGDAE

Metro: Line 2, Hongik University Station, Exit 8-9 (Note: Hongdae is an abbreviation of Hongik University in Korean and it usually refers to the neighborhood near Hongik University.)

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY IN TRENDY AREA

1. Explore the best eateries

Hongdae is one of the great spots to dine out. The streets are filled with diverse eateries featuring not only Korean delicacies, but also other international cuisines. You’ll be drooling over the many street food options and restaurants. Make sure to come to Hongdae with an empty stomach to enjoy the delicious treats to your heart’s content!

• Pizza Never Sleeps

This pizza joint is famous for its slices topped with pepperoni, fried potatoes and refreshing draft beer. Try a half-and-half pizza so you don’t have to choose just one topping!

Pizza Never Sleeps (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Address: 4th floor, 73, Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: Noon – midnight

• Gangnam Pork Sanghoe

One of the best unlimited pork BBQ restaurants in Hongdae. With 21,900 won ($17), you’ll taste various pork barbecue cuts as well as unlimited cold noodles, fried chicken with a special sauce, soft drinks, and incredibly fresh vegetables on the side.

Gangnam Pork Sanghoe (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Address: 28 Hongik-ro 5an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 11:30 a.m – Midnight

2. Visit Instagrammable cafés

Hongdae is a paradise for Instagram lovers who enjoy touring beautiful picture-perfect cafés. There are many different cafés in the neighborhood including animal cafés (See side bar), themed cafés, and others with amazing interiors serving artistic desserts and drinks. Don’t miss capturing some amazing pics of your coffee and treats at a few of Hongdae’s beautiful cafés!

• Coconut Box

This café will transport you to Bali in the heart of Seoul. Enjoy drinks and desserts in a bungalow while you check out the art and NFT displays on the walls.

Coconut Box (Photo courtesy of Coconut Box)

Address: Seogyo Plaza, 20, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

HOURS: 9 a.m. –10 p.m.

• 943 King’s Cross

Harry Potter fans will love this café, which is themed around the book and movie series. Whether you’re a Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin or Gryffindor, you’ll love the themed interiors, drinks and desserts here.

943 King’s Cross Wizard Cafe (Photo courtesy of 943 King’s Cross Wizard Cafe)

Address: 24, Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 11:30 a.m – 9:30 p.m.

3. Shopping unique, local-ish items

Hunt for some cute accessories, stylish clothing and other items in Hongdae. You’ll also find that many popular Korean cosmetics brands have branches here. K-beauty cosmetics are also great gifts, so shop for you and others in Hongdae!

Shopping in Hongdae (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

4. Find your inner child

Korean teens grow up enjoying various entertainment facilities, including singing rooms, PC cafés, board game cafés, arcades, and comic book cafés with their friends after school. Hongdae is home to many of these types of businesses. Feel like a kid again and enjoy a board game or an escape room while you’re visiting. Many of these entertainment spots have English-speaking staff, so gather your friends and have a blast!

Play with friends. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Real Escape Challenge (Photo courtesy of Real Escape Challenge)

• Real Escape Room Challenge

Address: 4th floor, 21, Wausan-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

5. Enjoy nightlife & bar hopping

Hongdae is undoubtedly one of the best nightlife spots in Seoul alongside Gangnam and Itaewon. Among these spots, Hongdae offers a more free and comfortable vibe, catering to people of all ages, including those new to nightlife. Check out some of the fun themed bars and clubs or bar-hop to find your favorite spot.

• JASE

This trendy cocktail bar has creative drinks, a variety of snacks and adorable interior decorations.

JASE (Photo courtesy of JASE)

Address: 6-11, Wausan-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.

• Joseon Sidae (Joseon Dynasty)

Travel back to the Joseon Dynasty and enjoy traditional drinks, great Korean food and fun photo zones for cool pics with your friends.

Joseon Sidae (Joseon Dynasty) (Photo courtesy of Joseon Dynasty)

Address: B1, 44, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 4 a.m.

HONGDAE: HANG OUT WITH FURRY FRIENDS AT ANIMAL CAFÉS!

Enjoying cafés is a big part of Korean culture, and the country is home to a wide variety of unique cafés. Animal cafés stand out as a top tourist attraction among them. The blend of delectable desserts and cute animals continues to attract both locals and tourists, particularly in major cities like Seoul.

These cafés originally started with cat or dog themes, but now they have evolved to include even wild animals like meerkats and raccoons. The popularity of such cafes can be attributed to the relatively lax animal welfare laws in many Asian countries. With that in mind, it’s crucial to acknowledge the harsh reality that some establishments have been reported for serious animal abuse.

To ensure a positive and responsible experience, having a proper guide can be helpful to find cafés providing a safe and healthy environment for both the animals and visitors. In the Hongdae area of Seoul, you can explore a cluster of animal cafés conveniently located within a close distance. Visiting those cafés can give you fun and special experience of seeing adorable animals in the city. Check them out!

1. Thanks Nature Café

This lovely café not only serves amazing Korean desserts but also offers a unique opportunity to spend time with adorable lambs! Each year, the café owner visits Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm and carefully selects two lambs from the herd struggling to get their mother’s milk due to their small or weak physique. These chosen lambs are then raised as the stars of Thanks Nature Café. With dedicated and attentive care, the lambs grow up healthy and lively. As they mature, they are returned to Daegwallyeong, and new baby lambs take their place as the new stars.

Most animal cafés tend to focus on the interaction with animals, so they often have limited beverage and dessert menus. Also, the presence of roaming wild animals can sometimes lead to an unclean and odorous environment. However, Thanks Nature Café guarantees a leisurely time by separating the spaces for the lambs and the café area. Moreover, their desserts are exceptionally delicious, as are their waffles and Korean shaved. Another advantage is that there is no separate admission fee required unlike other animal cafés.

Enjoy a tasty dessert and hang out with fluffy, chubby lambs in Hongdae!

Thanks Nature Café (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Thanks Nature Café (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Café)

Thanks Nature Café (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Thanks Nature Café (Photo courtesy of Thanks Nature Café)

Address: B121 Seogyo Prugio Shopping Mall, 10 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

2. Day of Butler

This cat café was born out of a heartfelt desire to care for injured and abandoned street cats. Day of Butler has opened several branches across Seoul, including Hongdae and care for around 130 cats.

Each cat here receives good care and training so most of the cats are very healthy and friendly. They enjoy playing with visitors while sitting on their laps. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to pet and be surrounded by a bunch of charming cats. Also, as the café has a spacious and clean environment, it’s a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink. And, to become popular with the residents, the café sells cat food for 3,000 won.

The café even has an adoption program for visitors who fall in love with any of the cats there. The requirements to apply include visiting the café at least three times to get to know the cat you’re interested in adopting.

Visting the café costs 10,000 won, drinks are a separate purchase. However, cat lovers see this fee as a donation and willingly contribute.

Please note that children aged 13 and below can only enter if accompanied by a guardian.

Day of Butler (Photo courtesy of Day of Butler)

Address: 2F Taekyung Building, 19-8 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: Noon– 10 p.m.

Entrance fee: 10,000 won

3. Winter’s Village

This is one of Hongdae’s hottest cafés, so expect to wait about 30 minutes to enter on weekends to hang out with some beautiful dogs. Winter’s Village is famous for being home to 12 lively Samoyeds, a Malamute and Pomeranian.

If you’re looking for a café to relax at a comfortable seat with fancy desserts and beverages, this might not be for you. However, if you want to cuddle, feed and hang out with these large fluffy dogs, then head on over!

Please be aware that since the Samoyeds shed a lot, people wearing dark-colored clothes or those with allergies should be cautious. Admission is available for ages 10 and above, and children aged 13 and below can enter if accompanied by a guardian.

Winter’s Village (Photo courtesy of Winter’s Village)

Address: 19-5, Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Tuesday off)

Entrance fee: 14,000 won

4. Table A

Table A is an indoor zoo animal café with the most diverse array of animals in Hongdae. It holds the official verification as an indoor zoo from Seoul City. While other animal cafés that aren’t recognized as zoos aren’t obligated to follow animal welfare regulations, this official verification ensures that Table A operates with a commitment to animal well-being and staff members are trained caretakers.

The indoor zoo houses a variety of animals, including raccoons, meerkats, Fennec Foxes, and more in the five-story building. Visitors can interact with exotic animals like chinchillas and snakes under the instructions of the caretakers during specific program hours. Some animals like raccoons and cats are freely roaming around, but to catch the attention of these mischievous creatures, you might need to purchase some snacks. As there is a lot to see and enjoy, Table A assures a delightful time for visitors of all ages!

Table A also offers a separate café area to enjoy beverages and desserts. Those who purchase an entrance ticket can get a 20% discount on all beverages.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a guardian during their visit.

Table A (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Address: 146 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hours: Noon – 10 p.m.

Entrance fee: 17,000 won (Booking through Naver offers a 15% discount)

SNACK AWAY THE DAY

Going on a snacking tour in Hongdae is a fun way to discover a variety of enticing Korean foods and treats. Enjoy the snacks while strolling around the lively streets brimming with a youthful atmosphere, street performances and trendy shops. Sampling the neighborhood’s street-food options has become a popular social media trend, so don’t be surprised to see locals and tourists taking videos and photos of Hongdae’s delicious offerings.

Unlike street food in some tourist areas, Hongdae keeps most goodies at reasonable prices as local culture is cherished in this area. Each snack usually costs around 3,000 to 4,000 won so make sure to sample several different options to fully experience the diverse delights!

Street Food Alley

Head to Hongdae’s Street Food Alley where you’ll find candied fruit skewers, waffles, cakes, donuts, ice cream and more. FYI, some famous shops may have long lines, but don’t hesitate to line up as your turn will come quickly and is worth the wait.

Street Food Alley (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Address: Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Popular snacks on social media!

32cm Ice Cream

Enjoy the challenge of finishing this long soft ice cream for 3,000 won. It’s served with one or two flavors in a single ice cream cone and the options include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mango, yogurt, and green tea. Be mindful of holding it carefully to prevent it from falling to the ground!

32cm Ice Cream (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Candied Fruit (Tanghulu)

Candied fruit is a stick of fresh strawberries or grapes, coated with hardened sugar syrup. Every bite offers a great balance of sweetness and tartness.

Candied Fruit (Tanghulu) (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Marshmallow Ice Cream

Inspired by roasting marshmallows over an open fire, this sweet treat doesn’t require a campfire. Choose from the available ice cream flavors and watch as the vendor uses a blow torch to roast the outer marshmallow right before your eyes. The toasted marshmallow exterior pairs well with the creamy, ice-cold ice cream inside.

Marshmallow Ice Cream (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

10-won Cheese Bread

Originally a regional specialty of Gyengju, a historical city, this pastry has made its way to the streets of Hongdae. Resembling the 10 won coin in appearance, it features an image of a stone pagoda from the ancient Silla Kingdom in Gyoengju. This bread is filled with rich, thick mozzarella cheese, giving a great combination of sweetness, softness, and chewiness all together.