Hongdae is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Seoul with shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife all in one place! Full of youthful energy and endless things to try, you’ll always stumble upon something new and exciting here. To help you make the most of your visit, here are the top five activities to enjoy in Hongdae!

How to get to Hongdae

Hongdae refers to the area around the Hongik University campus, and it’s easily accessible from three subway stations:

• Hongik University Station (Line 2, AREX Airport Railroad, Gyeongui–Jungang Line)

• Hapjeong Station (Line 2, Line 6)

• Sangsu Station (Line 6)

You can start your journey from any of these stations to enjoy this neighborhood, as everything is within walking distance.

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!

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

Hours: Noon – 11 p.m.

• Gangnam Pork Sanghoe

One of the best unlimited pork BBQ restaurants in Hongdae. With 23,900 won, 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.

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

Hours: 11:30 a.m – Midnight

2. Visit photogenic 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 transports you to Bali in the heart of Seoul. Enjoy pastries, desserts and beverages, all beautifully crafted by skilled pâtissiers and baristas. Right next to Coconut Box is the Trick Eye Museum, a great spot for creative and unique photo opportunities.

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

HOURS: 9 a.m. –10 p.m.

• 943 King’s Cross

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, don’t miss the chance to explore the magical world at this Harry Potter-themed café! The café offers many photo zones and desserts like Wizard Chocolate, Mandrake Cake and Dragon Leg (Turkey) plate, inspired by movie and book scenes.

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

Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.) / 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sun.)

3. Shopping K-beauty & K-fashion trends

Between Hongdae Shopping Street and Hongdae Festival Street, you’ll find countless shops and outdoor vendors offering Korean-style fashion, including clothing and accessories. The area is also home to many popular K-beauty brand stores, perfect for gift hunting.

Hongde Shopping Street: 365-9 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

Hongdae Festival Street: 365-28 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

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!

• Real Escape Room Challenge

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

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

• Rock-Q Coin Singing Room (Noraebang)

Address: 10 Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hours: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Fees: 1,000 won for 3 songs or 8,000 won for 1 hour

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.

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.

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!

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

Hours: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

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. If you want more attention from the residents, you can purchase 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.

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 most popular spots, so expect to wait about 30 minutes to enter on weekends to hang out with these 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.

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 Table A also features a cat café in the next-door building, accessible with the same ticket. 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.

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

Hours: Noon – 9 p.m.

Entrance fee:  18,000 won (Both the indoor zoo and cat cafe for 2 hours)

SNACK AWAY DAY IN SEOUL’S TRENDY HONGDAE

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

SPEAKIN’ KOREAN: SNACKING TOUR

Hello: Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요)

Thanks: Gamsa-hamnida (감사합니다)

Snack: Gansik (간식)

Let’s try this: Igeo meogeo-boja (이거 먹어보자) *Informal

What’s inside?: Ane mwo-ga deureo-isseoyo? (안에 뭐가 들어있어요?)

Can I have this one?: Igeo hana juseyo (이거 하나 주세요)

How much is it?: Igeo eolmayeyo? (이거 얼마예요?)

What is the other flavor?: Dareun maseun mwo-yeyo? (다른 맛은 뭐예요?)

It’s delicious!: Masisseoyo! (맛있어요!)

USAG Yongsan

Camp Casey

Korean