Hongdae
Indie music and youth culture hub
The heart of Seoul's indie music scene and youth culture, featuring street performances, trendy cafes, and vibrant nightlife.
Highlights
Beekend
Beekend is a cozy neighborhood cafe near Mangwon Market that has become famous throughout Seoul for serving some of the best brioche French toast in the city. This small, light-filled cafe with minimalist wood interiors offers various French toast flavors including Crème Brûlée, seasonal fig and peach, matcha, chestnut, and sweet potato. The cafe's laid-back atmosphere and exceptional brunch items have made it a destination spot, drawing weekend crowds willing to queue for their signature French toast.
Cafe Comma Hapjeong
Cafe Comma Hapjeong is a multi-story book cafe operated by Literary Town Publishing Company (문학동네), creating a unique literary haven in the vibrant Hongdae-Hapjeong area. Spanning 6 floors including a basement, this expansive cultural space combines a carefully curated bookstore with a cafe, workspace, and exhibition areas. The highlight is the rooftop terrace on the 6th floor, offering panoramic views of the neighborhood. The quiet and clean environment makes it an excellent spot for reading, working on your laptop, or simply enjoying a peaceful coffee break. With its vast collection of books and comfortable seating, Cafe Comma has become a beloved destination for book lovers and digital nomads alike.
Coffee Libre
An award-winning independent coffee shop that started as a small hole-in-the-wall in Yeonnam-dong and has become a beloved destination for specialty coffee enthusiasts. Coffee Libre's dedication to quality and simplicity has earned them annual Blue Ribbon awards, making them one of Seoul's most respected coffee destinations.
Deep Blue Lake Coffee
A striking blue three-story roastery cafe in Mangwon-dong, renowned for Nordic-style light roasting and specialty coffee. The distinctive exterior matches the bright, minimalist interior where coffee enthusiasts can enjoy "tea-like" light roasted beans. Located near Mangwon Market, this neighborhood favorite embodies the trendy Mangridan-gil cafe culture.
Gaemi Maeul (Ant Village)
A charming hillside mural village in Hongje-dong, featuring colorful street art, narrow alleyways, and panoramic city views - a hidden photography gem away from tourist crowds.
Growers
A serene brunch cafe in the quiet Yeonhui-dong neighborhood, featuring beautiful flowers and trees at its entrance and a spacious garden that makes it perfect for dates. This cafe offers a peaceful atmosphere away from the bustling crowds of nearby Hongdae.
Hongdae Club Street
Seoul's most famous clubbing district with venues for every music taste, from hip-hop to EDM to indie rock.
Hongdae Playground
The heart of Hongdae's street performance culture, where indie artists, buskers, and dancers showcase their talents every weekend.
Ichizen
A beloved tendon specialist in Mangwon-dong's trendy Mangridangil street, Ichizen has built a devoted following since opening in May 2017. This small, 14-seat restaurant serves authentic Japanese-style tendon (tempura rice bowls) that rivals anything you'd find in Japan itself. The restaurant's commitment to quality has made it one of Seoul's top two tendon destinations, drawing long queues especially during meal times.
IMMU Bake Shop
A beloved neighborhood bakery in Hongdae known for its exceptional French-style pastries and artisan breads. IMMU Bake Shop creates fresh-baked goods daily using premium ingredients and traditional techniques, offering everything from flaky croissants and pain au chocolat to seasonal fruit tarts and savory sandwiches.
Jinuh Tuna (진어참치)
A hidden gem in Yeonnam-dong's residential alleys, run by a "tuna doctor" with 30 years of experience, serving premium bluefin tuna with various rare cuts including belly, gills, and reproductive organs.
943 King's Cross
Step into the magical world of wizardry at 943 King's Cross, Asia's largest Harry Potter themed cafe located in the heart of Hongdae. This enchanting establishment brings the beloved Harry Potter universe to life with its meticulously designed interior and magical atmosphere.
Koriko Cafe
Step into the magical world of Studio Ghibli's "Kiki's Delivery Service" at this officially licensed themed cafe in Yeonnam-dong. Koriko Cafe meticulously recreates the enchanting atmosphere of the beloved animated film across three whimsical floors, making it a must-visit destination for Ghibli fans and cafe enthusiasts alike.
Laika Cinema
Seoul's hidden gem for cinephiles, this intimate 40-seat art house cinema opened in 2021 in the quiet residential neighborhood of Yeonhui-dong. Unlike commercial multiplexes, Laika Cinema specializes in curated independent, experimental, and international art films that rarely get theatrical releases in Korea. The cinema is located in the basement of Space Dog, a cultural complex, creating a cozy, underground film club atmosphere.
Cafe Layered Yeonnam
One of the most massive and popular cafes in Yeonnam-dong, Cafe Layered has become a destination for scone lovers and vintage French aesthetic enthusiasts. This spacious cafe features charming vintage French-style decor with warm wooden elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels like stepping into a Parisian patisserie.
Maidreamin Hongdae (메이드리밍 홍대)
Get ready for an authentic Japanese maid cafe experience in the heart of Seoul's vibrant Hongdae district. Opening July 2025, Maidreamin brings Japan's largest maid cafe franchise to Korea, offering visitors an immersive slice of otaku culture with its signature "moe moe kyun" service.
Nishimuramen
A Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen restaurant from Fukuoka that uniquely blends Japanese ramen with French cooking techniques. The signature Kyokai Paitan ramen features a rich chicken-based broth, tender char siu, and aromatic seaweed oil.
Perlen HAUS
Perlen HAUS is a unique dessert omakase cafe in Yeonnam-dong offering an elevated coffee and dessert pairing experience. The minimalist interior and concept store atmosphere create an intimate setting for their signature Perlen Pairing Course, where carefully selected desserts are matched with specialty coffee. This reservation-recommended cafe appeals to those seeking a more refined cafe experience beyond typical coffee shops, combining design aesthetics with culinary craftsmanship.
PITC (Pearl in the Clay)
Experience the magic of Christmas year-round at PITC, one of Yeonnam-dong's most enchanting cafes. This spacious three-story establishment captivates visitors with its stunning Christmas tree decorations and exotic atmosphere.
Saeraul
A stunning multi-level cafe housed in a renovated building spanning basement to 3rd floor in Yeonhui-dong. The highlight is the beautiful bamboo garden in the basement, where you can enjoy the soothing sounds of water while surrounded by nature.
Saeraul
A serene garden cafe housed in a beautifully renovated traditional Korean home in the quiet Yeonhui-dong neighborhood. Saeraul (새라울) offers a peaceful escape from Seoul's bustling streets, with a charming bamboo garden where you can listen to the soothing sound of flowing water while enjoying your coffee.
Side Note Club
A stylish rooftop cocktail bar on the 15th floor of RYSE, Autograph Collection by Marriott, bringing Brooklyn-inspired nightlife energy to Hongdae. This trendy venue features both a sleek interior lounge and a comfortable outdoor terrace, offering panoramic views over the vibrant Hongdae neighborhood. The open rooftop atmosphere combined with creative cocktails makes it a popular destination for Seoul's young and hip crowd.
Supsok Hanbang Land (Traditional Oriental Forest Land)
An authentic traditional Korean jjimjilbang centered around charcoal kiln saunas, located near Sinchon Station in Seoul. Supsok Hanbang Land is renowned as one of the few remaining jjimjilbangs that still uses traditional outdoor charcoal-burning kilns, offering a genuine Korean wellness experience rooted in ancient healing practices.
Susanghan Bagel
Located near Sinsu Station in Hongdae, Susanghan Bagel is a bagel specialty bakery cafe that offers a cozy and warm atmosphere reminiscent of French bakeries in Europe. The shop has gained significant popularity among bagel lovers for its variety of bagels and desserts, particularly known for their chewy and soft texture.
The Magazine Club
A magazine lover's paradise tucked in Hapjeong's basement, housing over 400 domestic and international magazines spanning diverse interests. This neighborhood bookstore curates monthly themed exhibitions in collaboration with publishers, introducing readers to unique publications while serving as a community gathering spot in the Hongdae area.
TYPE Coffee Hangang
A sophisticated Han River view cafe located on the 5th floor of a building in Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu. TYPE Coffee Hangang offers a serene escape with panoramic views of the Han River, Yeouido, and the surrounding cityscape. The cafe is particularly stunning during sunset (after 5 PM) when the golden light transforms the Han River into a canvas of warm colors visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Umai Dango Yeonnam
A unique Japanese dango specialty shop bringing traditional Japanese sweets to Seoul with a modern Korean twist. Famous for their signature Mitarashi Dango (sweet soy glaze with roasted soybean powder), this cozy spot also offers creative variations including spicy Karai Dango, Azuki Dango, Nori Dango, Lotus Dango, and even Garlic Baguette Dango. Located just 5 minutes walk from Hongdae Station towards Yeonnam-dong, next to Dotori Caricature shop.
Yeonnam-dong
A trendy neighborhood next to Hongdae known for its cozy cafes, indie bookstores, and the beautiful Gyeongui Line Forest Park.
YOUR MIND
A hidden gem independent bookstore nestled in a charming residential house in Yeonhui-dong. YOUR MIND specializes in independent publications and art books created by small domestic publishers and individual artists. The cozy 2nd-floor space with a small courtyard creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for browsing unique publications.
Tips
Visit on Friday or Saturday evening to enjoy busking and street performances!