Seoul is one of our favourite destinations in Asia and the city is known for its many distinct and lively districts where you will never get bored of the endless shopping, delicious local food and exciting things to do.

Ask any local where you should go when you are in Seoul and many will tell you that Hongdae is a neighbourhood you must not miss. It is not difficult to guess why Hongdae is one of the top choices—there is just so much going on!

From indulging in spicy Korean Army Stews and getting a tipple with your friends in a bar to street shopping and catching street performances, here are 12 Things To See, Do & Eat When You Are In Hongdae.

WHERE TO EAT

#1 BAN BOSSY BOUTIQUE

Boasting primarily pastel colours in pink, mint and white, walking into Ban Bossy Boutique is like stepping into Barbie-land. It is the perfect spot for afternoon tea with your girlfriends, complete with Instagram-worthy backdrops and an appealing array of cupcakes.

An afternoon tea at Ban Bossy Boutique looks something like this—munching on exquisitely decorated cupcakes and sipping on a pretty beverage. Yes, this is the life in Seoul!

19-22 Wausan-ro 17-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 9896
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

#2 MUKSHIDONNA TTEOKBOKKI

Mukshidonna Tteokbokki is a fuss-free restaurant that specialises in Budae Jjigae and guests get to customise the stew with an array of ingredients. Every pot comes with tteokbokki (Korean rice cake) by default, and that is their signature.

Popular ingredients on the menu are seafood, bulgogi and cheese but if you are looking for the staples, there is always ramyeon and udon.

22 Hongik-ro 6-gil
Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: shawnongph

#3 SIMPSON TANG

Opened by a pair of Korean singers, Hwang Bo and Shim Tae Yoon, Simpson Tang—also known as Sim Seun Tang to the locals— is another popular Budae Jjigae restaurant to visit when you are in Hongdae.

The soup base is made from ox bones and mixed with red chilli paste and kimchi to produce a fragrant stock. Standard ingredients such as sausages, spam, cabbage and cheese are added into the soup.

30 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70-4100-8318
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: Doma

#4 DOMA

Korean barbecue is not taken lightly by the locals and if quality is what you are after, Doma will not disappoint. Using only beef from Nebraska, diners can choose to get assorted sets with different cuts of meat or get individual meats such as Raw Prime Rib Meat, Bottom Sirloin Triangle and Seasoned Prime Ribs.

Grill them over hot charcoal and enjoy them with a mixture of savoury ban chan dishes!

33 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 03 3477 5111
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 5am
Sat to Sun: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: OkDongsik

#5 OKDONGSIK

For those who are craving for a comforting bowl of gomtang (beef bone soup), OkDongsik is an up-and-coming restaurant that deserves a mention. Opened in 2017, the cosy restaurant only has counter seats where diners are able to watch the chef at work.

In order to achieve that full-flavoured beef stock that is satisfying till the very last drop, premium black pork meat and bones are simmered for hours in the kitchen. Have the clear soup with plump white rice and some ban chan at the side.

44-10 Yanghwa-ro 7-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 507 1424 9911
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Hapjeong

WHERE TO DRINK

Photo Credit: Playground Rooftop Bar & Cafe

#6 PLAYGROUND ROOFTOP CAFE & BAR

Playground Rooftop Cafe & Bar is where you will find the party animals—from foreign exchange students to hip young locals. The two storey bar has its own rooftop space where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail with your friends.

Otherwise, social butterflies will enjoy taking part in their weekly events—language exchange coffee meetings, international parties and cocktail parties are just some to name.

14 Wausan-ro 21-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 0774
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: gogosallyyyy

#7 VINYL

If street bars are your thing instead, Vinyl is a quirky watering hole where colourful alcoholic drinks are served in transparent IV bags. Go there for their neat range of cocktails but it really is the hipster interior that will keep you lingering on for a chat with your traveling partners.

61-1 Wausan-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 322 4161
Mon to Fri: 4pm – 12.30am
Sat to Sun: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Sangsu

Photo Credit: Robin’s Square

#8 ROBIN’S SQUARE

For the serious drinkers who are looking for craft cocktails in the Hongdae vicinity, leave it to the experienced bartenders at Robin’s Square to whip up your poison of choice. Nestled on the basement level of the Vans store, the unpretentious bar offers crafts spirits sourced from all over the world.

69 Wausan-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 6085 6421
Sun to Thu: 7pm – 4am
Fri to Sat: 7pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Sangsu

WHERE TO SHOP

#9 HONGDAE SHOPPING DISTRICT

Located near Hongik University, Hongdae Shopping District is where you will find the best buys at affordable prices that are kept low to attract students.

There are free concerts from time to time, and you can even pop by the Hongdae Free Market from March to November to see shoes, shirts, ceramic accessories and more handmade by Hongik University students.

Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Hongik University

WHAT TO SEE

#10 STREET PERFORMANCES

Walk down the streets of Hongdae and you will be greeted by many street artistes showcasing their talents. You will most definitely be impressed by the dancers who put up show stopping performances that do not lose out to professional Kpop groups. If you are feeling the beat, no one will fault you for grooving to the music!

Photo Credit: Bunny Cafe

#11 BUNNY CAFE

Animal lovers will find Bunny Cafe right up their alley. Home to 12 adorable furry bunnies of various breeds, visitors get to cuddle up with them and take lots of pictures for keepsake.

What is a trip to an animal cafe without personally feeding them personally? Simply top up W2,000 for a bag of tidbits and you get to feed the bunnies! Do note that you are only allowed to feed the bunnies with food purchased at the cafe.

136-10 Eoulmadang-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 333 1660
Daily: 1pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: govoyagin

#12 NANTA THEATRE

Catch a live comedic performance at NANTA Theatre which offers excellent shows that will leave you laughing and crying at the same time. There are both cooking and acrobatic shows but the former is what’s most popular there. The best part? You don’t even have to understand Korean to appreciate the shows.

29 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 739 8288
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Whether you are a fashionista or someone who appreciates a gorgeous building, you will fall in love with the Stylenanda Pink Hotel, an iconic building in the heart of the Myeongdong district in Seoul, South Korea.

Stylenanda Pink Hotel is Stylenanda’s themed flagship store in Myeongdong but many will definitely mistake it as an actual hotel because of its exterior; the exterior of the hotel reminds us of a quaint little hotel in a European suburb with an adorable pink front, retro windows and a LED light sign.

The Stylenanda Pink Hotel spans a total of 6 levels and each level is themed and designed beautifully. If you venture all the way to the highest floor, there is a rooftop terrace area where you can just chill and relax after a long day of shopping. Here is what you can expect from the Stylenanda Pink Hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea.

Walking around Myeongdong, you will not miss this amazing and gorgeous pink building. The Stylenanda Pink Hotel is a heaven for Korean fashion lovers as it embodies the main theme of quirky and beautiful Korean fashion trends.

The first two levels of the “hotel” are the “Lobby” and “Spa” but it mainly displays Stylenanda’s beauty line–3ce.

3ce is a well-known brand that is sold internationally but you can find a load more products to swatch and play here. Check out the colourful eyeshadows, lipsticks and lip tints before heading up to the next few levels to check out the clothing and accessories.

The third floor is a mini showcase of Stylenanda’s Nanda Made collection where it showcases the best of their in-house brand. You can find simple and flattering basics to loud and expressive colourful clothing.

What we love best about Korean fashion is the plethora of colourful choices you get at almost every store.

The fourth floor of the Stylenanda Pink Hotel is the Laundry level where accessories such as jewellery, sunglasses, caps and shoes are displayed. The whole level is style just like a retro laundromat you can find plenty of on-trend pieces to buy.

Before leaving, remember to check out the Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafe too! There are plenty of drinks and bakes for you to enjoy in between shopping.

Stylenanda Pink Hotel
37-8 Myeongdong 8-gil
Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-752-4546
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

From multi-brand stores to full-fledge labels, Seoul is home to countless beautiful boutiques and stores that are totally made for the gram.

The amazing aesthetics and interior design of both independent concept stores and global fashion brands enhance your entire shopping experience in Seoul. Just stepping into the aesthetically-pleasing stores and being surrounded by the trendiest clothing make you feel a little more fashionable and stylish. Not to mention, you also get to take plenty of OOTDs there too!

Whether or not you are a shopaholic, these few boutiques in South Korea’s shopping districts are worth visiting, especially if you are one for well-designed spaces and pretty interiors. Here are 7 Stunning Boutiques And Stores In Seoul That Are 100% Interior Goals.

#1 GENTLE MONSTER 

The Gentle Monster store in Hongdae is making waves on social media all over the world and is easily one of the most popular and coveted labels for eyewear now.

The Hongdae showroom features a little exhibition on the ground floor, educating viewers on how Gentle Monster sunglasses are made. In fact, the entire showroom is modelled after a science lab—with beakers, test tubes and other scientific equipment found all over the place.

Gentle Monster
404-6, Seogyo-Dong, Mapo-Gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 2-3144-0864
Daily: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

#2 STYLENANDA PINK HOTEL

StyleNanda Pink Hotel is the brand’s third flagship store in Seoul.

The first floor is where you can find the lobby, complete with a concierge desk and hotel keys hanging on the wall. The second floor features a look that resembles that of a retro dressing room, while the third floor has “hotel rooms” lining the hallways.

Beyond that, there is the Pink Pool Café on the fifth floor, where you can relax and unwind after some shopping. The cafe is decorated with square tiles, powder pink beach seats, and vibrant neon lights that makes the perfect backdrop for pictures.

StyleNanda Pink Hotel
37-8, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +81 2-752-4546
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

Photo Credit: Hipshops

#3 PLATFORM PLACE

PLATFORM PLACE’s retail store is decorated mostly with warm undertones and lots of open spaces—walking into the shop is like stepping into one of those pretty homes you see on Pinterest.

The multi-label store houses everything from fashion to lifestyle brands, homeware, and even mini succulents. There is surely something for everyone when it comes to its extensive range of lifestyle products.

PLATFORM PLACE
668-28, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Korea
Daily: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Photo Credit: TimeOut

#4 KOON WITH A VIEW

Koon With A View is one of the first concept stores in Seoul that has been around for 20 years. The store is modelled after circus—with a doorway framed with neon lights, red and white curtains, and even a stuffed tiger on the second floor.

Koon With A View houses premium brands such as J.W. Anderson and is a great spot for fashionistas who are interested to find out about other up-and-coming fashion brands.

Koon With A View
33, Apgujeong-ro 12-gil
Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +81 2-3443-4507
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station Sinsa

#5 QUEENMAMA MARKET

Queenmama Market combines an urban lifestyle boutique that spans across two levels and a mezzanine, an entire level of curated books, and a huge cafe that does some serious coffee business. If you need anything gardening-related, eco-friendly goods or books, Queenmama Market is the place to visit.

The fourth level is Manufact, a ground for serious coffee lovers. The cafe deals primarily with cold brew, but if that is not up your alley, there is also your regular brews.

Queenmama Market
50 Apgujeong-ro, 46-gil Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +81 70-4281-3370
Tue to Sat: 10.30am – 8pm
Sun: 12 – 8pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Apgujeon-rodeo

Photo Credit: Architecture Lab

#6 SLOW STEADY CLUB & CAFÉ

Founded by the brains behind fashion label Blankof, The Slow Steady Club’s pristine all-white boutique stands out from its neighbours. The clientele there is made up of young and hip locals who visit the place for their selection of apparels and aromatic coffee at the cafe.

With white as their predominant colour scheme, everything from the floors to the walls and even the shelves are painted in a sleek shade of white.

Slow Steady Club & Café
130-1 Palpan Jongno-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +81 2-725-1301
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#7 MMMG 

Short for Millimetre Milligram, MMMG is a homegrown Korean stationery store with shelves upon shelves of stationery and lifestyle products. The raw concrete and addition of geometric benches and tables add to the entire industrial look and feel of the place.

Besides being a retail store, MMMG also has a café, where you can pop by for some cakes and drinks if you are feeling a little peckish.

MMMG 
240 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, Korea
Daily: 11.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides.

Seoul might as well be known as the city of shopping, with its seemingly endless stretches of streets lined with stores of all kinds. Clothes, shoes, bags, beauty products—you name it, Seoul probably has it. It is basically impossible to visit the South Korean capital without doing some serious shopping.

There is a vast number of markets, malls and shopping districts in Seoul that could get you lost and confused, especially if it is your first time visiting the land of kimchi. But whether you are looking to splurge a little more, or going tighter on the budget, Seoul’s vibrant shopping streets cater to all.

Here are The 5 Must-Visit Shopping Districts In Seoul.

#1 MYEONG-DONG SHOPPING DISTRICT

A visit to Myeong-dong is a no-brainer. It is dubbed as the center of shopping in South Korea, with big names such as H&M, Zara, UNIQLO, Nike, and more calling the district home.

A quick walk down the street will also prove how much Koreans love their beauty products—there is an abundance of skincare and beauty stores all around Myeong-dong. This is where you find all the cult Korean brands and the popular names that you always see Korean models and YouTubers endorse.

The best part is that a number of the stores in Myeong-dong offer shopping discounts for tourists, so be sure to check with the sale staff before you shop! While you are doing so, do not forget to indulge in Myeong-dong’s best street food.

Myeong-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Myeong-dong Station

#2 EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY

Put a shopping street near a university and you will immediately get pocket-friendly prices, and an array of trendier apparel selection. Because students are always scrimping and looking out for the best deals, the stores surrounding the school serve as a cheaper shopping option for those on a budget.

Pop by the shopping district right outside Ewha Womans University as that is where you can also find affordable fashion apparels and a selection of cheaper restaurants and cafes. When you are tired of shopping, pay a visit to the university for a look and feel of the schools in South Korea.

Ewha Womans University
52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seoul
Nearest Station: Ewha Women University

#3 DONGDAEMUN MARKET

If a full day of shopping and eating isn’t enough (and why would it be?), go down to Dongdaemun market. The shops here only start at about 9pm and doesn’t close till 5am in the morning.

Consider Dongdaemun as South Korea’s very own Platinum Mall. The district is split into two main sections—the retail stores and wholesale markets. The stores mainly sell their goods at regular retail prices, while the latter offer dirt-cheap, wholesale prices instead.

In fact, it is said that apparels from street shops you see in train stations or shopping districts get their stocks from Dongdaemun!

Dongdaemun Market
Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Dongdaemun

#4 HONGDAE SHOPPING DISTRICT

Hongdae is, quite simply, a must-visit destination while you are in Seoul. Located near Hongik University, the stuff you’ll find there is also reasonably cheap. But shopping isn’t all that you can do at Hongdae.

Because Hongik University is known for its arts programmes, you will be able to experience a bit more of the Korean youth culture while you are there.

There are free concerts from time to time, and you can even pop by the Hongdae Free Market from March to November to see shoes, shirts, ceramic accessories and more handmade by Hongik University students.

Hongdae Shopping District
Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest Staion: Hongik University

Photo Credit: The Seoul Guide

#5 APGUJEONG RODEO STREET

Can’t get enough of your Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada bags? Apgujeong is probably where you will be happiest. Located in Gangnam, this street is lined with high-end fashion labels that will bring out your inner shopaholic. There is also the Galleria Department Store which houses many other big fashion brands.

Those who are unwilling to splurge has other options at Apgujeong as well. Keep a lookout for independent stores featuring street fashion apparels at affordable price tags.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Apgujeong

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides featuring the best places to visit in the city.