A Complete Guide to Hongdae, Seoul: Where to Shop, Eat & More

There are so many cool areas in Seoul, but Hongdae might just be the coolest of them all. Home to Hongik University, one of the top art and design schools in South Korea, Hongdae is buzzing with a youthful and creative energy. When it comes to fun and entertaining things to do in Seoul, you'll find endless options throughout Hongdae.

Want to do some shopping? Hongdae Shopping Street has it all, from vintage shops to Korean beauty boutiques and trendy flagship stores. Once you're all shopped out, take some time to be entertained by the talented street performers, check out the colourful street art murals, stroll through Gyeongui Line Forest Park, and eat as much street food as humanly possible.

Plus, it wouldn't be a university area without excellent nightlife options. Whether you want to see an indie show at a livehouse, sing the night away at a noraebang, or let loose at a club, there are nightlife venues to suit all tastes.

Planning a visit to Seoul's vibrant Hongdae neighbourhood? This handy guide will lead you to all the essential things to do, places to eat and drink, and must-visit shops to help you make the most of your trip.

To get a true local feel in Hongdae, seek out the closest noraebang. Noraebang is Korea's answer to karaoke. Instead of belting it out in a room full of strangers, you and your friends can rent a private, soundproof room and sing your hearts out.

This is a very popular activity, especially in the artsy, student-oriented Hongdae area. And don't worry if you don't speak Korean, you'll find plenty of English-language songs on the menu.

There are dozens of live music venues hidden away in Hongdae, from hole-in-the-wall indie affairs to larger, slightly more mainstream venues. For strong local vibes, head to Club Victim for punk rock, Club FF for everything from rock to EDM, and Club Evans for all things jazz. But even Hongdae's larger venues, like Rolling Hall, offer an intimate concert experience.

Those wanting free things to do in Hongdae should keep an eye out for the many street performers. From up-and-coming K-pop stars to musicians, magicians, mimes, and everything in between, you'll find some incredibly talented buskers doing their thing on the main streets of Hongdae. While you can absolutely enjoy the show for free, a small tip is always appreciated.

Hongdae is artsy to its core, which means you're going to find plenty of street art and murals in this part of town. While you never quite know what you're going to find, some of the best places to see street art in Hongdae are along Hongdae Mural Street (Picasso Street) and Fashion Street. The street art scene is ever-changing, so your best bet is to get lost down Hongdae's alleyways and see what you can find.

When it comes to unique things to do in Hongdae, spending some time exploring Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a must. This former railway line has been given new life as a 6.3-kilometre-long urban green space.

It's a popular spot amongst locals for walking, jogging, and biking. Along the path, you'll even come across quirky art installations, old train stations, and other hidden gems. The park is also home to "Book Street," which is lined with quirky bookstores.

Here's where to find the best shopping in Hongdae.

Hongdae Shopping Street is a shopper's paradise. You can peruse the cute character goods at the Kakao Friends Flagship Store, be immersed in all things K-pop at K-Pop Square, go to the mall at AK Plaza Hongdae, pick up trendy streetwear at M PLAYGROUND Hongdae, and shop for Korean beauty products at Olive Young. The shopping options go on and on.

One of the most fun things to do in Hongdae is to peruse all of the adorable character goods at the Kakao Friends Flagship Store. Even if you're not familiar with the characters behind Kakao Talk, the popular Korean messaging app, you're going to want to buy a trinket or two from this shop.

From home goods, kitchenware, and stationery to phone covers, stuffed animals, and clothing, get ready to fall in love with characters like Ryan the lion, Apeach the "sexy peach," and Muzi the radish dressed as a rabbit.

If you love thrifting, you're going to go wild in Hongdae. It's well worth taking your time to explore the area to see what vintage gems you can find. But if you're not sure where to start, you'll find affordable second-hand clothes at Root Hongdae, designer goods at Vintage Santa, and vintage sports jerseys at Hide Bunker.

Fuel up during your time in Hongdae, here's where to eat and drink.

If you're scouring the Hongdae area for cool cafés, you're going to find them in spades. When it comes to themed cafés, you simply must visit the Harry Potter-inspired 943 King’s Cross Café, the Hello Kitty-themed Sanrio Lovers Club, and Happy Bear Day for its cutesy bear cakes, desserts, and coffee drinks.

For something totally unique, Sinleedoga is an ultra-modern café that's housed in a traditional Hanok house, while Thanks Nature Café allows you to snack on Insta-worthy bingsu and waffles and have a meet-and-greet with the fluffy resident sheep.

When it comes to bars in the Hongdae area, the selection is vast and varied. However, here are a few suggestions to get you started in the right direction.

For serious party vibes, Mike's Cabin is a popular spot. However, if you prefer a dive bar atmosphere with Korean bar snacks, Bar Da might be more up your alley. And then there's the craft beer at Craft Hans, the beach vibes at Rooftop Urban Beach, the cocktails and music at Vinyl Bar, and the soju-infused drinks at Hongdae Pocha.

The main streets of Hongdae are lined with street food vendors hawking cheap and delicious eats. A few must-try dishes include Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki (rice cakes drenched in a spicy red sauce), hotteok (sweet pancakes), mandu (dumplings), kimbap (Korean sushi), and skewered tornado potatoes, to name just a few options.

No visit to Seoul is complete without sampling a few local favourites at a sit-down restaurant. In Hongdae, you can socialise over chicken and "snow" beer at Cocoro, feast on Korean BBQ at Jeju Special House, choose from 225 varieties of instant noodles at the CU Ramyun Library, warm up with a bowl of gamjatang (pork backbone stew) at Yeongdong Gamjatang, and try jokbal (braised pig's trotters) at Myth Jokbal.

But if you're craving some international flavours, you'll find a wide range of cuisines in Hongdae, from Mexican at Gusto Taco to Italian at Rosso 1924.

Hongdae is very well-connected to the rest of Seoul via the subway. Take the subway to either Hongik University Station or Hapjeong Station and you'll be right in the heart of Hongdae. Travelling in from the airport? The AREX train runs directly to Hongik University Station.

The best things to do in Hongdae are to go shopping along Hongdae Shopping Street, watch the talented buskers, get Insta-worthy photos at the themed cafés, check out the street art murals, let loose at the many nightlife venues, and eat street food.

The hidden gems in Hongdae are constantly changing, as new bars, restaurants, and music venues are popping up year after year. However, whether you're looking for a fresh street art mural, a pop-up shop, or a fun local festival, you'll find plenty of hidden gems on the streets of Hongdae.

It's very easy to explore Seoul’s main attractions from a base in Hongdae. Located in Mapo District in southern Seoul, Hongdae is home to multiple subway stations, making getting around the city a breeze. For the easiest access to Hongdae, get off at Hongik University Station or Hapjeong Station.

Anyone hoping to stay right in the heart of the action will find Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae an excellent choice. This four-star hotel is just steps from Hongik University Station and Hongdae Shopping Street, so the location can't be beat. Plus, the rooms here are outfitted with plush beds, 49-inch flat-screen TVs with Chromecast, Bluetooth speakers, designated workstations, and free Wi-Fi. You can also take advantage of the on-site gym, as well as the trendy bar and restaurant. You'll have everything you need for your Seoul getaway.