The discerning traveller’s guide to Hongdae, Seoul’s coolest neighbourhood
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The discerning traveller'southward guide to Hongdae, Seoul's coolest neighbourhood
With keen shopping, scrumptious food and design-driven hotels, this buzzy surface area in the S Korean upper-case letter isn't just for university students anymore.
(Photograph: Karen Tee)
16 Sep 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 10:30PM)
You've lived the high life oppa Gangnam fashion, shopped till you lot dropped in Myeongdong and soaked in traditional fine art at Insadong. Now, information technology's fourth dimension to get a glimpse into the artistic centre of Seoul – the vibrant Hongdae neighborhood.
Its name is derived from the nearby Hongik University, a prestigious fine arts institution. This expanse initially became a center of indie music and culture and a treasure trove of vintage shops when students began moving in.
Today, as befits its reputation as one of the most vibrant precincts in the city, its tiny streets are jam-packed with trendy boutiques, cool cafes and bars and chic boutique hotels.
Just its greatest force tin as well be its weakness – it can exist hard to tell what's good and what's not. For the discerning traveller, hither's an edit of the places to encounter and be seen in in Hongdae.
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EAT/Drink
Fine dining has not quite reached Hongdae notwithstanding, but there are a few gems that are well worth a meal at. L'Impasse 81 is a smart French brasserie that specialises in house made charcuterie such as boudin, pate and rillette – a rare find in the city.
For something more local, caput to Michelin Bib Gourmand eating place Okdongsik, which elevates the traditional homestyle rice and soup dish to a whole new level. At this no-reservations joint, razor thin slices of melt-in-your-rima oris pork is placed over fluffy white rice and generously doused in a flavourful clear bone goop. For a striking of spice and more than umami, consume this with as much kimchi every bit you'd like. Order the big serving – you won't regret information technology.
For an afterward-hours tipple, y'all will exist spoilt for selection in Hongdae, which is filled with bars, nightclubs and alive music venues. Many of these establishments have a slightly grungy vibe – this is a university area after all – so when it is time to kick back, make a beeline for Side Annotation Club, the rooftop bar at Ryse Hotel. With an enviable vinyl collection, a killer cocktail and whiskey menu and a proficient roster of DJs and live performances, there's no better place to soak in the electric atmosphere of Hongdae.
When the hustle and bustle gets as well intense, escape the fizz at the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, located right side by side to the Hongdae subway station. This 6.3km long green lung runs along an old, unused railway track and is a popular hangout, especially in the evening when locals gather on the grassy lawns and aplenty benches for a picnic or merely to hang out. In that location are enough of cafes and restaurants lining either side of the park for when you lot need a pitstop or simply to people watch.
For a glimpse into Seoul's thriving music scene – which is non merely limited to K-pop tunes – take a stroll along Eoulmadag-ro, sometimes known as Hongdae Style Street. Musicians, bands and dancers often busk here and while the quality of the performances does vary, a number of popular independent bands, such equally 10cm and Monni, were discovered hither. So, keep your eyes peeled and you might only discover the next big affair ahead of the masses.
Store
The endless rows of tiny clothing and accessory boutiques make for great browsing – and affordable buys – but to be honest, the products can stop up looking similar variations of whatsoever is trendiest afterward a while.
If yous are fourth dimension starved, head to the Instagram-friendly Hongdae outposts of Style Nanda and Aland. Both multi-characterization boutiques comport a solidly curated range of stylish, well-designed wearing apparel that will have you looking like a Grand-drama celebrity in no time at all.
These are also expert spots to stock upwardly on cool K-beauty brands. Fashion Nanda'south in-business firm make-upward brand 3CE is a cult favourite while the beauty section of Aland is a veritable emporium of hard-to-detect, up-and-coming skincare brands, including CosRx, Klairs and Son & Park. (Tip: The Way Nanda Hongdae outlet is slated to reopen on Oct ane following a two-month refurbishment)
In that location's also a expert pick of designer stores to check out, including the flagship Gentle Monster boutique, which is all-time described as an installation art gallery meets edgy eyewear designs; Korean-endemic German luxury leather goods make MCM; and the but Jordan store in Seoul, where customers can savour customisation services.
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SLEEP
In recent years, a number of pattern-centric boutique hotels have opened in this colourful district, providing a luxe option to the hostels that used to typify this area.
Designed past compages firm Michaelis Boyd, which is is known for multiple Soho Business firm locations in London, Ryse Hotel, by the Marriott's Autograph Collection, is arguably the chic-est of the lot.
With raw concrete walls juxtaposed against pink resin flooring and other pops of colour, the hotel'southward calorie-free filled public spaces are not bad gathering spot in the centre of Hongdae.
A highlight are the hotel's five Artist Suites, which have been decorated by five different artists around the globe. With graphic touches such as coloured wall panels and statement light fixtures, this certain isn't your standard cookie-cutter bolthole.
Merely downwardly the road is 9Brick Hotel, which has smartly designed rooms with modern amenities similar iPod docks, flat screen televisions and multiple charging ports for all sorts of mobile devices. Fifty-fifty the smallest rooms are spacious enough to firm two travellers comfortably while larger rooms come up with indulgent touches such as whirlpool tubs and seating areas.
Other options to consider nearby are L7 Hongdae by Lotte and the Holiday Inn Limited Seoul Hongdae, which is situated in a modern loftier-ascent building.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/hongdae-seoul-travel-guide-246061
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