The Best of Hongdae — My Picks From What I've Reviewed
Seoul · Hongdae
Hongdae's strength is places open late. A ramen shop running over twenty years, a snow-crab course, an izakaya with a line before opening, and a makgeolli bar are spread from Hongik University Station out to Sangsu and Hapjeong. Here's a pick from what I've reviewed, matched to a route running from afternoon into late night.
For a route: take a daytime break with the cats at Roofcatme, right by Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9, then cover dinner with ramen at Hakata Bunko or Butanchu, or a snow-crab course at Kim & Kim. As the night goes on, it flows naturally into aged sashimi at Yokosuka Tsunami or makgeolli at Sangsu Jutaek toward Sangsu, and pork ribs at Rokgalbi toward Hapjeong.
Hakata Bunko runs until 3 a.m., and Yokosuka Tsunami draws a line before it even opens, so build in some slack. Hongik University Station, Sangsu, and Hapjeong are all walkable from each other, so a single day's route can run from an afternoon cafe stop all the way to late-night ramen.
Roofcatme Cat Cafe, Hongdae
Right by Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9, a quick break with the cats.
2
Hakata Bunko
A 20-plus-year ramen shop open until 3 a.m.
3
Butanchu Hongdae
Tonkotsu ramen where you pick the noodle and broth density.
4
Kim & Kim Snow Crab
A Hongdae snow-crab course, from porridge to abalone.
5
Yokosuka Tsunami Sangsu
An aged-sashimi izakaya with a line before opening — the daily special is the real deal.
6
Sangsu Jutaek
A bar in a converted old house in Sangsu, with a wide makgeolli lineup.
7
Rokgalbi Hapjeong
Pre-grilled seasoned pork ribs, thick-cut and meaty.