Hongdae

Hongdae's strength is places open late — a ramen shop of over twenty years running to 3 a.m., a build-your-own ramen, a snow-crab course, and a cat cafe by day. Hakata Bunko runs until 3 a.m.; Butanchu lets you pick the noodle and broth density; Kim & Kim does a snow-crab course. Toward Sangsu there's Yokosuka Tsunami, an aged-sashimi izakaya with a line before opening, and toward Hapjeong there's Rokgalbi for pre-grilled spicy pork ribs — good for an evening drinking run. By day there are places to pause, like the Roofcatme cat cafe.