What to eat, What to Do at Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, Mangwon-dong, Ewha Women'
- Joey Chai
- Oct 28, 2017
- 5 min read
Most tourists have heard of Hongdae, Hapjeong but little did they know that these hot spots in Seoul city are located in an area called the Mapo-gu (마포구), which includes places such as Yeonnam-dong (연남동), Mangwon-dong (망원동), Ahyeon-dong (아현동) etc. that is much loved by the locals nowadays. (ps: This post will mainly focus good eateries around this area)
Things to do and eat around Mapo-gu and areas around it:
1. Ewha Women's University (이화여자대학교)
The place that is regarded as a shopping paradise for the girls. Not only that there are actually lots of good food being sold at reasonable price here in this univ. area.
There are just so many clothing and shoes stalls over here, definitely a shopping paradise for girls. (There ARE actually some stalls selling male clothings too but they're comparingly less stalls as compared to the female's)
(i) Street foods along the street to Ewha Univ.
Streetfood is definitely one of the must-try while you're walking your way towards the school. Some of them tasted REALLY good. (as recommended on pic above). Much cosmetic shops are found along the street too so girls, prepare your wallet!
(i) Mother In Law Begel (마더린러 베이글)
The choices of begel and cream cheese just amazed me much when I walked into this begel shop. The price of a begel here ranges between 4-6,000 won, depending on what type of begel and cream cheese you picked.
I ordered the almond cream cheese and OMG it's good, the cream cheese is just so fulfilling. (Note: I can hardly finish one by myself, it's so filling!)
Add: 5 Ewhayeodae 5-gil, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
(i) Be Meal (비밀)
This is a bread store opened by a famous Korean chef, Won-Il Lee and their hand-made organic bakeries are known to be delicious around this area.
Some of their popular bread might sold out fast during peak hours so do rmb to come early to grab yourself some good bread! (I personally tried their green tea scone and if you're a green tea lover, you'll definitely love them!)
Add: 48 Ewhayeodae 7-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Yeonnam-dong and Hogndae (연남동,홍대)
As seen on the map, Yeonnam-dong is actually located quite close to Hongik Univ. St (Hongdae), and it is now one of the hipster places favoured by the locals.
(i) Gamchil (감칠)
Gamchil (감칠), which literally means "umami" in Korean is one of the famous Korean-Western fusion reataurant which is famous around Yeonnam-dong. Waiting is always needed so do remember to jot down your name and phone number (if you have a Korea hp number), the staff will call you when it's your turn! (ps: Almost every restaurants/cafes here in Yeonnam-dong is not as spacious as restaurants found in other places so be prepared to wait in queue unless you head over to the restaurants at their open time)
It was a Friday and we waited for about 30 mins before our turn to get a table for our dinner.
We order their signature dish, red pepper paste cream pasta and soybean paste cream risotto. A plate of salad is first served and our dishes came out within 15 mins wait.
I had to say that I love Korean food and this place serves really good western food, and at the same time without loosing its Korean taste in it. The taste definitely worth another visit again!
Add: 385-6 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
(ii) Salon de Cylon (살롱 드 실론, ㅅㄹㅅㄹ)
One could easily get an idea that this is a cafe that sells cylon tea by looking at its name. And yes, this little cafe located at the corner just before the entrance of Yeonnam-dong Flea Market serves one of the best milk tea I've ever had in Seoul. Your cup of tea will be prepared and brewed only at the moment you ordered it, everything is prepared at the right proportion. It's a little pricy, but it's definitely worth the money.
Add: 227-15 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
(iii) Dongjin Market (Yeonnam-dong Flea Market, 동진시장)
Located just beside the Salon de Cylon cafe is a flea market with lots of handcrafts made by young locals. From vintage clothings, handmade candles, accesories and etc., all available at a reasonble price! (Some owner do not allow photo taking of their products as these are mostly hand-made out of their very own ideas a.k.a copyright issues, so do ask! for permission before you started taking photos of their products)
(iv) Butter Milk (버터밀크)
If you ask "Where can I get the best pancake in Hongdae?", I could confidently direct you to the "Butter Milk". Located just 5 mins walk from Hongik Univ. main door, the buttermilk serves one of the fluffiest pancake in Seoul. Crust on the outside and soft pancake texture on the inside, goes together with maple syrup and a small block of butter, it's definitely a shop that could fulfill your tummy!
(TIPS!!! IMPORTANT: Waiting is ALWAYS there for this pancake shop and the wait could last as long as an hour and a half or 2 hours! So my advice is go before the shop opens (go before 10am, preferably reach there and start queing by 9:30-9:45am, then you'll be able to get into the shop quick and have your pancakes prepared fairly fast too. Waiting for 1-2 hours is almost a guanrantee if you head over there after they open their shop. )
3. Mangwon-dong (망원동)
If you are seeking for a less-crowded and yet much to see place to travel, Mangwon-dong should the right answer for you. Located just next to Hapjeong St., Mangon is a place filled with traditional as well as modern atmosphere, with lots and lots of good food and cute cafes.
(i) Mangwon Market (망원시장)
It is a traditional market that offers fresh fruits, veges, even daily groceries at a really reasonable price as compared to those found in the hypermarkets. What's lovely about this market too is that a lot of traditional food stalls (Korean rice cakes, Korean pancakes, fried chickens etc. ) is sold here as well at a really cheap price.
There are REALLY just ALOT of small, cute cafes and restaurants nearby this neighbourhood. But since the shoplots here are generally small, please bear in mind that one might need to queue for food esp during peak hours. But again, it's worth the wait for good food right?:)
That's mainly my trip at Mapo-gu!!! Hopefully it's helpful for those who will be coming to Seoul in their upcoming trips. Leave me any comments if you have any questions and stay tune for my next post!Till then annyeong^^
*See next post for directions to go to Haneul Park*
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