The best place to experience the youthful culture in Seoul would definitely be Hongdae. Bustling with a vibrant cafe scene and nightlife, this neighbourhood is a popular tourist destination for good reason. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best Hongdae cafes to visit the next time you’re in Korea!
The exchange rate is KRW1,000 = ~S$0.95 as of 6 November 2024.
Short for “every day happy birthday”, ehbd is a cafe that makes you feel like it’s your birthday—even when it isn’t. Their cosy space is decked in pretty pastel shades of pink and mint!
After a long day of shopping and walking around, their Green Apple Sorbet Ade (KRW7,500) is the perfect quencher to have. But if you need some caffeine to get your day going, we recommend their Latte Cream (KRW7,000) which comes with layers of cream and coffee. To pair with your drinks, get their Churros (KRW7,000) served with a cup of whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Address: 33, Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03982
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Website
ehbd is not a halal-certified eatery.
Seoul is a treasure trove of cafes, but there’s only a handful that makes it big. One such cafe is Imi Coffee, with more than 25K followers on their Instagram page. They also frequently hold coffee shows and workshops to share their love for the art of coffee-making!
The menu here is simple: choose between an iced or hot cup of hand drip coffee. Each cup costs between KRW6,000 and KRW8,500 depending on the type of coffee bean you choose. For desserts, we encourage you to check their Instagram page for the latest updates as their selection changes every week. Mont Blanc (KRW9,000) and Ginger Persimmon (KRW8,500) were part of the previous menu, and they sold like hotcakes.
Address: 7, Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03992
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 12pm to 9pm
Website
Imi Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
We take it as a good sign when cafes are known for a particular dessert or drink. Limil & Milli is one example—their cookies and financiers are steady sellers among the locals! Also, we appreciate that their desserts come in a variety of flavours, so there’s bound to be something for everyone here.
Regulars love their financiers in Earl Grey (KRW3,000), and Lemon (KRW3,000) flavours. But if you want something more unique, opt for the Coconut (KRW3,000) or Fig & Cream Cheese (KRW3,500) instead. Having the financiers alone can be a little sweet on the palate, so get a cup of Americano (KRW5,000) for a nice balance of bittersweet flavours.
Address: 21, Donggyo-ro 22-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04031
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 8:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 8:30pm
Website
Limil & Milli is not a halal-certified eatery.
TEESSERT is one of the under-the-radar Hongdae cafes that’s not the easiest to spot since it’s located on the second floor. But once you discover the retro space that reminds one of 1980s Seoul, you’ll find it hard to leave.
There’s no better pick-me-up than something sweet, so start with the popular Banana Pudding (KRW4,000), and then give their Vanilla Cookie Choux (KRW5,000) a try. The latter combines a crispy cookie and an airy choux pastry for texture variation! Since you’re in Korea, it’s a must to try the Mugwort Spanner (KRW6,300) AKA mugwort-flavoured einspanner drink. If you’re unfamiliar with mugwort, it’s a type of herb used by many locals in cooking and baking. Many love this herb for its unique aroma, but some may find the distinctive flavour a bit overpowering.
Address: 126, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04783
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 7pm, Sat 1pm to 7pm
Website
TEESSERT is not a halal-certified eatery.
Somehow, coffee tastes better when accompanied by good music and good vibes. If you agree, you need to check out the newly-opened House of Vinyl. Think SZA, Chet Baker, and Lana Del Rey—yes, many of the songs played here are in English instead of Korean.
For drinks, Vanilla Latte (KRW7,000) is a good choice. They also have Milk Tea (KRW7,000), which is great if you want something other than coffee. There’s also a small range of desserts here, including Apple Cinnamon Pound Cake (KRW7,000) that comes in green tea and chocolate flavours.
Address: 230, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03985
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
House of Vinyl is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ouvert Seoul is an IG-famous cafe with six branches in the Korean capital. Opened in December 2022, their Hongdae branch is one of the newest additions to the family. We love the modern and minimalist interior here—you can tell that a lot of thought went into designing the space.
Their coffee menu is extensive with more than 20 drinks to choose from, including Flat White (KRW5,000), Espresso Macchiato (KRW5,500), and Cream Hot Choco (KRW8,500). They also have coffee in the form of dessert—cue Affogato Bread (KRW11,500), a thick toast drenched in espresso and vanilla ice cream, and then topped with cacao powder.
Address: 7, Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03985
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 10pm
Website
Ouvert Seoul is not a halal-certified eatery.
Monochrome-themed cafe SLIT isn’t dressed up in vibrant colours or funky designs, but it’s the simplicity of the space that reminds us of a contemporary museum. Also, instant bonus points for high windows and a ton of natural sunlight!
For a traditional Korean drink, try Misugaru (KRW6,500), which is a healthy beverage made with a combination of roasted grain powders. You’ll dig this if you enjoy savoury, nutty flavours! A seasonal favourite is the Fig Shortcake (KRW9,000), a gorgeous layered cake that’s usually available in autumn. Do note that many desserts in Korean cafes change with the four seasons!
Address: 21-12, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04041
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 9pm
Website
SLIT is not a halal-certified eatery.
It’s all about peaceful and quaint vibes, and house-made tarts at Bronsis. When locals talk about the best fruit tarts in Hongdae, this cafe always comes up in the conversation. But it’s no surprise that their tarts are so well-loved as the owner has been in this business for close to 10 years already.
Each slice of tart is priced at KRW7,500 here no matter the type of fruit. Again, the availability of the fruit depends on the season, but they usually have flavours of Lemon, Blueberry, and Strawberry. Their Fig and Grapefruit flavours, introduced as part of the autumn menu, were so popular that they would sell out before closing time! We usually think of tea as a good pairing with tarts, so we recommend giving their Earl Grey Classic (KRW6,000) a shot.
Address: 57, Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03982
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 1pm to 10pm
Website
Bronsis is not a halal-certified eatery.
You know you’re at the right place if you come across a red brick building with a circular entrance in Hongdae. Cafe Gong Myoung is the talk of the town—this is one of the Hongdae cafes that has been taking over social media platforms in Korea, which is quite a big deal as the country’s cafe scene is highly competitive.
If you like madeleines, they do a decent variety of them here, including the Yuja Coconut Madeleine, Churros Madeleine, and Tiramisu Madeleine, which all go for KRW4,200 each. You’ll also find many customers drinking the Signature Gong Myoung Latte (KRW6,500), a popular drink featuring a cream latte topped with sweet cinnamon powder.
Address: 11-8, Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04049
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Website
Cafe Gong Myoung is not a halal-certified eatery.
Y2K is the latest craze, and it seems like i need cake has understood the assignment with their retro aesthetic. The cafe is adorned with movie posters of the early 2000s, and cute knick-knacks in every corner. Fun fact, they regularly hold cupsleeve events for K-pop fans!
Topped with vanilla ice cream and a cherry, Melon Soda (KRW7,800) is a must-have in every Y2K-inspired cafe in Korea. For a pretty gradient drink, there’s the Jelly Soda (KRW8,500) that tastes similar to an ade with added bits of jelly. Then, round up your cafe experience with the Strawberry Cake (KRW8,500) which reminds us of the popular vintage bento cakes that have taken over social media.
Address: 44, Sinchon-ro 2an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04056
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 7pm
Website
i need cake is not a halal-certified eatery.
We hope our list gives you a better idea of the Hongdae cafes you want to visit during your upcoming trip. For more overseas guides, check out the best Bangkok cafes to visit in Thailand. Else, read our Tokyo food guide for egg buffet, 5cm-wide udon and more.
Feature image adapted from @cafe_bronsis, @cafegm_, @limilandmilli, @slit_seoul, @cafe_ehbd and @tsrt_teessert
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