Hongdae used to be known as the center of indie music in the early 2000s. Around Hongdae Playground, street musicians performed every night, and live clubs were filled with rock bands. That energy defined the area for a long time, and I remember it clearly.
As Hongdae became more popular, the area expanded. The places locals used to go naturally moved outward, settling into nearby neighborhoods like Sangsu and Hapjeong.
Step just one block away from the main streets of Hongdae, and the atmosphere changes completely.
Step just one block away from the main streets of Hongdae, and the atmosphere changes completely.
The crowds fade, the streets become quieter, and the shops feel more personal—similar to how areas like [Seongsu vs Hannam: Where to Shop in Seoul] have developed their own distinct character.
I’ve spent many afternoons in these areas, sitting alone in small cafés, reading, or working on my laptop.
Compared to the busy and flashy streets of Hongdae, Sangsu and Hapjeong offer something more grounded. From local restaurants to quiet, private spaces, here are six places that make up a perfect one-day route.
A Simple and Satisfying Start, “Geumbok Sikdang”
#SangsuFood #GrilledMackerel #JapaneseSetMeal #SoloDining
This is one of the places I end up going back to when I need a proper meal near Sangsu Station.
Most dishes are served as set meals, and the overall composition is clean and balanced, which makes it easy to dine alone.
The grilled mackerel is the highlight—crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and well-seasoned to go with rice. The chicken soup curry is lighter than expected, so it’s something I often switch to.
- Address: B1, 24 Dokmak-ro 14-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Feature: Clean one-person tray setup, easy for solo dining
- Recommended: Grilled mackerel set (approx. 10,000–12,000 KRW), chicken soup curry
A Curated Hat Shop, “Mascompany”
#VintageCaps #SangsuShop #Headwear #LocalFinds
The space is smaller than expected, but you end up spending more time than planned.
There’s a wide variety of hats, and many pieces have colors and graphics you don’t usually see in mainstream brands.
There’s a wide variety of hats, and many pieces have colors and graphics you don’t usually see in mainstream brands.
From vintage caps to beanies, the styles are distinct enough that you often walk out with something, even if you didn’t plan to buy.
- Address: 1F, 25 Dokmak-ro 12an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Point: Unique colors and graphics, easy to browse
A Quiet Place to Stay, “Protocol Sangsu”
#SangsuCafe #Roastery #WorkFriendly #CoffeeSpot
This is one of the cafés I return to when I need a quiet place in Sangsu.
The space is calm, seating is spaced out, and it works well for reading or working on a laptop.
The space is calm, seating is spaced out, and it works well for reading or working on a laptop.
They roast their own beans, and the coffee is consistently well-balanced. The view through the large windows—just a small neighborhood street—ends up being something you watch longer than expected.
- Address: 13-4 Eoulmadang-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Feature: Window view of the alley, balanced coffee
A Solid Vintage Stop, “ACT”
#HapjeongVintage #Diesel #Porter #Secondhand
If you’re into vintage, this is one of the spots to check out near Hapjeong.
You’ll find a mix of brands like Diesel and Porter, along with items that are in relatively good condition.
You’ll find a mix of brands like Diesel and Porter, along with items that are in relatively good condition.
Clothing is there, but bags and accessories tend to stand out more. It’s easy to spend time going through each piece.
- Address: 2F #202, 52 Eoulmadang-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Point: Good-condition bags and accessories
A Private Space to Slow Down, “Yawning”
#SangsuDate #PrivateRoom #OTT #WineTime
This is where I go when I want to step away from typical cafés.
You can sit on a sofa and watch OTT content with a projector, which makes the experience feel completely different.
You can sit on a sofa and watch OTT content with a projector, which makes the experience feel completely different.
You can also bring in wine or order delivery, so it’s easy to stay for a while without feeling rushed.
- Address: 3F, 99-11 Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Feature: Private space, food delivery allowed
A Place for Inspiration, “Jongi Magazine Club”
#HapjeongSpot #MagazineCuration #CreativeSpace
If you like magazines, it’s hard to leave quickly.
There’s a wide range of domestic and international publications, and you can easily lose track of time just flipping through them.
There’s a wide range of domestic and international publications, and you can easily lose track of time just flipping through them.
The space is quiet, which makes it a good final stop to slow things down and wrap up the day.
- Address: B1, 32-15 Yanghwa-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Feature: Curated magazines, quiet reading space
Quick Comparison: Sangsu–Hapjeong Route
| Spot Name | Area (Neighborhood) | Best For | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geumbok Sikdang | Sangsu-dong | Japanese Home Meal | Grilled mackerel & chicken soup curry (B1) |
| Mascompany | Sangsu-dong | Headwear Enthusiasts | Curated vintage caps and unique graphics |
| Protocol Sangsu | Sangsu-dong | Coffee & Concentration | Minimalist roastery with great alley views |
| ACT | Hapjeong-dong | Designer Vintage | Select second-hand brands (Diesel, Acne, etc.) |
| Yawning | Hapjeong-dong | Private Date Spot | Private OTT room (BYO food allowed) |
| The Magazine Club | Hapjeong-dong | Inspiration Seekers | Global magazine curation and reading lounge |
*Scroll horizontally to see the full table on mobile.
Before You Go
- Start from Sangsu Station and walk toward Hapjeong (about 20–30 minutes total)
- Geumbok Sikdang and Yawning can get crowded on weekends
- ACT opens around 1 PM and is closed on Tuesdays
After spending time here, it naturally becomes one of the areas you consider when choosing [Where to Stay in Seoul].
Image courtesy of @geumboksikdang, @mascompany.kr, @protokoll.roasters, @act.seoul, @the_magazine_club, @yawning_3f