Join us as we take a tour of a neighborhood in Korea and explore its many offerings. I met up with Alexis Santos, a voice actor and dancer, and asked her to show us what makes her area in Seoul awesome.
Alexis also blogs about food, love and life in Korea. You can check out her blog http://seoulsearching.net/
10 Reasons to Visit Hapjeong-dong and Seogyo-dong
1. Great coffee shops
There are plenty of charming and quaint coffee shops around the area. Whether you need a caffeine fix, a quiet spot to read, or a place to catch up with friends, there are a range of options to choose from. Alexis likes to hang out at Mon Cafe Gregory. In addition to having good milk tea and desserts, the seat on the second floor offers a good vantage point for people watching. Also, the bathroom is hidden behind a bookcase. See if you can find it without asking the cafe staff.
2. Colorful and whimsical store displays
The stores usually have one-of-a-kind items you won't find anywhere else. Alexis got her colorful kicks from a store called MOA where you can find custom-designed Converse sneakers.
3. Colorful artwork
The Hongdae neighborhood is more famous for street graffiti art, but it is slowly making its way to Hapjeong. For the roll-up doors on this street's series of store fronts, one guy just showed up one day and started painting a door. The next day, he came back to paint the second, and then the third and fourth.
4. Stores and establishments vanish and transform overnight
One day you'll see a building, but the next day it could be gone. A few months later, it's replaced with something new. Things are constantly changing in this neighborhood.
5. Live music
Live music can be found outside of traditional bars, clubs and music lounges. You'll find talented musicians filling the air at cafes like Bitter Sweet Sound. They're even on the streets, too! People started dancing on the street while a man played his soprano saxophone.
6. Dogs chilling out at restaurants
No, we're not referring to dog cafes. These are just dogs (probably belonging to the cafe owners) who are usually seen relaxing at the restaurant. PanFan has two labs: one black and one yellow. Toto's is reportedly named after a real dog (not the imaginary one from Oz).
7. Restaurants with cool facades
Wooden-planked barrels, flower-lined entrances and glowing lights with open-air terraces are just the beginning.
8. Themed restaurants
5ton Station looks like it drew inspiration from a Formula 1 pit stop. The staff wears jumpsuits that fashionably resemble those of pit crews. Bonfire, on the other hand, is camping inspired. Blue Fairy has a collection of dolls you can play with.
9. Narrow and winding alleys
Don't be afraid to venture off the main street and wander along the alleys: some commercial, some residential. Uyu, Alexis's dog, loves going for walks here (he clearly loves the camera, too, stealing the limelight as Alexis demonstrated some dance moves).
10. Mecenatpolis
This mall has Uniqlo, 8 Seconds, Muji, Jamba Juice, Halmoni Guksu, Krispy Kreme, Chatime, Starbucks, McDonalds, Coco Curry and more! There's also a HomePlus and a Lotte Cinema (not to mention the colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling).
You'll also find plenty of international cuisine in Hapjeong. There are Vietnamese, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Indian cafes and restaurants. Below, you'll find the location of the various places Alexis and I visited. Click on each letter to find the complete address.
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