Hongdae is a popular area of Seoul filled with unique cafes, cafés and clubs, artsy markets, local boutiques and gourmet eateries; which makes this a popular ‘go-to’ neighborhood for Korean university students! The area’s romantic ambiance, plus street performances and festivals, mean it is always packed with people.
Gastro Tour Seoul introduces some of Hongdae’s hidden gastronomic spots as part of our newly launched Hongdae Night Tasting Tour. Want to find out more? Read on!
The meet up point for our Hongdae Night Tasting Tour is at Hongdae Station exit 3; just next to the up and coming ‘Yeontral Park’. A pleasant green space surrounded by craft stores, small restaurants and coffee shops.
L’empreinte Bistro Seoul
On a sunny day nothing, beats a good French bistro. L’empreinte Bistro has a light and homey feel, and is run by Chef Gregory, originally from France, and his wife Yeonjin. Opened in 2016, the restaurant focuses on traditional, homemade French food.
As a starter you’ll be able to try a very cheesy Croque Monsieur, a small salad and French fries, served alongside with a small alcohol based apéritive. Yum!
Coffee Libre
From L’empreinte Bristro we continue our walk through the smaller streets of Yeonnam-Dong to the next stop: ‘Coffee Libre’. The tour passes through Dongjin Market, a small traditional flea market where many young artists sell their handmade items. It’s a real local gem!
Coffee Libre is a tiny café in a small alleyway just behind Dongjin Market, that has been running since 2009. The owner, Mr. Seo, has travelled all around the world in the search of specialty grade beans. Coffee connoisseurs travel from all over the country to visit Korea’s first licensed Q-Graders shop!
The menu is very simple and straightforward consisting only of espressos, americanos, lattes, and single-origin brewed coffee.
Fox Wine Bar
From Coffee Libre the tour goes on past Hongae’s most busy street, filled with all sorts of street performances, to Fox Wine Bar. In this cozy bar, owned by sommelier Suyeon Lee, you’ll be able to try Kimchi-Jjim; a yummy meal with pork belly and one year old kimchi straight from the Jeollabuk-do province.
This special meal takes around 3 hours to cook on a low temperature, just the way traditional Korean grandmothers used to make it! The dish is served together with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, from the Bordeaux region in France. Did you know that Korean food can be paired fantastically with wines? You do now!
Gyeongsong Patjib
At our last stop of this Hongdae Tasting Night Tour, we’ll try So Bingsu, a very popular luxury dessert in Korea, especially consumed in summer seasons. The dessert consists of ice shavings topped off with red bean paste and two rice cakes. The bingsu comes in two flavours; green tea and condensed milk.
Sound delicious? Experience these unique dishes – and more! – on our Hongdae Tasting Night Tour!
Please note that tour itineraries are subject to change.