• Millennials & Generation Z's Picks: Trendy Spots Tailored to Your Taste

        • 01/24/2024

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  • Millennials & Generation Z's Picks:
    Trendy Spots Tailored to Your Taste

    Follow the Latest Trends in Korea

    Inseok-dong Cafe Street with various cafes and shops

    The young and trendy in Korea enjoy going to popular hangouts and restaurants that have gained fame on social media. In fact, many Gen Z travelers head right away to Instagram for inspirations after they choose their destination. That's why we bring to you the most popular hangouts trending in Korean social media now. These picturesque and photogenic places are perfect spots for your social media travel album.

    Turning from the Center of Tteokbokki to Hipdang-dong,
    The Hottest Hangout for Young Generation
    Ssajeon Street in Sindang-dong
    Popular restaurant street in Sindang-dong
    A Street Filled with the Most Popular Restaurants of Sindang-dong

    Sindang-dong is known as the origin of Korean tteokbokki culture, but to young generation, Sindang-dong is much more than its tteokbokki. Similar to the term “Hipjiro” derived from the trendy Euljiro, associating “hip” with Euljiro's trendiness, Sindang-dong is also referred to as “Hipdang-dong(Hip + Sindang-dong ).” This is evident in the hip and trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes that recreate the old charm of Seoul Jungang Market, once known as “Ssajeon Street” due to the numerous grain and rice stores during its heyday.

    Ssajeon Street in Sindang-dong is quite similar to Euljiro in appearance, especially in small alleyways reminiscent of the 1960s filled from top to bottom with unique shops. These shops incorporate refined, retro aesthetics that build upon the historic roots of the spaces they occupy. This unique ambience, blending the past and the present while offering delicious and distinctive flavors that complement its atmosphere, is the reason behind its popularity.

    Trendy Spot in Ssajeon Street, Sindang-dong ①
    Simsejeong, The Rebirth of a Rice Warehouse
    A picture of the exterior of the building of Shim Se-jeong with a vintage atmosphere
    Simsejeong, A Bakery Cafe with a Refined and Retro Ambience
    Photo of Shim Sejeong Outdoor Terrace with a unique atmosphere
    Simsejeong’s Outdoor Terrace
    A picture of the 2nd floor inside Shim Se-jeong
    Simsejeong’s Second Floor Space

    Simsejeong is a bakery cafe that drove Sindang-dong’s transformation into Hipdang-dong. The name, Simsejeong, means “a pavilion where one can clear their mind and rest comfortably.” The reason why it is so popular can be found in its unique appearance and ambience, combining the exterior of the rice warehouse built in 1959 with refined touches.

    Shim Sejeong's popular dessert menu, croissant and freshly baked bread
    Croissants, The Most Popular Menu in Simsejeong
    Shim Sejeong's popular dessert menu, croissant and freshly baked bread
    Croissants, The Most Popular Menu in Simsejeong

    Simsejeong bakery cafe offers freshly-baked bread, dessert, and coffee. Its signature bread items include croissants, baguettes, and Nutella twists, among which the croissants are particularly popular for their soft and chewy texture.

    • Simsejeong
    • 409-11, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
    • +82-507-1444-7579
    • 09:00-21:30 (Weekends 10:00- 21:30) / Last order at 21:00
    • Croissant KRW 3,000 / Garlic and Corn Toast KRW 4,300 / Baguette KRW 3,800
    Trendy Spot in Ssajeon Street, Sindang-dong ②
    Unique Cocktail Bar Zoosindang
    Entrance to the unique cocktail bar, zooshindang
    Zoosindang’s Entrance During the Day
    A statue decorated inside the zooshindang
    Zoosindang’s Entrance at Night
    A table bar inside the main hall illuminated by dim light
    Table Bar in Zoosindang

    The name “Sindang” in Sindang-dong comes from the history of the neighborhood, which was said to be populated with many shrines (Sindang) during Joseon Period. A unique cocktail bar inspired by this historical backdrop, Zoosindang, has gained popularity among the younger generations. From its name to its concept, resembling a “shrine for alcohol,” Zoosindang’s uniqueness is evident right from its entrance, adorned with talismans and golden ropes reminiscent of the shrines. As you step into the dimly lit and spooky interior, it's filled with mystical symbols, captivating visitors with its surreal ambiance.

    Cat-shaped cake and skewers
    Zoosindang, A Cocktail Bar with a Unique and Shamanistic Ambience
    Zooshindang's signature cat cake and cocktail Yang
    Zoosindang’s Signature Menu “Cat” and Signature Cocktail “Sheep”
    Picked up by hand skewers
    Grilled Skewers, Another Popular Menu at Zoosindang

    Zoosindang is best known for its traditional Korean liquor cocktail, inspired by the Chinese Zodiac and a cat-shaped cake. While resembling sculpture, this soft cake is filled with black sesame, red bean paste, cream cheese, and apricot jam. As for cocktails, customers can choose based on their preference from the menu descriptions. For those who like sweet cocktails, Ox, Sheep, or Pig cocktails are recommended. The harmony between the sweet cocktails and the savory, slightly salty Grilled Skewers creates an irresistibly balanced combination that appeals to all tastes.

    As the Korean folk religion can be difficult to access for tourists, Zoosindang is an ideal spot for capturing unique photos. If you are planning to visit Sindang-dong, make sure to drop by Zoosindang to experience firsthand what makes this place so popular and beloved.

    • Zoosindang
    • 1F, 411 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
    • +82-2-2231-1806
    • 18:00-02:00 (Weekends 17:00- 01:00)
    • Signature Cocktail KRW 16,000-19,000 / Cake KRW 13, 000 / Grilled Skewers KRW 17,000
    Young Traditional Market with Diverse Food Menu
    Mangwon Market in Mangwon-dong
    Inside the Mangwon market full of visitors
    Mangwon Market, A Traditional Market Popular among Young Generation

    Mangwon Market, bustling even on weekdays, is one of the most beloved traditional markets among the younger generation. This 215 meter-long arcade is full of shops and food items, drawing not only locals but also visitors from other areas. This market is particularly renowned for its food, often featured on TV variety shows and frequented by popular celebrities, further elevating its fame.

    The popular dishes at Mangwon Market include Deep-fried Chili Peppers, filled with meat and glass noodles, as well as unrefined rice wine, and crispy fried Griddlecake with Sugar Filling. For those interested in trying the Deep-fried and Braised Chicken or Torched Marshmallow Ice Cream, be prepared to wait in line due to their popularity on social media.

    If you want to enjoy street food at reasonable prices in a bustling market ambience, visiting Mangwon Market is a great choice.

    Trendy Spot in Mangwon Market, Mangwon-dong ①
    Wooyirak, Serving Crispy Deep-fried Chili Pepper and Unrefined Rice Wine
    Photo of the signboard of wooyirak, a specialty store for raw makgeolli
    Wooyirak, A Popular Makgeolli Restaurant Serving Great Deep-fried Chili Peppers and Pan-fried Battered Beef
    Wooyirak's signature menu, fried chili peppers
    Golden Brown Deep-fried Chili Peppers and the Wooyirak's Adorable Signature Character
    The harmony of fried chili peppers, meat pancakes, spicy jjolmyeon
    Harmony of Savory Deep-fried Chili Peppers, Pan-fried Battered Beef, and Spicy Chewy Noodles
    The harmony of fried chili peppers, meat pancakes, spicy jjolmyeon
    A Cool Bowl of Unrefined Rice Wine with Signature Menus at Wooyirak

    One of the most famous places in Mangwon Market is Wooyirak, which serves great Deep-fried Chili Peppers and Pan-fried Battered Beef as well as Unrefined Rice Wine. Visitors can taste a wide variety of Unrefined Rice Wine, from famous premium brands to the newer ones. Similar to distinguishing wine varieties, visitors can explore dryness, sweetness, body, and lightness of Unrefined Rice Wine and get recommendations based on their preferences.

    Wooyirak’s signature menus are Deep-fried Chili Peppers and Pan-fried Battered Beef. The Deep-fried Chili Peppers, stuffed with minced meat and glass noodles, alongside Pan-fried Battered Beef, thinly coated beef in egg batter, reveal delightful flavors that perfectly complement the sweet and sour notes of the Unrefined Rice Wine. For those seeking to sample Unrefined Rice Wine and its accompaniments in a light and refined ambience, Wooyirak is the place to be.

    • Wooyirak Mangwon Main Branch
    • 22 Poeun-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
    • +82-507-1438-5594
    • 11:00-22:00 / Last order at 21:00
    • Deep-fried Chili Peppers (3 Pieces) KRW 10,000
      Pan-fried Battered Beef KRW 21,000
      Seafood and Green Onion Pancake KRW 15,000
    Trendy Spot in Mangwon Market, Mangwon-dong ②
    Hoon-Hoon Hotteok, Popular for Cheese Seasoned Griddlecake with Sugar Filling
    Four types of hotteok in a cup
    Thick-Fried Griddlecakes with Sugar Filling
    Four types of hotteok in a cup
    Thick-Fried Griddlecakes with Sugar Filling
    Four types of hotteok in a cup
    Griddlecakes with Sugar Filling, Deep-fried until Golden Brown
    A picture of me holding a cheese-floured griddle cake
    Cheese Seasoned Griddlecake with Sugar and Honey Filling, A Popular Menu at Hoon-Hoon Hotteok

    Traditional market’s Griddlecakes with Sugar Filling is a popular Korean street food that enjoys worldwide fame. While the original style with black sugar remains a favorite, griddlecakes with various fillings have gained recent popularity. Mangwon Market’s Hoon-Hoon Hotteok is one such place serving unique griddlecakes, featuring fillings like seeds and ice cream or coatings like bean powder or Oreo. However, the most popular menu item in the shop is the Cheese Seasoned Griddlecake with Sugar and Honey Filling. This menu made rounds in social media under the name Bburinkle Griddlecakes, named after Bburinkle Chicken, the popular cheese powder-coated fried chicken served by the fried chicken franchise BHC.

    For those seeking to explore the latest trends in griddlecakes, a representative street food in the market, head to Hoon-Hoon Hotteok.

    • Hoon-Hoon Hotteok
    • B1F, 25 Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
    • No Phone Number Provided
    • 11:30-20:30 / Closed Mondays
    • Ice Cream and Griddlecake with Sugar and Honey Filling KRW 4,000
      Griddlecake with Sugar, Honey and Seeds Filling KRW 2,000
      Cheese Seasoned Griddlecake with Sugar and Honey Filling KRW 2,000
    The Place with Cozy and Quaint Charm
    Ikseon-dong Cafe Street
    Inseok-dong Cafe Street with various cafes and shops
    The Street of Ikseon-dong, Decorated with Colorful Umbrellas

    Ikseon-dong is famous not only for its Hanok Street but also for its Cafe Street. It's a place where one can find picturesque spots at every step, hosting an array of cafes, select shops, boutiques, and restaurants. The streets here are narrow and winding, like a large maze built out of Hanoks (traditional Korean buildings), offering a unique ambience and charm that one can experience simply by strolling through. The area blends the serene ambiance of Hanoks with the numerous visitors seeking trendy spots, creating a vibrant street scene. Beyond the small doors of Hanoks lie spaces adorned with trees, stones, gardens, and ponds, designed to fit their specific concepts. Cafes showcasing fresh concepts for young generation and restaurants serving unique dishes speak to the trendy charms of the neighborhood.

    Trendy Spot in Ikseon-dong Cafe Street ①
    Cheongsudang Bakery, Embracing the Beauty of Nature
    The entrance to the Cheongsudang Bakery decorated with lush bamboo trees
    Cheongsudang Bakery’s Entrance, Evoking Eastern Beauty
    Inside the Cheongsudang Bakery with Hanok Interior
    Interior of Cheongsudang Bakery
    Cooked Stone Drip Egg Coffee
    Preparing the Signature Coffee, Stone Drip Egg Coffee

    Ikseon-dong is known for its myriad of photo spots, and one of the best-known among them is the entrance to Cheongsudang Bakery. Cheongsudang Bakery’s entrance is adorned with lush bamboos, flowing water, and lights that illuminate the shades, all combining with the unique charm of Hanok. The cafe is housed in a complex of six interconnected Hanok buildings. By retaining the rib-shaped structure called Seokkarae, which supports the roofs of these wooden buildings, visitors can experience unique beauty of the Hanok architecture.

    Matcha Fromage Cake and Stone Dream egg coffee
    Menu Embracing the Natural Essence at Cheongsudang Bakery
    Matcha Fromage Cake and Stone Dream egg coffee
    A Cake and a Cup of Coffee amidst Cheongsudang Bakery’s Scenery

    The natural beauty reflected at the entrance to Cheongsudang Bakery extends into the cafe and the bakery menu as well. In particular, the Matcha Fromage Cake and Black Sesame Fromage Cake evoke the visual appeal of a field against the basalt rock, offering a blend of sweetness and the freshness of nature.

    While visitors may need to wait in line to capture photos at the bakery’s entrance, the ambience and the flavors are certainly worth the wait, providing a delightful and healing experience.

    • Cheongsudang Bakery
    • 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
    • +82-507-1318-8215
    • 10:30-21:00 / Open all year round
    • Black Sesame Fromage Cake KRW 15,000
      Stone Drip Egg Coffee KRW 7,800
      Stone Drip Coffee KRW 6,300-6,800
    Trendy Spot in Ikseon-dong Cafe Street ②
    Soha Salt Pond, Salted Bread Served by the Small Saltern
    Soha salt pond signboard made of wooden signboard
    Entrance to Soha Salt Pond
    The entrance to the Soha salt pond decorated with a saltern model
    Saltern Model Displayed at the Center of the Cafe
    Interior of Soha salt pond with wooden interior
    Interior View of Soha Salt Pond

    In 2023, Salted Bread has become the favorite choice among Korea’s younger generations. In Ikseon-dong, there is a renowned Salted Bread cafe known not only for its taste but also for its unique interior. Soha Salt Pond, a bakery cafe, features a courtyard shaped like the Hangeul (the Korean Alphabet) "ㄷ" character, with a small saltern at its center. Inside the traditional house, there are spaces for baking and selling bread, as well as cafe area where visitors can enjoy bread and beverages they ordered.

    Soha Salt Bread, Milk Cream Salt Bread, Myeongran Salt Bread Photos
    Variety of Salted Breads Available at Soha Salt Pond
    Three Kinds of Salt Bread and Coffee
    Delightful Combination of Savory Salted Bread and Coffee
    Three Kinds of Salt Bread and Coffee
    Delightful Combination of Savory Salted Bread and Coffee

    Soha Salt Pond offers a variety of Salted Bread. The bakery’s signature items are the Soha Salted Bread and Milk Cream Salted Bread. The Soha Salted Bread boasts a salty and savory flavor, while the Milk Cream Salted Bread combines sweet milk cream with salt, striking a perfect balance between sweetness and saltiness.

    Capturing a refreshing saltern view in the quaint Hanok cafe during summer, accompanied by the delightful taste of savory Salted Bread is an irresistible reason to visit Ikseon-dong.

    • Soha Salt Pond
    • 21-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
    • +82-507-1353-8215
    • 09:00-21:00 / Open all year round
    • Soha Salted Bread KRW 3,000
      Myeongnan(Pollack Roe) Salted Bread KRW 4,500
      Milk Cream Salted Bread KRW 4,000

    * The column was written in November 2023, hence some of the details may have changed. Please check with the restaurants before visiting.

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