Yeonnam dong is a mostly residential neighborhood that seems to be growing in popularity. It’s right next to Hongdae and filled with cute cafes, shops, and restaurants. There is an insane amount of creativity packed into this small neighborhood in Seoul, Korea.
In this post, I will introduce you to my favorite spots in the neighborhood. If you are visiting Korea, it’s about a 20 minute walk from Hongdae station, so maybe you want to pop by here for an afternoon if you have time while you’re visiting Hongdae.
How to get to Yeonnam-dong
Take the metro to Hongik University Station, Exit 3. Walk straight out of the exit and along the grassy walkway called the gyeongui forest line. Just before you reach an intersection where cars are driving across the gyeongui forest line, cross the street to your right and bear right. Go down Donggyo-ro and continue straight for about 7-10 minutes.
When you exit the station, you’ll see grassy area which is called the Gyeongui Line Forest Park. A train track used to run through this area, but it was moved underground. This grassy area is sometimes called “Yeontral Park,” being compared to New York’s Central Park. When the weather is nice, you’ll often see people sitting out here to eat and hang out.
Beware of No Kids Zones
If you have kids, I just want to warn you that a surprisingly high number of restaurants and cafes in this neighborhood are “no kids zones.” That means they don’t allow kids in their cafe. Personally I do not support these businesses nor will I recommend them in my video. This is a growing phenomenon in Korea and there’s nothing worse than walking a long way from the train station to a cafe that you’ve sought out only to be turned away because you have a child. Luckily there are a lot of places that do allow children and some of them I’ve featured in this video. So because of this, I’m not making this video as thorough as I would have liked.
Cafes and Bakeries
Cafe Skön (카페 스콘) . I love this little scandinavian style cafe. It’s plain and simple decor sort of reminds me of the Japanese brand muni, but there are a lot of little pops of color and personality interspersed throughout. They specialize in what else – scones! Its’ an unassumingg cafe that is filled with light and seems like a lovely little spot to meet up with friends. I took home one of their lemon cakes because I just couldn’t resist the packaging. Address: 239-4 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Fluffy Doughnut. This donut shop popped up out of nowhere and kind of reminds me of those old donut shops from the 80’s that you’d find on the corner of a strip mall. major nostalgia and a nice slice of Americana in Korea. The donuts are gigantic and insanely expensive for donuts in my opinion at 5 bucks a piece, but I guess that’s the going rate in Korea. I’ve noticed that donut shops in Korea are definitely on the rise. Address: 223-21 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Stamp Coffee (스탬프 커피). This cafe is right across the street from the flashy Cafe YND. It’s unassuming and looks like nothing special, but if you’re someone who likes mid century modern decor, you’ll probably like this understated cafe. It was actually really refreshing after having gone to Cafe YND on my last trip here which was chock full of tourists getting mad at me for being in their photo. I picked up this meringue cookie and a matcha spinner whicih was both coffee and green tea in one cup.. a double dose of caffeine! Address: 240-4 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
The instagram famous cafe, Cafe Yeonnam-Dong 223-14. The original cafe, once located around the block, is now closed.
Cafe Yeonnam-Dong (YND) Cafe 연남동 223-14. This is probably the most iconic cafe in Yeonnam-dong. They used to have a smaller location, which was the original YND cafe, but it shut down a few months ago. The new one is much more spacious and even has a rooftop terrace. This is the “drawing cafe” meaning that the concept is supposed to be like you’re walking into a drawing and you are the main character. In a lot of cafes that are bright and colorful, the background stands out more than the people but the entirely black and white interior of this cafe gives you the opportunity to be the main character. This is a must visit in Yeonnamdong. 5 may store is right around the corner from the thai restaurant and bread lab. This is a super cool accessories shop that sells purses, bags, jewelry, wall hangings and other cool things. Whoever curated this store has excellent taste. I absolutely loved everything in here and while it will probably be different when you visit, you can be certain that it will be something good. Address: 223-14, Yeonnam-dong, Seoul
Spring Bread 스프링베이커리 (SPRING BAKERY). Yeonnam dong has so many bakeries but this tiny bakery is hard for me to resist. I like to get just plain white bread, and I also like their meringue cookies with a pretzel smooshed into the cookie. Address: Seoul, Mapo-gu, 227-15 (성미산로 198) 동진시장 1F
Coffe Libre (커피리브레 연남점). Coffee Libre is a third-wave coffee shop that serves really good coffee and is an excellent place to buy beans if you life to make coffee at home. Address: 227-15 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Round Rectangle is one of my favorite spots to chill and get a coffee with this cute latte art! They also sell pouches and other goods with the AEIOU brand.
Round Rectangle Cafe (라운드렉탱글) . This unassuming coffee shop is a cute little quirky spot to grab a cup of coffee and chat with your friends. It has a vintage artsy feel to it and there isn’t much seating. Address: 33-12 Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul¥
Florence Cafe. Florence Cafe makes THE CUTEST macaron cookies. I mean this is artistry. This cafe feels so upscale and fancy. I like it. And I will not turn down a Rilakkuma macaron. Address: Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Bread Lab (브레드랩). This bakery located above Soi Yeonnam and sells fresh bread, such as baguettes, cibatta, scones, and croissants. 229-67 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Restaurants
Soi Yeonnam (소이연남). This Thai restaurant always seems to have a line. They specialize in a beef noodle soup, and the restaurant feels very grungy and retro. Address: 229-67, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Thanks, Oat Hongdae. If you want to walk really really really far from the train station and eat a $7 bowl of yogurt and granola, then you’re found your spot. If I were visiting Korea, I would never venture out this far, but if you’re an American living in Korea nd you’re looking for a good bowl of granola and yogurt, look no further, you’ve found it. This cafe is actually a tiny house and they make granola here. I got the mango granola bowl and it was excellent. Address: 375-113 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Obok Susan Sijang (오복수산시장). I know I live in Korea but I can’t stop eating Japanese food. I love a bowl of rice topped with raw fish and this is one of my favorite places to get Kaisendon. It’s everything a Kaisendon should be. In Korea, a lot of Japanese restaurants tend to fill their kaisen don with white chewy fish which I really don’t like I prefer the Japanese style which is a mixed variety with some tuna, salmon, hamachi, inure, and uni and not too much chewy white fish. This place has a perfect balance. Address: 226-29, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Grain Seoul. This is a popular brunch spot in Seoul. Their most popular dish allows you to select 4-6 small dishes such as smoked salmon, avocado, egg, etc. Address: Mapo-gu, GRAIN Donggyo-ro 46-gil, 23 지층 좌측
Love this poke-bowl that you can customize to your liking!
Slow, Cali (슬로우캘리). Slow, Cali is a little restaurant that serves Poke Bowls. I think somehow the owner got the geography wrong because Poke bowls come from Hawaii not California, but i like this place nonetheless. There was satellite radio playing from a station in Port Hueneme which is in Ventura County, California and the chatter and commercials made me feel at home. Address: Donggyo-ro 38-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Gurumi Sando (구르미산도). This little restaurant serves up a simple but delicious Tamago sando. Tamagoyaki is Japanese style egg omelette and putting it between two slices of white bread is just so decadent. The fat is cut by a thin layer of wasabi mayo on each side of the bread. You can also get your sandwich deep fried. Address: Seoul, Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-dong, Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, 29
Sujaemyung Wang Mandu (수제 명뮨 왕 만두). This restaurant makes fresh mandoo and is a great spot to pick up a quick bite. (Mandoo Restaurant) 260-2 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Lie, Lie, Lie (라이라이라이). This little Vietnamese restaurant is a great place to pick up banh mi sandiwches. Address: 227-5 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Shops
5 May Store. This store sells all kinds of cute knick knacks and trendy accessories, including purses, jewelry, wall hangings, and more. Address: 229-67 Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-Dong, Seoul. Instagram: 5maystore
Dongjin Market. Dongjin market is a traditional market in Yeonnam-dong. This is a really small market that used to sell fruits and vegetable and that sort of thing, but nowadays the traditional market is gone and this space is used as a space for artists and creative people to sell their goods. Address: 198 (동진시장) Seongmisan-ro, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Pixie Toy will capture your heart if you love kawaii stuff from Japan and vintage Americana from the 1980’s like Care Bears and My Little Pony!
Pixie Toy. On the back from to Yeonnamdong, you may come across this shop called Pixie Toy. This ultra girly store sells Japanese memorabilia, such as stuff from Swimmer which is a kawaii Japanes store that went out of business; as well as care bears, my little pony, and other vintage toys. The only thing is they open after 2 pm so if your’e an early bird like me, it probably won’t be open. I took Sienna here and she loved it.