Hongdae - perfect for the walkers

A great area to just walk and take everything in.

You will never know what you will come across next. 

There's always something new to discover.

Hongdae cafe hunting

Hongdae is a charm on its own.  Strolling out for cafes is one of the joys of Hongdae.  A recent increase in foot traffic around this area has made it less "relaxing" in some sense.  An increase in cars going through the streets has made it less "pedestrian" friendly too.   It was perfect when it was.

These are photos from 2010.
Hongdae was a hidden treasure then.  It's now so "hidden" nowadays~^^ 

vanilla ice cream - Mobsie

Mobsie Cafe - favorite thus far... except.. except...
that scoop of vanilla ice cream was a big disappointment.

 

You can't dare mix good chocolate with a meh ice cream... :(
It tasted too icy and not vanilla enough.
Something creamier would have better suited the hot chocolate.   
Until next time~

Hongdae on a fall day

Around Hapjeong(station) of Hongdae area.  It's a very easy pleasant walk along the back streets and alley ways.  Don't be afraid to get lost, more like be prepared to get "lost" because you will come across a "gem" of your own~^^  

I love walking around Hongdae. It's almost meditative.  I enjoy how one street will look different from the month before... The area is definitely changing on its own.  Seeing an area "grow" over months and years is pretty intriguing.  Hapjeong station being one of the area that suddenly grew into another "cafe street" in less than a year.  It's like watching a child grow and flourish :P

Cat tower on the street - Hongdae

One summer day this year, while strolling through Hapjeong/Hongdae area, we stumbled upon a cat tower right on the pedestrian street.  I've never seen such a sight.  I've seen dogs tied outside, but not 3 white cats tied to a tree/cat tower.

More than awes, I caught myself confused.  At least the cats didn't seem to care and looked at peace.  Although this was the last time I saw this cat tower there.

I'm definitely happy about Koreans taking a liking to cats these days.  Koreans, unlike Japanese, are not as fond of cats.  But a recent enlightenment of "cats are awesome" craze has finally caught on.  I thank Hyori (kpop star) and those celebrities on TV who has showed how awesome they are :D

Hongdae : Playground

how fitting for Hongdae :)



at a playground in Hongdae "flee market" park, also called "hong-ik-gong-won", or "hong-il-children's park".

oh it's not a huge park at all~ but it's a fun place on the wkends where flee markets and performances are held. 

there was one a very confusing act when a man was patrolling a naked female mannikin (and touching it erotically) while a band was playing. we thought he was part of act/band, but later realized that he was definitely not any part of it.

it gets pretty interesting in hongdae. people dont look the same. you will see more ripped clothing/piercings/colors compared to the other "areas" of seoul, like SHINSA. shinsa and hongdae are two very different areas.

but i find that very appealing about seoul.  there are different "areas" with all different personalities in this city.  itaewon being a "multi cultural" area, kangnam as the "young crowd" area, non-hyun-dong being the "salary men" area, apgujeong as the "im all that" area, hongdae as the "free spirit artsy" area....so on~  and these areas change over time and new "areas" emerge as well.  Shinsa being one of the newest one.  Hongdae has stayed as the artsy area for a while now and I don't think it's going to change anytime soon.  Some know it for the "clubs" at nights, but it is a different place during the day time.  You will find cute cafes hiding somewhere around the corner~  it's a nice place to get lost~ 

You can get off at HONGDAE, HAPJEONG or SANGSU station to explore the "hongdae" area.  it takes about an area of 3 subway stops.  Again, don't be afraid to get lost~~ Seoul is safe and it's not as big as it sounds.  But if you end up getting lost, you can get a taxi and get back to where you want to be safely.  Taxi fares are not expensive btw.  So get your most comfortable gears on (shoes-outfit) and take a walk around "hongdae" area~~ that's how you really get to see the city~^^

My first celebrity in Korea!

Spotted my first celeb in Korea! I was excited like a noob, took a pic from a far and trotted my way out before it got crowded. They were filming cash cab! That guy is a singer-mc from a band called... I don't remember at top of my head... He looked a bit taller in person. Like when I saw lee minho from few steps away in Taiwan, he was super tall! Now I wonder how I'd react if I saw my saintly angie!!! ;). Probably freeze on awe...

bitter sweet 9 - chocolate shop in Hongdae

at hapjeong, we were wandering around and stumbled across this small chocolate shop... couldnt just pass through it, look how cute it is outside. it was hidden around a corner in a more residential street...



i got shy around wanting to sneak a peek at the small shop.. ^^ but glad we went it bc we found the best hot chocolate~~

kaldi coffee house (Hongdae)

kaldi coffee house in hongdae roast their coffee over charcoal..

this "special" coffee of the month/day/week (i dont know) was unique! it tasted like chocolate.. dark chocolate.. very dark and deep..








iced coffee also tasted like chocolate? whisker says^^

beattie previee (hapjeong)

one summer day in a cafe in hapjeong

buildings in hongdae

pet cafe in hongdae (cats & dogs)

pet cafe in hongdae earlier this week. mainly dogs really and one precious baby cat among all of them, precious..really precious.. :)



 and the dogs were just so beautiful!

Cacao Boom - chocolatier cafe in Hongdae

"cacao boom" - a famous chocolatier runs this exquisite chocolate shop in hongdae.

LAZY CAT cafe - Hongdae

who knew HAPJEONG had cute cafes?!! :)

































here's a cafe called LAZY CAT~

tora b - cutest cafe in Hongdae

tora b~~~ i heard a lot of good stuff about this cafe in hongdae~ and yes, it's in that alley way where all the cafes are hidden^^ i had to check this lil spot out~ it looks so dainty from outside.



it's packed with so much goodies once you go in~ from the cute white interior and "cute nature" theme to it.. i likely~ having a near perfect day to enjoy the weather, we decided to ditch the seatings inside and sat down on the table outside.


(perfect view to enjoy the scene out without getting sun burned^^)

bom nal (cafe in Hongdae)

spring day...

most would think this cafe's name would be quite fitting for this time of year;;; but in all honesty, the calendar is telling us to "think spring", but the weather is telling us different. although winter has been in and out the back door a handful of times this year, i'm hoping that it has said farewell for good. or at least until it's that time of year i'm wishing for a white christmas...

this meatless sandwich was mmm-MMM gooood~i can never go wrong with mozzarella cheese.

chocolat chocolate i love you - Mobssie cafe

you know you're obsessed with chocolate when you __________________.



so we ended up in hongdae to fulfill our chocolate madness after being in the same block 2 days ago... too much? well, until you try these you'll probably understand why.. ^^



started with this favorite of ours from MOBSSIE,



and ended the night with this yummy concoction... (from a cafe just few block down from mobssie - more photos soon about this new cafe!)




chocolate & more... :)

B1 floor (Hongdae cafe) - sandwiches & more

the sandwiches were satisfying~
a little of this, a little of that...
some black olives, spinach, mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar..




although we quickly snuck into the first available shelter to avoid the heavy snow that was dumping on us, it ended up being a pleasant little gem.

bakery FAIL..

i had high expectations for this Japanese style bakery called MILGALE in Hongdae..

but what a big booooooo...

i like my baked goods, fluffy and soft, and not rubbery and hard!! for a small bakery shop, a huge FAIL. i took 3 different kinds of baked goodies home.. one with blue berry, choco..and something else... i don't ever remember things that i don't really like.. so sorry, you FAIL

la main douce - cafe in Hongdae

any seoul cafe critic, whether an absolute beginner or a top of the line pro, is well aware that the "paris" theme in this country is taken over the top. paris? really? totally overrated in my opinion. and this is a place of that exact theme. but.. theme isn't everything, right? absolutely not. the stenciled-on kitchen utensils were my favorite part of the entire cafe. the map of paris? not so much.

this place was nice and small~making it cozy and comfortable. and i mustn't fail to mention that the door on this place exceeds the size of my entire apartment. it was huge! our sweet eats of choice were definitely a success.