Hongdae Guide
Explore the neighborhood around our dance venues
Shopping Guide
K-Beauty & Cosmetics
Olive Young Hongdae Town — Korea’s #1 beauty retailer opened its second-largest flagship (991 sqm) in Hongdae in April 2025. Foreign tourists now account for over 25% of Olive Young’s offline sales. Multilingual staff, K-beauty consulting, and in-store tax refund available.
| Category | Popular Products | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreens | Skin1004, ROUND LAB, Goodal SPF50+ | ₩12,000–20,000 |
| Lip Tints | Torriden, Dinto, BBIA | ₩10,000–19,000 |
| Serums | Anua PDRN, S.NATURE Squalane | ₩18,000–28,000 |
| Sheet Masks | MEDIHEAL (10-pack) | ₩10,000–15,000 |
Other beauty stores along the main street: Innisfree, Etude House, The Face Shop, Nature Republic
K-Fashion & Vintage
| Store | What to Find | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Musinsa Standard Hongdae | Korean casual wear flagship (976 sqm). T-shirts, pants, outerwear. 144 Yanghwa-ro. | ₩15,000–80,000 |
| Ader Error | Experimental streetwear. Asymmetric cuts, oversized silhouettes. Art-gallery flagship. | ₩50,000–300,000+ |
| Root Hongdae | Vintage outerwear & denim. Retro warehouse-style. 75 Dokmak-ro. | From ₩5,000 |
| Vinbro | 3-floor designer vintage: Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Coach. | ₩5,000–300,000 |
| Page One | Women’s vintage since 2009. 80s fashion & curated Japanese brands. | Varies |
The Hongdae pedestrian zone (Eoulmadang-ro) is car-free Fri–Sun from noon to 11 PM, with many independent boutiques and accessory shops in the surrounding alleys.
Character & Souvenir Shops
| Store | Highlights | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kakao Friends | 4-floor flagship, 2,000+ items. Ryan, Apeach plushies from ₩15,000. | 162 Yanghwa-ro (Exit 8) |
| LINE Friends | BT21 merch (2F), themed cafe (B1). Brown & Friends goods. | 141 Yanghwa-ro (L7 bldg) |
| Artbox | Stationery, gifts, character goods. Gacha machines. ₩1,000–20,000. | 19 Hongik-ro |
| Daiso | 4–5 story variety shop. Beauty, snacks, stationery. Everything ₩1,000–5,000. | Near Hongik Univ. Station |
K-Pop Merch
WithMuu (AK Plaza Hongdae) — Official lightsticks, albums, and merch from all major labels. The largest K-pop store in the Hongdae area.
Hongdae Kpop Store — Multi-label goods, albums, fan-made items. Tourist discounts available. Custom photocard vending machines.
Beat Road — Specializes in official lightsticks. 3rd floor, walkable from the main shopping street.
💰 Tax Refund for Tourists
Foreign visitors can get a VAT refund (approx. 5–8%) on purchases of ₩15,000+ at stores with “Tax Free” signs.
Instant refund: Tax deducted at the register — just show your passport. Up to ₩1,000,000 per transaction.
Airport refund: For larger purchases. Keep receipts and present goods at customs before departure.
Food Guide
Korean cuisine is one of the highlights of visiting Seoul. Here are must-try dishes near SBDF venues:
| Dish | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Korean BBQ (삼겹살/갈비) | Grill pork belly or beef ribs at your table | ₩18,000-25,000 |
| Dakgalbi (닭갈비) | Spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables and rice cakes | ₩13,000-20,000 |
| Tteokbokki (떡볶이) | Spicy rice cakes — Korea’s #1 street food | ₩3,000-5,000 |
| Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) | Hearty kimchi stew, perfect comfort food | ₩7,000-9,000 |
| Bibimbap (비빔밥) | Mixed rice bowl with vegetables and gochujang sauce | ₩8,000-12,000 |
| Chimaek (치맥) | Korean fried chicken + beer — the ultimate combo | ₩20,000-30,000 |
Dietary Options
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Many banchan (side dishes) are vegetable-based. Say “고기 빼 주세요” (gogi ppae juseyo) = “No meat please”
- Halal: Busanjib Hongdae (Korean BBQ), Yeti (Indian/Nepalese), Potala (Indian/Nepalese/Tibetan) — all near Hongdae
- Late-night food: Most restaurants open until midnight or later. Convenience stores (CU, GS25) sell ready meals 24/7.