[Visit AREX Station] Depart from Hongik University Station Exit 9 To Seogyo-dong For Food Tour

 

[Visit AREX Station] 🔍

by. Airport Railroad [AREX Magazine]

Let's check out AREX Station with Spee and Nareu! 🚄

Let's go on a food tour from Hongik University Station Exit 9 To Seogyo-dong.

Dessert Merlion

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 3 mins]

This is a Singaporean dessert cafe that is difficult to find in Korea. You can find various dessert made with Pandan, a type of herb widely used in Southeast Asia. It is a must to try the pandan cake, which is the Singapore national cake. Although it looks like matcha cake, the taste is totally different. The scent of pandan, which is in between jasmine and vanilla scent, is subtle, and the soft texture is perfect.

[Information about Dessert Merlion]

 1. Address : 2F Obok Building, 75, Wausan-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : 13:00 - 22:00 daily

 3. Instagram : www.instagram.com/dessert_merlion

 4. Contact number : +82-10-2654-5334

Sandy Beach Bakehouse

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 10 mins]

This place, which stands out even from far, was renovated to a cafe with the theme of beach, from a building that was neglected for a long time. They serve all-day sandwiches, and you can also enjoy a variety of menu. The "Sundried Tomato Jambon Sandwich" with fresh vegetables and savory cheese in the Jambon made of Jeju black pork is the most popular menu. As for the bread type, you may choose from the crispy baguette or soft sourdough. As for the drinks, it is recommended to try Passion Fruit & Coconut Ade which guarantees a refreshing taste made of homemade passion fruit syrup.

[Information about Sandy Beach Bakehouse]

 1. Address : 42 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : 10:00-22:00 daily

 3. Instagram : www.instagram.com/sandybeach_seoul

 4. Contact number : +82-2-3144-3663

Cafe Lucia

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 9 mins]

There is one European-style two-story brick house in Seogyo-dong alley that is always packed with young people. It is a popular cafe with cozy and vintage atmosphere that is good for you to spend time warming up your body on a cold Winter day. They have more variety of tea available as compared to coffee. It is recommended to order scones and afternoon tea together.  There are many types of scones, but the scone with whipped cream that melts in the mouth goes well with black tea.

[Information about Cafe Lucia]

 1. Address : 14 Jandari-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : Mon, Wed, Thurs 12:00-21:00 / Fri- Sun 12:00-22:00 *Closed on Tues

 3. Instagram : www.instagram.com/cafelucia_hongdae

 4. Contact number : +82-2-337-1656

Cafe Slit Seoul

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 9 mins]

This is a cafe that appeared as a popular place on social media due to its achromatic colored geometrical exterior and interior. For their Espresso, they blend the selected dense beans, allowing you to feel the acidity and sweetness, as well as the heavy body of the ripen fruit. If you don't want strong caffeine, it is recommended to try  Colombia Supremo Decaffein coffee beans that has a savory taste of roasted almond and gaeng yeot candy. Occasionally, exhibition is also held at this place so please check their social media account.

[Information about Cafe Slit Seoul]

 1. Address : 21-12 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : Mon, Wed - Sun 12:00 -21:00 *Closed on Tues

 3. Instagram : www.instagram.com/slit_seoul

 4. Contact number : 0507-1390-4440

Cafe CONTACT

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 14 mins]

It is a cafe suitable for people who want to enjoy good music, enjoy delicious coffee or natural wine, and to focus on doing their work on their laptops. On weekdays, it is good to do your work or join a meeting whereas on weekends, you can see the DJs playing in the underground scene. The signature drinks are Ton & Ton Latte which is in three tones with different tastes in the beginning, middle and end, and Milk Balm in which Bergamot-scented earl grey is harmonized with sweet and savory chestnut as base. Along with the cafe, there is also TTP, a workspace for creators, where you can get discounts at the cafe discounts if you are using it.

[Information about Cafe CONTACT]

 1. Address : 45 Yanghwa-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : Weekdays 9:00-22:00 / Weekend 12:00-22:00

 3. Instagram : www.instagram.com/contact_seoul

 4. Contact number : +82-2-6959-1062

Panello

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 14 mins]

It is one of the few pizza restaurants in Korea that was acknowledged as authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza. In order to get the pizza and Trattoria certified by the Neapolitan Pizza Association, it has strict screening criterias which pizzas must be baked in a firewood oven and the thickness must be observed. It is recommended to try Bufala Pizza that contains buffalo milk and Burrata Pizza that comes in a large chunk of burrata cheese. Tajarin Pasta with Truffle that contains four type of mushrooms and nice truffle scent is also very delicious.

[Information about Panello]

 1. Address : 29 Eoulmadang-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : Tues - Fri 18:00-23:00 (Last order 21:20)  *Closed on Mondays

Sat 12:00-22:00 (Last order 15:00/21:00)

Sun 12:00-21:00 (Last order 15:00/20:00) 

 3. Instagram : https://blog.naver.com/gycjs17

 4. Contact number : +82-2-322-0920

Mohssen's Sweets

[Hongik University Station Exit 9 → Walk 12 mins]

This is a famous take-out cafe that serves Arab dessert - Kaymak. Kaymak is a white cream made by boiling the milk for 20 hours, and is a favorite dessert in the Middle East such as Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

The exquisite combination of butter, cheese and whipped cream brings out an excellent taste. Bal Sut is made by putting honey in the small amount of thick milk that comes out when making Kaymak, and is heated up. It is really popular so it often sold out early.

It is recommended to tear the warm bread by hand and eat it with Kaymak and honey.

[Information about Mohssen's Sweets]

 1. Address : 51-1 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 2. Opening hours : 12:00 - 22:00 daily

 3. Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mohssen.s_sweets

 4. Contact number : +82-70-7543-7354

[Recommended Bingsu Cafe in Hongdae] Cafe Allee and 17 Dossi

Bingsu (Korean shaved ice) can be thought of as a Summer dessert, but it is also prepared for people who cannot give up ice even if it is cold. 

There are so many types of bingsu available - from old style bingsu made of ice, jelly, red beans, and milk fruit, to bingsu made with plenty of fresh fruits, to milk bingsu that melts nicely in the mouth. In this post, we will introduce to you two bingsu cafe in Yeonnam-dong.

#1 Cafe Allee

First cafe that we will introduce is the Cafe Allee that is located just 6 mins walk from Hongik University Station. This is a place where you can try homemade red bean bingsu.

Just like other cafes, there are various types of coffee and other beverages, but in Summer, Patbingsu (red bean bingsu) is one of the best sellers. For bingsu, you can order for 1 person or 2 person, so don't worry if you come here alone.

The cafe is quite spacious, and you can see that the interior is neat and nice.

Find the special mascot hidden in Cafe Allee, which is the cat! As you take a bite of the bingsu and drink the coffee, just enjoy looking at the cat walking around the cafe freely. Indeed, it is a mascot that is cute and it attracts people's attention and gets their love.

This is the Cafe Allee's Homemade Patbingsu! It is a basic red bean bingsu put in the cool brass bowl with soft ice made of milk, and many homemade red beans in the middle, as well as injeolmi rice cake.

Mix well the injeolmi, homemade red beans and soft ice made of milk, and you can blow away the heat during Summer.

Homemade red beans are so much more delicious because they are not too sweet or savory, unlike other commercially made red beans that has strong artificial sweet taste. The red beans are large and soft and it makes you eat it non-stop.

Although it is made of simple ingredients that goes well with the chewy injeolmi rice cake, and one could finish the bingsu in just a short time.

[Information about Cafe Allee]

1. Getting There: AREX Hongik University Station Exit 1, walk 6 mins

2. Address: 12 World cup buk-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

3. Opening Hours: Weekdays 08:30 - 10:30 / Weekends 12:00 - 21:00

4. Contact Number: +82-2-332-2031

5. Price: Red Bean Bingsu KRW 6,500 for 1 person, KRW 11,000 for 2 person

※ Information is subject to change

#2 17 Dossi

The next cafe that will be introduced here is the cafe that you will see when you walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, which is Cafe 17 Dossi. Upon entering the cafe, you will notice the interior with warm wood tone.

Cafe 17 Dossi is actually a premium homemade chocolate shop. Thus, you will find many popular dessert that uses chocolate as ingredients. One of the most popular menu is the sweet chocolate bingsu and ice-cream which is available during Summer.

As a homemade chocolate store, you are able to try various type of chocolate dessert. This is a famous chocolate store as many people come here to buy the chocolate bon bons to give as gift.

During our visit, we ordered the popular Summer menu of 17 Dossi - Chocolate Bingsu. Chocolate Bingsu is made of original chocolate and dark chocolate. Please take note that the Chocolate Bingsu is only available in 2 person portion.

The Chocolate Bingsu was served in a bowl and it looks soft and sweet. Since this is Summer bestseller, it can be sold out early if you come here too late. It is recommended to visit the cafe earlier if you wish to try the chocolate bingsu. You can also check 17 Dossi Instagram account for updates in case it is already sold out for the day.

At 17 Dossi, the toppings are served separately, so you can put the toppings as much as you like. You can also use the chocolate topping to adjust the sugar level according to your preference, so just put the amount that you want.

Chocolate bingsu topped with savory nuts, chewy chocolate snacks, sweet and soft chocolate syrup! It fills your mouth with a luxurious and sweet taste of chocolate. Most importantly, as a chocolate specialty shop, the chocolate that is soft and high quality leaves a strong impression. Besides that, the ice was also gently grind and soft like ice-cream. It is not as sweet as you think it is, so you can add on more toppings.

If you are feeling tired, why don't you come and visit these bingsu cafe to have some bingsu and chill?

[Information about 17 Dossi]

1. Getting There: AREX Hongik University Station Exit 3, walk 7 mins

2. Address: 38 Donggyo-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

3. Opening Hours:  12:30 - 22:00 daily

4. Contact Number: 0507-1378-1706

5. Price: Chocolate Bingsu (2 pax)  KRW 17,000

6. Instagram: http://instagram.com/17dossi

※※ Information is subject to change

[Popular Strawberry Cakes Shop in Hongdae] MayB Cake and Peony Cafe

When spring comes, the sweet strawberries also comes into our mind.  Strawberry goes well with sweet whipped cream and soft bread, making it the best fruit for dessert as well as cake.

In this post, we will introduce 2 cake shop/cafe where you can try delicious strawberries cake.

#1 MayB Cake

The first cake shop that we will introduce is MayB Cake shop that is located in Hongdae. This is one of the famous shop that offers pretty looking cake.

The moment you enter the cake shop, you can see the strawberry cakes in pretty colors such as red and white displaying at the stand. Since Mayb Cake is a cake specialty shop, they do not sell in slices or other menus in the cafe, and only whole cake is available for purchase. You may make reservation for the cake by sending them a message on Kakaotalk '카페메이비'.

Mayb Cake shop opens at 11am to 8pm daily. You can try a variety of cakes full of seasonal fruits.

Please check their menus on their Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/may_cake_tarte/ 

We made reservation for the strawberry cake through Kakaotalk, and pick it up from the store. Since there is whipped cream, the cake must be refrigerated and is best to consume within 1 or 2 days.

There is no fixed pin at the bottom of the cake sheet, so please be very careful when you hold the cake box while walking.

You can find a lot of big, fresh, red strawberries put on top of the cake. The sugar powder that is sprinkled on top reminds us of the snow that is piled up.

Even at the side of the cake, they cut the strawberries into half and decorated it. It looks so pretty thus receiving love from many people nowadays.

They use 100% animal cream that is really soft and tastes so good because it contains strong milk taste. It blends well with the sweet and sour fresh strawberries and make you want to keep eating it. The sheet cake is moist, soft and not too sweet, so it is not too much if you eat it as dessert without coffee or any drinks. Cake Size 1 is good for 2 to 5 people and size 2 is good for 4 to 8 people.

[Information about May B Cake]

 

1. Getting Here : Get off at AREX Hongik University Station Exit 7, Walk 7 mins

 2. Address : 15 Wausan-ro 30-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 

 3. Opening hours: 11:00 - 20:00 daily

 4. Contact number : 070-4025-9624

 5. Instagram : http://instagram.com/may_cake_tarte

 6. Price : Strawberry Cake Size 1 - KRW 36,000, Size 2 - KRW 48,000

#2 Cafe Peony

The second cake shop that we will introduce is Cafe Peony that is already famous as cafe selling strawberry cake.

The cake stand is filled with colorful strawberry cakes and other dessert.

In Cafe Peony, you can enjoy a variety of dessert such as whole cake, cake slice, cheesecake, tarts and jam.

The strawberry whipped cream cake in Cafe Peony also uses animal whipped cream and fresh strawberries. You can also order strawberry milk, which is delivered directly from production site.

Cafe Peony opens from 12pm to 10pm and will be closed on main day of the festival and the day before that. You may buy the whole cake by visiting the cafe or make reservation via call.

.

We ordered the most famous strawberry cake and chocolate cream cake in slices.

Between the beautifully cut slice cake, there are a lot of strawberries and bananas in side, and the top is filled with fresh strawberries.

The cakes are available in slices so it is good for those who want to bring it home to enjoy home cafe alone or when you suddenly crave for dessert.

For the chocolate cream cake, there are a lot of fresh bananas that blend well with the soft and sweet chocolate cream. It's not too sweet too.

May B Cafe shop serves soft and moist whipped cream cake that makes it hard to feel the sheet cake. On the other hand, you can feel the sheet cake stronger in the cake from Cafe Peony. However, if you are a strawberry cake lover or dessert lover, it is worth trying both of the cake shop that serve delicious strawberry cakes!

[Information about Cafe Peony]

 1.Getting There : At Hongik University Station, Get off at Exit 9, walk 11 mins.

 2. Address : 56 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 3.  Opening Hours: 12:00 - 22:00 daily (Last order at 21:00) / Closed on first day of main festive day and festive day eve

 4. Contact Number: +82-2-333-5325

 5. Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/peonycake_/

 6. Price : Strawberry Cake  KRW 6,300 per slice, Chocolate cream cake KRW 6,300 per slice, Cheesecake KRW 5,800 per slice