🌿Day 1 — A Slow and Beautiful Day in Western Seoul
Mangwon Market, Mangridang-gil, Gyeongui Line Forest Park, CORICO Café & A Night in Hongdae
🌏 Before You Head Out to West Seoul Tour
Before you go, make sure to download Naver Map — the most reliable navigation app in Korea.
While Google Maps can be inconsistent with local addresses and routes, Naver Map offers accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English.
From finding landmarks and cafés to navigating festivals, neighborhoods, and transit, it’s the best all-around map app for getting around Seoul smoothly.
Available on both Android and iOS, it’s an essential travel companion in Korea.
👉 Download Naver Map (Google Play) | App Store
Friday, November 28.
The air was crisp, the sky an impossibly clear blue — the kind that makes you feel something wonderful might happen.
At 10:30 AM, I left Sejong Government Complex and boarded the express bus to Seoul (13,900 KRW).
Just past noon, 12:10 PM, I arrived at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, where the underground shopping street, GoTo Mall, buzzed with energy.
The sound of hurried footsteps, people weaving through narrow aisles, the nostalgic warmth of an old shopping arcade — it was the familiar start to another Seoul adventure.
I took the subway to Mangwon Market. (Transferred at Aksu Station, Line 3, and then changed to Line 6 at Mangwon Station, exit 2. About 40 minutes.)
Mangwon Market
📍 Location: 27, Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
🕛 Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (varies by shop)
💰 Fee: Free to explore
🚉 Public Transport: Mangwon Station, Line 6, exit 2
🛒 Mangwon Market – A Small but Cozy Traditional Market Over 40 Years Old
Mangwon Market is more than 40 years old — modest in size, but rich in everyday charm.
Unlike the overwhelming energy of major markets like Namdaemun or Gwangjang, this place feels cozy and intimate, like stepping into the rhythm of neighborhood life.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and meat, kimchi and homemade banchan, and irresistible street foods — kimbap, tteokbokki, hotteok, fish cake, tempura.
The warmth of steam rising from soup pots, the sound of knives chopping, laughter between neighbors — all of it becomes part of the memory.
The market was bustling with foreign tourists, and the popular snack bars and small pubs were already packed.
Still, I managed to grab a quick lunch at a small snack shop, enjoying warm kimbap and a cup of steaming fish cake broth.
Simple, cheap, heartwarming — the kind of food that soothes the soul better than anything grand.
Afterward, I took a short walk, passed through Manglidan-gil, and headed to Hongdae Station (2:40).
West Seoul Tour
🏙 Manglidan-gil – A Charming Alley Created by ‘Mangwon-dong + Gyeongridan-gil’
When you exit Mangwon Station on Line 6 at Exit 2, you’ll be greeted by the narrow alleys of the traditional market.
As you stroll through Mangwon Market, you’ll pass by old signs and low-rise buildings, with cafes and restaurants lining the streets. This is Manglidan-gil, a hidden gem in the heart of Mangwon.
The name “Manglidang-gil” comes from combining Mangwon and Gyeongridan-gil, a playful nod to another famous Seoul neighborhood.
Once a quiet residential area, the narrow alleyways are now filled with independent cafés, dessert shops, bakeries, and lifestyle stores.
It’s a place where “slow neighborhood charm” meets hip urban culture, and where wandering without a destination becomes the whole point.
West Seoul Tour
🏞 Mangwon-dong — A Place Born from Serenity
The name Mangwon-dong traces back to an old pavilion called Mangwonjeong (望遠亭), built in 1424 by Prince Hyoryeong, the elder brother of King Sejong.
Originally named Hiujeong (喜雨亭) — meaning “Pavilion of Joyful Rain” — it earned its name when a long-awaited rain fell during a royal agricultural inspection.
Later, under Prince Wolsan, its name changed to Mangwonjeong, holding the poetic meaning “a place where one could gaze far across mountains and rivers.”
Even now, long after the area transformed into a residential neighborhood filled with small shops and low buildings, that spirit remains — the slow, restful feeling of a place meant to look outward, to breathe, to pause.
West Seoul Tour
At 2:40 PM, I took the subway at Mangwon Station, transferred from Line 6 to Line 2 at Hapjeong Station, and got off at Hongdae Station, then made my way to Yeontral Park (Gyeongui Line Forest Park).
🌿Yeontral Park (Gyeongui Line Forest Park) – Once a Railroad, Now a River of People
Once a railway stretching from Yongsan toward the north, the Gyeongui Line was moved underground in 1905— and the abandoned track became a space waiting for possibility.
Starting in 2009, the city began a transformation project, and by 2016, the entire 6.3 km linear park opened to the public.
In late November, the path was lined with fiery autumn leaves.
The warmth of people strolling, dogs playing, musicians singing, cafés spilling light onto the street — the park felt alive.
This section between Yeonnam-dong and Hongik University Station is affectionately called “Yeontral Park”, Seoul’s version of New York’s Central Park — small, narrow, but deeply loved.
West Seoul Tour
Walking through Yeontral Park, with its colorful autumn leaves and charming cafes, was pure bliss. Unique and vibrant cafes, boutiques, and pubs line the path, making the walk a feast for the eyes.
☕ Koriko Café — A Slice of Studio Ghibli
I stopped at Koriko Café, a place I had long wanted to visit — a dreamlike Ghibli-themed café where the spirit of Kiki’s Delivery Service lingers in every corner.
Americano 5,500 KRW
Lemon Cake 7,800 KRW
Warm coffee, soft cake, tired legs resting, heart settling — It felt like being wrapped in a gentle blanket on a quiet winter afternoon.
🏡 Jun Guesthouse (Hongdae) — 40,000 KRW
Hongdae Jun Guesthouse, a small, spotless, peaceful women-only guesthouse — perfectly located near Hongik Univ. Station, surrounded by bars, restaurants, and late-night energy yet quiet when needed most. It offers dormitories, double rooms, and single rooms. The single room is affordable at just ₩40,000 per night.
🍺 Evening — Miro Restaurant & Deeper Pub Rooftop
At 6 PM, I met up with old college friends at Miro Restaurant. Although it’s a small restaurant hidden up on a hill, Miro Restaurant is a true local gem, a true local favorite, where we had bossam and jeon.
After catching up, we headed to the charming Deeper Rooftop Pub for round two, where a glowing rooftop heater and twinkling Christmas lights created a magical winter vibe with a heater next to us. We shared Margherita & Gorgonzola pizzas, cold beer, and long conversations about life, dreams, memories, and the winding paths that brought us here.
It felt like finding treasure — friends who shine brighter with time, and the warmth of belonging even in a cold city.
🌙 A Soft Ending
And so the night faded — wrapped in good company, gentle laughter, and the soft glow of holiday lights.
Western Seoul, with its humble streets and quiet joys, had given me exactly what I didn’t know I needed: a peaceful, beautiful, heartfelt day.
⭐Private Tour – Experience Hongdae Like a Local
If you want to explore Hongdae beyond the usual tourist spots, here are some great private tour and local experience options. These are perfect for travelers who want something more immersive — from K-POP dance classes to local food tours.
Absolute Pub Crawl Experience in Hongdae and Itaewon (Klook)
K-POP Dance One-Day Class with a Professional (Hongdae) (Klook)
Seoul: K-POP Dance Class with a Professional in Hongdae (GetYourGuide)
- Hongdae Hairstyling Uniqe- by
These activities are perfect if you want to feel the energetic and youthful vibe of Hongdae — from dancing to nightlife.
⭐ Private Tour – Mangwon Market – Local Food & Culture Tours
If Mangwon Market made you curious about local flavors, these tours help you experience the market like a true local:
Perfect for travelers who love food, cooking, or just want a deeper look into West Seoul’s everyday culture.
⭐ Where to Stay – Guesthouses & Hotels Near Hongdae
If you’re planning to spend more time in the Hongdae/Mangwon/Yeonnam area, here are some convenient places to stay:
Great for travelers looking for cozy guesthouses, stylish hotels, or budget-friendly stays.
Stay tuned for our next destination —
a magical winter journey through Hyundai Christmas Village 2025 at The Hyundai Seoul ✨
If you enjoyed Day 1 in West Seoul, you’ll absolutely love this sparkling holiday experience.
👉 Next Destination: Hyundai Christmas Village 2025 — Christmas Magic at The Hyundai Seoul
https://enko.co.kr/hyundai-christmas-village-2025/
Warm lights, festive music, breathtaking photo spots, and the most beautiful Christmas vibes in Seoul await you 🎄
🚆 Affiliate Disclosure
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