[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Follow the crowd to Korea's trendiest streets

K-campus

Published: 03 Mar. 2023, 09:46 Updated: 06 Mar. 2023, 18:45

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Follow the crowd to Korea's trendiest streets

Quafe in Mangridangil presents a variety of twisted donuts that are not just sweet but also creative. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Urban life never gets boring, especially in a city where neighborhoods undergo constant erratic changes to create new and trendy hotspots.

With the temperature gradually climbing, young Koreans are spilling out to the city streets to enjoy photogenic cafes and attractions. These streets are not as crammed as indoor shopping malls, but still popular with huge crowds flocking to the latest trendy cafe or restaurant.

If you want to know if somewhere is trendy in Seoul there's one unfailing litmus test: Has anyone tried adding the suffix -ridangil to the place name yet?

The obsession with -ridangil comes from Gyeongnidan-gil in Itaewon, central Seoul, the real name of a real road that has long been one of the cities' trendiest spots. The origin of the name comes from the nearby Republic of Korea Army Financial Management Corps, or Yukgunjungang Gyeongnidan in Korean. Gyeongnidan was combined with gil, the Korean word for road, to name the street, and in spoken Korean the "n" starts to sound more like an "r" — just like that, the -ridan suffix was born.

The popularity of Gyeongridan-gil prompted a spate of -ridangil nicknames describing other trendy neighborhoods, like Mangridangil in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, and Songridangil in Songpa, southern Seoul. Now that trend has gone nationwide and there's -ridangils cropping up all over the country.

Here are four of those metropolitan streets to visit for a warm weekend getaway in Seoul and Gyeonggi.

Songridangil

Hoi An Roastery, a former multi-household home redesigned to become a colorful coffee house, gives off definite Vietnamese vibes. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Songridangil is probably one of the hottest streets in Seoul right now, with the Lotte trio — Jamsil Lotte Adventure Park, Lotte World Mall and Lotte Department Store — nearby, not to mention the beautiful Seokchon Lake for a breezy promenade.

Already a crowded area due to the existing attractions, Songridangil provides a trendy edge to a visit to Jamsil. It has famous food brands such as Downtowners with burgers, Knotted where you can get cream-filled donuts and Ginger Bear Pie Shop. There are more photo booths than anybody could ever need and lines of young Koreans waiting to capture their big day out in four rapid-fire photos.

The narrow paths might confuse you at first, but random shops will pop out to ensure you’re still safely in the zone of Songridangil. Make sure to take a walk around Seokchon Lake to enjoy the view of the artificial lake. If you’re lucky, you may run into some skilled pianists spontaneously performing their relay of songs on the blue public pianos.

23 Baekjegobun-ro 43-gil, Songpa District, Seoul

Mangridangil

Mangridangil is home to many dessert shops. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Mangridangil’s first syllable is from Mangwon-dong, a neighborhood in Mapo District, western Seoul. It is located 20 minutes from Hongik University Station, also known as Hongdae. For those who aren't keen on the party craze at Hongdae, Mangridangil is a great alternative as it appears much more tranquil. However, the street shops are pretty full of people eager to search for a restaurant with a delicate interior or unique independent shop. It’s easy to come across young couples enjoying their dates in addition to fashionable groups of people taking photos to upload on social media.

Mangwon Market provides a traditional twist to visitors of Mangridangil. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Mangridangil is near Mangwon Market, a traditional marketplace where you can purchase local food. With the street and the traditional market next to each other, Mangridangil offers both retro and modern vibes. Many of the shops are refurnished old multi-household homes, allowing shop owners to restyle the small area to their own taste.

403-7 Mangwon-dong, Mapo District, Seoul

Mangwon Market
27 Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo District, Seoul

Yongridangil

Teddy Beurre House welcomes visitors with its sky blue walls and teddy bear decorations. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Yongridangil is located in between Sinyongsan and Samgakji Stations and has recently started to grow as a popular area. It is not too far away from Gyeongnidangil, around 15 minutes away by bus and half an hour by foot. Due to gentrification in Gyeongnidangil, the popularity with the more edgy crowd has started to fall and Yongridangil is stepping in instead. Once having been an extremely quiet and unknown place, the street started developing after Amorepacific, one of Korea’s biggest beauty and health companies, relocated its headquarters next to Sinyongsan Station in November 2017.

The most viral place currently is Teddy Beurre House, where you can taste French croissants and pastries. The sky blue walls and teddy bear decorations in front of the shop are an attractive factor as well. The waiting line is very long, so those who are determined to visit are advised to put on comfy shoes for the wait. Apart from a few popular spots, there are other little cafes and shops to enjoy as well.

25 Hangang-daero 50-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul

Teddy Beurre House
@teddy.beurre.house
42 Hangang-daero 40ga-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
Business Hours:
Weekday, 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m., Weekend, 10:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Phone number: 070-7776-8666

Haengridangil

Banghwasuryujeong Pavillion surprises visitors with its beauty overlooking Yongyeon pond. [GYEONGGI TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Haengridangil is located near the historic Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon, a temporary residence for kings during the Joseon Dynasty. The name Haengridangil has been in vogue only recently, as the area was more well known as Haenggung-dong. The neighborhood leads visitors through a nostalgic path of history with traces of the ancient city and Hwaseong Fortress, but Haengridangil adds a modern touch. With a lot of small shops, photo booths, cafes and restaurants, visitors can get the full old-and-modern package in a day.

Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion is part of the journey, a place where a media art show takes place during the fall. If you are fed up with the gentrified landscapes of the same shops and cafes, try visiting Haengridangil for a historical touch. It is recommended to visit in late afternoon, as the night view of the palace is breathtaking.

43 Hwaseomun-ro, Paldal District, Suwon, Gyeonggi

Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion
44-6, Suwoncheon-ro 392beon-gil, Paldal District, Suwon, Gyeonggi
Business Hours: Open everyday
Phone number: 031-290-3600