Things To Do In Sindang, aka the ‘Hip’dang of Seoul
A mix of old-Seoul rice vendors and newtro bars and restaurants, Sindang, aka “Hipdang” has a unique mix of things to find. Centered around one of the three largest traditional markets in Seoul, Korea, young people are flocking to the old alleys of this unassuming area where it’s not so neat and tidy but that’s what makes it fun.
The area around Sindang Station has a lot to find and the exteriors of most of them are gritty and will leave you wondering where the door is, but that’s what makes finding cafes, restaurants, and shops in Sindang fun. Get ready to dive in.
Get ready to see more and do more in Sindang-dong, Seoul:
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)
The History
Sindang-dong is a little gritty and old and while it’s removed from the glitz of Gangnam, or the hip of Hongdae, it’s an area of Seoul that offers a different vibe in Seoul. Some have said the area can take you back to the 1970s of Seoul thanks to the grit. It’s definitely got an old-Seoul charm.
In the early 1920s under Japanese colonial rule, this area was home to the wholesale trade of rice and grains. At one point, around 70% of Seoul’s rice was traded through here. This makes it unsurprising that the district boasts market after market after market. This market was actually where Chung Ju Yung, founder of the Hyundai Group got his first start in the 1930s.
The rice trade here witnessed a downturn in the 1980s thanks to the rise of supermarket chains and online shopping malls so that today only around a dozen rice stores remain. However, when the rice vendors moved out, more vendors moved in and the area is market after market of various goods from grains to fashion accessories today. You really just need to know what you want to buy and you can probably find it here.
Where To Eat
Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동떡볶이골목)
One of the must-eats in the area in tteokbokki, a spicy pan-friend rice cake dish that can come with dumplings, fish cakes, hardboiled eggs and ramen. Sindang tteokbokki is an experience though. Unlike the streetfood vendors all around the city, here there’s an entire alley of tteokbokki vendors who cook the meal right at your table.
The oldest restaurant on the street is Ma Bong-nim Halmeoni Tteokbokki which was founded in 1953. Her dish is a bit different from standard tteokbokki options though because she added a sweet Chinese black bean sauce to the tangy red pepper sauce used on tteokbokki creating an intriguing sweet and spicy taste. The other restaurants on the alley have similarly stepped up their game though and offer unique and delicious tteokbokki options. If you like spicy, stop here!
Ma Bong-nim Halmeoni Tteokbokki
- Address: 5 Dasan-ro, 35-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
La Calle (라까예)
This street taco spot might surprise you sitting right inside the traditional Seoul Jungang Market. It has the eats to back up the hype. “Taco is for everyone” -> Agree!
- Address: 42 Toegye-ro, 85-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00pm ~ 10:00pm; Saturday – Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Hani Kalguksu (하니칼국수)
Feeling super hungry? Go here. Generous portions of delicious handmade noodle soups, there is often a long line here, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. The most popular dish is ‘Algoni Kalguksu’, which comes topped with fish roe and water parsley. Definitely don’t pass up on the boiled slices of meat or grilled pork ribs you can get on the side.
- Address: 411-15 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로 411-15)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:30am ~ 10:00pm (Tuesdays – Fridays there’s a break time from 2:30pm ~ 5:00pm)
Mooring Hall (계류관)
You have to stop here for some of the mouthwatering chicken. Try some chicken that is filled with glutinous rice and grilled over oak, or the fried chicken gizzards, and then some makguksu with fried chicken feet on top. It’s mouth-watering delicious.
- Address: 15-17 Toegye-ro 87-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로87길 15-17)
- Hours: Every day: 4:00pm ~ 11:00pm
Balladak (발라닭)
If you’re looking for a chicken and beer spot in Sindang, this is the one to find. Try their chicken in a spicy mandarin sauce and the green onion cream sauce. It’s a great spot that looks unassuming from the outside, but is a lot of fun on the inside.
- Address: 411-34 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로 411-34)
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 5:00pm ~ 12:30am; Friday – Saturday: 5:00pm ~ 1:30am
Papa Ramen (파파라멘)
You’ll spot this bright orange sign from down the street. For some reason it made me think of a car wash, a spick and span clean vibe with the bubbles. Step in and you should definitely try their signature Tonkotsu ramen and definitely get a side of pork with Papa’s special kimchi.
- Address: 11 Dasan-ro 36na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 다산로36나길 11)
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm (Break time from 3:00pm ~ 5:00pm)
Cool Cafes in Sindang
Kafe Apothecary
I was in the Sindang area for something-or-other five or six years ago and sat in this warehouse cafe for a couple hours with a friend. I was happily surprised when I went back to the area recently and found out it’s still there and still has the same nice owners. The tables and chairs were changed at some point, but still had good airy warehouse vibes and awesome light fixtures.
- Address: 409-9 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Mailroom (메일룸)
This cool cafe is another spot that is playing up the gritty vibes on the exterior with hidden charms on the interior. Step in and it looks like a small hole-in-the-wall cafe with very little seating until you realize the wall of mailboxes is actually a door that leads to stairs where you can find two floors inside. They have some very delicious coffee options and is definitely an unexpected spot in the market side streets.
- Address: 10-7 Toegye-ro, 83-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 9:30pm
Where To Have Drinks
Zoosindang (주신당)
Just as gritty but with a new glam, Zoosindang has become a hotspot in the area for those in the know. What looks like a well-worn wall from the outside houses a zodiac-themed cocktail bar on the inside… you just have to find the door. Inspired by the Korean zodiac signs, the bar has 12 zodiac animal drinks and food to go with them.
Playing up the history of Sindang-dong being home to shamans during the Joseon Dynasty, you aren’t required to drink only your zodiac animal, though it is fun to see if you like it. Are you a rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig? Find out when you go if you don’t know.
- Address: 411 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로 411)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00pm ~ 2:00am; Saturday – Sunday: 5:00pm ~ 1:00am
Jimbba (짐빠 신당)
Also inside the Seoul Jungang Market in between the pork soup restaurants, you’ll find a spot that stands out for the high-quality traditional Korean alcohol. The name of the shop is a reference to the bicycles that were used by distilleries to delivery makgeolli, or Korean rice wine, in the 1980s and 1990s.
Though they don’t serve food, you can food from the other vendors in the market and then eat it with food from a nearby shop. On the flipside, you can also stop in to get some great traditional Korean alcohol and then drink it at any of the nearby restaurants. Check out the map for the Jimbba Sindang corkage and Jimbba Sindang kitchen options.
I’ve personally met the owners of Buja Gin and Tokki Soju and totally recommend trying them if you don’t know what to try first.
- Address: 15-10 Toegye-ro 87-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로87길 15-10)
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 6:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Things To Do
Find hidden art in Seoul Jungang Market (서울중앙시장)
Not as popular as Gwangjang Market or Tongin Market for tourists, it’s definitely more local but has some great eateries inside. If you live in the area, this is the place to go buy fresh vegetables, grains, and seafood. Traditional markets always have the best bargains for fresh produce, but there’s plenty of options for hungry passerby too.
A hidden surprise that you’ll find here if you’re paying attention is that unlike other traditional markets, this market has an underground space that is devoted to artists and creatives. The Seoul Art Space Sindang has 40 artists and designers who use the spaces for art exhibits, production, and classes.
- Address: 36 Toegye-ro 85-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로85길 36)
Get lost in Seoul Folk Flea Market (서울 풍물시장)
The Seoul Folk Flea Market is a two-story warehouse with over 900 vendors that first opened in the 1950s after the Korean War. You’ll actually start spotting the market goods before you enter though because it spills out into the streets in the surrounding area. The vendors are selling everything from rare antiques to alcohol and there’s a lot, and I mean A LOT, in between. There are old movie posters, paintings, old money, souvenirs, LPs, and clothes. The space can be a little claustrophobic but in that fun treasure hunt sort of way.
If you need a break, you don’t have to go far, on the second floor there is an old style “dabang”, or retro Korean coffee house. Order the “morning coffee” which is the 1970s style staple, a coffee drink served with an unbroken egg yolk.
- Address: 21 Cheonho-daero 4-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (서울시 동대문구 천호대로4길 21)
- Days: Closed the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
Stock up on accessories at NyuNyu (뉴뉴)
Want to find one of the best if not the best accessories store in Seoul? You NEED to find Nyunyu’s wholesale shop. But, don’t worry you don’t have to buy in bulk. There are THREE floors with walls and walls of accessories from rings to glasses, necklaces, bangles, watches, keychains, bags, socks, hair claws, hair bows, and even clothes. The prices are really reasonable and you’ll walk away with all of your favorite accessories.
- Address: 34 Majang-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 마장로 34)
- Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 5:00am
Did you like this post? Pin IT!
2 Comments
Jennifer Cartaino
Just a plug for this restaurant: 상관없지않나, located at: https://naver.me/5rZOHhk4 in that area. I have a friend who is Vegan, and as you know in Korea it is hard to find vegan options, but this restaurant advertised some vegan dishes. We got there during the ‘break time’ after lunch and before dinner, but the chef was so sweet and generous, she allowed us to dine anyway since we trekked all the way there for the vegan dishes. Highly recommend. My friend loved her vegan dish, and I enjoyed a charcuterie plate and wine.
Hallie Bradley
Thanks for the information Jennifer. There seem to be a lot of great spots there and great to hear you found one of them, especially for vegans.