Korea 2023 15/16 : Cute Cafe at Yeonnam, Catching Sunset on Rooftop Hongdae

March 25, 2026

Korea 2023 15/16 : Cute Cafe at Yeonnam, Catching Sunset on Rooftop Hongdae

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

simple yet cute interior at Cafe Layered

Day 15 - Monday, May 8, 2023

I will move to another hostel today, it's still at Hongdae area, the reason why I booked another hostel for my last night in Seoul because I want to have free time at my room, because I will have to pack so many things that I bought in Seoul and if I stay at dormitory, it would be inconvenience for me to open my luggage. I also need me time free to do whatever I want to do in private room without need to be considerate to other people, lowing my voice down, or have to tiptoe in the room, so I was kinda having freedom in my room tonight. I packed my things already and ready to move, so I had breakfast at the guesthouse and then check out and going to another hotel and I will just put my bags there. I will stay at Hotel Baroato 2nd tonight, I booked the single room for KRW 58,000/night (Rp 666,726).

I went to Yeonnam area this time, there was this cafe that I want to try Greem Cafe, it looks interesting with sort of 2D interior. But too bad it was closed when I went there so I just look around that area and I found this cafe, Cafe Layered Yeonnam, I went inside and the interior was sooo cute, the cakes display was so tempting to try. I had a coffee with cakes, I felt like I want to order them all, it looks so tasty. Apparently there are so many cute cafes in this area that you may want to try and explore around.

I felt unwell this morning and found this drink, it helps!

the cafe was so cute that I took bunch of pictures there

After having my brunch, I went to Namdaemun to buy some souvenirs there. I was quite surprise for some unofficial merchandise the price was a little bit higher than the one in Myeongdong. Anyway I found this little shop that selling pleated bags and cute earrings, I bought one after bargaining, haha, I bought this bag for KRW 18,000 and cute earrings for KRW 5,000. Anyway you have to bring cash if you want to buy things at Namdaemun, I was shorted cash at that time so I searched the ATM and withdrawn cash from there. I don't remember which ATM, I just asked the shop owner where I want to buy souvenirs, and he told me where the ATM is.

Back again for the nth time to Myeongdong. Last time to buy things that I want to buy before going back to Jakarta tomorrow. I want to buy those Kpop merchandise or actors, so I went back to Myeongdong station, it just located underground nearby the escalator exit 1 if I'm not mistaken, then I also buy socks there, KRW 10,000 for 7 pcs now, the price already increasing compared to the last time KRW 10,000 for 10 or even 11 pcs. Anyway nearby the Myeongdong station, there is also Daiso, if I'm not mistaken there are 11 floors for this Daiso building, I didn't visit there until 11th floor, I think just the first two floors.

Yunho everywhere~

I went to Seongsu area just for a while since I would like to visit this local brand called Osoi, but apparently they were closed for that day so I went back to Hongdae for sightseeing for the last time, I was quite hungry at that time so I went to Shack Shack, bought a burger and french fries there (KRW 13,600), apparently the portion was quite big that I couldn't finish the fries. Here some shops that I visit around Hongdae, Topten, Artbox for cute accessories and I visited Musinsa Terrace, it's just so perfect to see sunset there, from the rooftop. Waiting the sunset with a cup of coffee (KRW 6,000).

I never thought how big the portion was

waiting for sunset there

nice view of Hongdae from here

Back to my hotel and since I can check in now, so I want to put my things inside my room. So the room was very comfortable, clean and pretty spacious, they have big mirror, toiletries etc. I love this hotel, it's just so perfect for me, too bad I only stayed here for 1 night. I will share some pictures of this hotel on my next blogpost.

I plan to buy some snacks from Korea so I headed out again to nearest mart, Lucky Supermarket to buy few things haha. My last dinner at Hongdae was this Bibimbab place that I found along the way KRW 7,000, the portion was quite big, I love Bibimbab but I don't know I don't really like this one, I felt bad couldn't finish this one, they gave some banchan and I felt bad since I couldn't finish everything. I heard there are coffee that quite famous lately in Korea, I tried that Compose Coffee just before they closed the store. I guess I was the last guest on that night, KRW 2,900. Then back to my hotel and ohh noo I should pack everything.

my last dinner, Bibimbab

let's pack all of this

BATWO STAY HONGDAE GUESTHOUSE

Anyway here the preview of my guesthouse at Hongdae. I stayed at Batwo Stay Hongdae (1xBed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room) for 2 nights (Rp 588,776). They provide free breakfast and one of the best part, they also provide washing machine & dry machine for free. The owner was very kind, there is lounge and most people hang out there including the owner. They also have some kind of activity on certain day. The room was pretty spacious enough to put my belongings. No elevators so you need to take stairs to go upstairs, my room was on the 2nd floor.