College town chaos that somehow feels nostalgic when you're with me.
Why DAEHEUNG, why now
Visit Seoul is spotlighting Daeheung in 2026 as a neighborhood 'where hospitality becomes everyday life,' a quiet residential pocket between Hongdae and Yeouido developing its indie cafe and restaurant scene the way Yeonhui did a few years back.
1. Seoul Hotteok Sinchon
- Seoul, Mapo-gu, Sinchon-ro 20-gil, 6 1층
- 4.5 · 45 reviews · 디저트
The course opens at Seoul Hotteok Sinchon because the morning feels right when you start with something warm in your hand. It's a dessert stop that works for breakfast, the kind of place where you order at a kiosk and take out within minutes. This sets the tempo for the rest of the route: nothing loud, just enough to carry you forward.
Crew's note
You won't find this one on your map.
What visitors say
They have three flavours - original, red bean and mugwort. You order via the self service kiosk, pay by card or cash and then wait. They hav…
One of the best hotteok I've had in Seoul. And they know how to handle the mugwort flavour well by making it slightly salty. And it went soo…
2. Kutsu
- 25 Baekbeom-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- 4.5 · 39 reviews · 맛집
The course closes at Kutsu because a meal here feels like the end of something, not the middle. It's the kind of tonkatsu spot locals return to, simple menu, straightforward service, the last anchor before you leave the neighborhood. By the time you sit down here, you've already seen what Daeheung is.
Crew's note
You won't find this street on Instagram. That's why I bring you here.
What visitors say
Customer service was really good, the food was good.
I ordered the sirloin cutlet and the tenderloin cutlet. Both were delicious, but the tenderloin cutlet was definitely more tender. This is m…
The walk between
The stretch between them is residential, low shopfronts and narrow sidewalks, the kind of strip that's filling in with small restaurants and cafes the way Yeonhui did before it tipped. You'll pass windows that haven't opened yet.
- Start early if you want the hotteok counter quiet. The kiosk takes card or cash, and most people take out.
- Save the tonkatsu stop for lunch or early dinner. The portion is moderate, so pair it with the walk if you want the course to feel like a half-day, not just two stops.
FAQ
- How much should I budget for this course?
- The hotteok runs a few thousand won per piece, depending on the filling. The tonkatsu is in the 10,000 won range, which positions this route on the accessible end for a half-day in Seoul.
- Is this course walkable in any weather?
- Yes, the distance between stops is short and the neighborhood is flat. If it rains, the hotteok is easy to eat under an awning, and Kutsu has indoor seating.
Ask Jake
Seoul
