Sindang-dong? You mean Hipdang-dong.
This foodie haven, fondly referred to as “Hip”dang-dong, is a fantastic place to experience authentic local food and nightlife.
During the day, the large market in Sindang-dong is filled with seniors who are getting their groceries the traditional way. But at night, it’s a different vibe. You’ll spot young people who appreciate the authenticity of the shops that have existed since the late 1970s, as well as the 60-year-old brick buildings that have been transformed into hip venues with a modern twist.
Koreans drink a lot, but they sustain that by eating a lot of anju (the food that you eat while drinking)! You certainly get the best of both worlds at these bars in Sindang-dong.
Growing up, I knew Sindang-dong for its famous tteokbokki spicy rice cake, created by legendary Granny Ma Bok-Lim in the 70s.
Today, it’s rife with new cafes, wine bars and of course many, many mouthwatering eateries and funky bars.
Let’s dive into the coolest bars in Sindang-dong that are a guaranteed good time!
Where is Sindang-dong?
Sindang-dong is a neighborhood in South Korea. A lot of Koreans colloquially refer to this area as Sindang Station, since it’s near the subway station that crosses both Line 2 and 6.
The Jungang Market area (meaning “central”) north of Sindang Station is bustling with pop-and-mom shops offering authentic Korean fare and alcohol. While Seoul Central Market was historically one of the largest traditional markets in Korea, with a huge grain and rice trade, it’s developed into a restaurant haven now that most people go to grocery stores or order online.
Flanking the southeastern corner of this neighborhood is Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town, where gochujang tteokbokki was created.
There’s more delicious food near the intersection near Chungmu Art Center, right west of Sindang Station. Near this area, by Exit 12 of Sindang Station, is ‘Hip’dang-dong Alleyway, where you’ll find former rice warehouses that have now been transformed into hip cafes and restaurants.
Then just south of Sindang Station is Baekhak Market, whose alleyways are teeming with tasty local restaurants.
West of Line 6 Sindang Station are a bunch of wholesale and retail clothing and garment businesses, influenced by the needs of nearby Dongdaemun Market.
A snippet of Sindang-dong’s history
The history of Sindang-dong is a fascinating one. During the Joseon Dynasty, there was a large public cemetery. This neighborhood gets its name from the many shrines (or sindangs) that existed, from which shamans consoled the mourning.
A slum consisting of mud huts also formed near the cemetery.
In order to make space for more Japanese during the colonial occupation, the cemetery was moved and the slum was destroyed.
The Best Bars in Sindang-dong
1. CMS
The DJ spins actual records at this hidden gem of a bar in the middle of Seoul Central Market. CMS always has the best music, ranging from Japanese city pop and jazz to hip hop.
This hole-in-the-wall is small and cozy. It’s unique, small-scale concepts like this that make drinking in Sinsa-dong unexpectedly fun.
CMS is known for their amazing highballs; the Earl Grey Highball (12,000 KRW, 9 USD) is your best shot for a caffeinated turn up. The Potato Salad (12,000 KRW, 9 USD) is a classic – this savory Japanese household staple comes with fluffy buns and strawberry jam for a sweet tang.
The venue is easy to miss, so be sure to look out for the sign that says “CMS Sound Bar!”
Address: 372-4 Hwanghak-dong, 2/F, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
2. Ipoh Fishcake (이포어묵)
Since 1989, Ipoh Fishcake has been warming the hearts of the Koreans who come through. It’s a Japanese-style odeng place, the kind of classic neighborhood restaurant and bar that’s harder to find in today’s trendy world.
Ipoh is a warm and woody nook that’s great for hibernating from hectic Seoul.
Before stepping into this mom-and-pop shop, you’ll need to pick from the array of fresh, homemade fishcakes. The Flying Fish Roe and the Crab Meat (대게살) are crowd favorites (4,000 KRW, 3 USD per pc).
Don’t forget to order the Grilled Whole Potatoes (5,000 KRW, 3.80 USD), which are doused in margarine in the good old-fashioned way.
There’s a variety of beers, sojus and sakes to pick from. I was feeling the refreshing, easy Cass Draft Beer (5,000 KRW, 3.80 USD).
This local favorite landed a big boost a couple years ago when the legendary singer Sung Si-kyung filmed an episode on his famous foodie show.
Address: South Korea, 104, 1st floor, 349 Hwanghak-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
3. Zoosindang (주신당)
From the outside, Zoosindang looks like a mysterious, raggedy shaman shrine, a nod to Sindang-dong’s cemetery past.
The cat statue perched on the discolored wooden ledge actually forms the door of this speakeasy cocktail bar, which is themed around the 12 zodiac animals. I love the nod to Sindang-dong’s past, and all the Korean heritage that’s inspired this colorful forest-like bar.
The menu lays out the flavor profile of each zodiac cocktail including the levels of alcohol, sourness, sweetness and texture.
Growing up, I was always sad that I was born in the year of the rat, instead of the year of the sheep like my parents and brother. Sheep just sounds so much better than a rat! 🥲
Is that why the Sheep Cocktail (16,000 KRW) was better than the Rat Cocktail? 🙈
Check out their signature Cat Statue Cake (13,000 KRW). I love all the Korean traditional ingredients in this cat-shaped cake, which is a black sesame cheesecake with sweet red bean inside. Slather on the apricot jam, it’s so good with the cake! It comes in a petite pottery jar on the side.
Expect a wait of 30 minutes or so. But while you’re in line, take a second to write your dearest wishes onto a bujuk, a piece of paper that brings good luck and protects you against the bad according to Buddhist and shamanistic tradition.
Address: 411 Toegye-ro, Seoul, South Korea
4. Dongchool Oden (동출오뎅)
On a cold winter day, there was nothing that could warm my body (and heart) like a stick of odeng, or fishcake, from my neighborhood street stall. The too salty, too hot broth was just exactly what I needed.
The Odeng Soup (15,000 KRW, 11 USD) at Dongchool was a welcome hug that made me think back to those days. The soup comes served on a hot pot on top of a little propane burner, which means that it stays hot the whole time.
The soup comes with one odeng skewer, and you can pick 5 additional oden pieces of your liking, plus any additional sides. I’d recommend the chewy squid ball and adding a side of udon noodles. I loved how satisfyingly drenched the fried tofu pocket became in the homemade odeng broth.
Pair the odeng with the Chicken Skewers (11,000 KRW, 8 USD) and the Japanese Suntori Highball (7,000 KRW, 5 USD) and you’ve just manifested a Korean-Japanese fusion izakaya experience.
The venue itself is humble, with exposed concrete and humble pleated curtains covering the window. But what Dongchool gets right is their food.
Address: 101, 12 Dasan-ro 42-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
5. Sulsul317 (술술317)
It’s really hard committing to buying food from any one place in Seoul Central Market. Mom wants to go here, your partner wants to go there… Your friend is craving beer but tonight’s a red wine kinda night for ya.
That’s where Sulsul 317 comes in – you bring the food, and Sulsul317 has got you covered with their sul (alcohol)!
From wine, whiskey, soju, sake to beer, Sulsul317 has got all the well-known alcohol labels you’ve been craving. The venue is rather simple but it’s the BYOF concept that has made this a hot-pul (Korean slag, short for “hot place”) in Sindang-dong right now.
You’ll get to mirror the authentic Korean MZ (Korean short-term for Millennials and Gen Z) experience: all about that food and getting tipsy for foodie’s sake!
Address: 1st floor, 35, Toegye-ro 85-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
6. Pung New (풍뉴)
Back in the Shilla Dynasty, the king hosted these parties where they’d float traditional wines along a man-made rock stream, and then whoever the drink stopped in front of had to make up a poem on the spot.
In the absence of social media, clearly people got creative!
In inspiration of that, Pung New floats strawberry makgeolli (rice wine) down a little stream in the middle of a rock table as a welcome drink. To experience the king life, be sure to book the Poseokjeong Bar Table ahead of time!
The Buckwheat Noodles with Perilla Leaves, Sesame Oil and Beef Brisket (20,000 KRW) was fantastic – the perilla leaves balanced the rich umami scent of the sesame oil very well. The Beef Tartare (30,000 KRW) was seasoned just right and just melts in your mouth.
In line with the Korean theme, Pung New offers a range of makgeolli (rice wine), traditional liquor and soju. The Pung New Plum Makgeolli (24,000 KRW, 18 USD) was super flavorful but it is quite sweet! If I went back, I would probably stick with a plain makgeolli.
Address: 10-3 Toegye-ro 70-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
7. P.lot (플롯)
P.lot is a classy Italian cocktail bar that’s a cafe during the day. It’s a great place for a wholesome date in a clean cut, more intimate venue.
Got decision fatigue? Get your Google Translate app ready because they’ve got a yes-or-no flow chart to help you find your perfect cocktail. I was feeling tired so went with the Dominicana (20,000 KRW, 15 USD), a rum and coffee cocktail with the perfect amount of sweet cream.
The Fried Meatballs (18,000 KRW) were super crunchy and disappeared in my mouth soon after they arrived.
During the day, P.lot is an espresso bar, and they fold open their long window patio doors in good weather.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jung District, Dasan-ro 46-gil 17, 107-108
8. Skunk Sindang (스컹크 신당)
Skunk is a punk bar with live gigs on the weekend.
Something not everyone knows is that Koreans know how to throw down and have a seriously good time. You can ride that energy by rocking with talented Korean artists at Skunk.
This grungy, underground bar is graffitied on the floor and machéd with posters all around.
What’s even better is that there’s no set cover charge for the shows, and they are all pay-as-you-wish / by donation.
Address: 140-30 Samhyeop Building, 1/F, Shindang-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
8 Best Bars in Sindang-dong (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best bars in Sindang-dong, one of the most hip neighborhoods among young Koreans these days. Here are the venues you can’t miss!
- CMS
- Ipoh Fishcake (이포어묵)
- Zoo Sindang (주신당)
- Dongchool Oden (동출오뎅)
- Sulsul317 (술술317)
- Pung New (풍뉴)
- P.lot (플롯)
- Skunk Sindang (스컹크 신당)
Thanks for checking out my guide on the best bars in Sindang-dong!
Leave a Reply