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There is a forest that passes straight through the city in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. This forest is called the Gyeongui Line Forest, also known as “Yeontral Park” for its similarity to New York’s Central Park. Although it was once an abandoned railroad track and considered a nuisance, it is now a new hot spot in Seoul and a rest area for residents with popular restaurants and various things to see nearby.
Gyeongui Line Book Street – Gyeongui Line Forest Park – Yeonnam Salon – Dongnam Bangatgan
The Gyeongui Line Book Street that sits near exit 6 of the Hongik Univ. Station (Gyeongui Line) is a cultural literary space that exhibits the past, present, and future of books. It opened in October 2016, receiving 110,000 visitors so far, and spotlighted as a rising hot spot in Hongdae. The Book Street connects exit 6 of Hongik Univ. Station to Waugyo Bridge, and bookstores run by publishing companies are lined up like train compartments. The train booths welcome visitors under the concepts of a literature walk, humanities walk, culture walk, children’s walk, travel walk, and more. Book exhibitions, sales, and signings are often held along the Book Street. This is the perfect place to cool off and relax during a strolling the city.
The rusty railroad tracks that made the neighborhood appear to be in ruins and the construction wall that blocked views of the park for a long time were removed and replaced with green grass and trees. The area near Hongik University then began to be called, “Yeontral Park” alluding to New York’s Central Park, and started to become a charming place of rest and hanging out for both residents and visitors.
The area around the park is lined with artists’ shops. There are more small cafes and trendy shops in Yeonnam-dong than large franchises, which add to the fun of discovering tasty restaurants amid the deep alleyways. When the sun sets and night comes around, people sit around the Gyeongui Line Forest Park to enjoy beer and busking performances as another way of appreciating Yeonnam-dong.
Throughout the cozy space of this homely coffee shop in Yeonnam-dong are small props and bundles of comic books that remind customers of a comic book store. The desks and bookshelves in the shop make the dessert café look like a neighborhood library. It may be difficult for a large group to visit the café due to its small size.
In the summer, milk ice is used to make the light and savory “Assam Milk Tea Bingsu (shaved ice)” and the strong matcha-flavored “Matcha Pudding.” These popular menu items are so popular that they tend to sell out by early evening. The café also offers toast, soup, baked rice cakes, and plenty of other desserts. The café sells cocktails and beer in addition to coffee, making it the perfect destination for a day drink on a date.
Before Yeonnam-dong became the new hot spot, a small and run-down mill was recreated into a vintage and mysterious space. The old Korean sign of the cheese and wine bar is charming with well-matching vintage furniture and decorations. The wine bar has a “new-tro” vintage atmosphere similar to that of Eulji-ro, another place that has recently become popular in Seoul, while maintaining the classic touch of Yeonnam-dong. Their main menu items are introduced periodically with recommendations of cheese and wine pairings. There is a variety of cheese types with wine that complements the flavors, and customers should remember that wine is only sold here by the bottle. A second branch opened in Dosan Park in Apgujeong following its quick leap to popularity in the recent years.
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