The Trendy Market Street

Mangwon-ro cuts through Mangwon-dong in Mapo-gu, a neighborhood that perfectly encapsulates Seoul's current obsession with retro-gentrification and neighborhood revival.

The name traces back to Mangwonjeong (Pavilion of Far Views), built along the nearby Han River by Grand Prince Hyoryeong, the older brother of King Sejong. During the Joseon Dynasty, royals and aristocrats would gather here to compose poetry, enjoy the river breezes, and observe naval drills.

For most of modern history, however, Mangwon-dong was a working-class residential area, vulnerable to summer floods before the riverbanks were fortified. Its transformation began in the mid-2010s. Driven out by skyrocketing commercial rents in nearby Hongdae and Hapjeong, young chefs, baristas, and indie designers crossed into Mangwon-dong, opening small, highly curated shops in converted red-brick villas and old garages. The area was dubbed 'Mangnidan-gil' and became a magnet for the city's hipsters.

What makes Mangwon-ro unqiue is its anchor: Mangwon Market. Unlike many gentrified areas that push out old vendors, the traditional market has flourished alongside the new businesses. Today, a typical weekend itinerary involves buying artisanal coffee and indie magazines, then joining the queue at the market for famous sweet-and-sour chicken (dakgangjeong) and handmade croquettes, before taking it all to the Mangwon Hangang Park for a riverside picnic.