Hannam, Seoul
Hannam is one of the most affluent areas of Seoul
It’s a hub for fashion and the latest trends
Many visit for shopping and to check out hip cafes
Hannam-dong, or Hannam for short, is one of Seoul’s most desirable neighborhoods. Located next to Itaewon, it’s an area that’s at Korea’s forefront of fashion and trends, attracting celebrities, the hip, and tourists in the know.
It’s a part of Seoul that I vibed with from the moment I got there.
How to get there
The closest station is Hangangjin Station, and it’s accessible on Seoul Subway Line 6. However, my recommendation is to get off at Itaewon Station, which is the neighboring station on the same line. The reason is that the main Hannam area is on a hill. If you come out of Exit 3, you can walk mostly downhill along the main Itaewon-ro street towards Hannam, and you’ll find some shops along the way.
About Hannam
It is said that Hannam-dong is one of the wealthiest parts of Seoul. As a tourist, I sensed it here and there but it wasn’t completely obvious as I didn’t feel engulfed in high-end luxury. What was easy to see, however, was that Hannam is one of Seoul’s key hubs for fashion and trends.
The main part of Hannam is on a steep hill. At the top, you’ll find designer brands, artistic spaces, and indoor/outdoor cafes. Make your way down to the smaller streets and you’ll come across boutiques, little coffee shops, wine bars, and more.
Hannam is a place that I didn’t visit during my first few trips to Seoul. I finally got to it on my fifth trip to the city in 2025. Judging from the crowd while I was there, it’s likely that most tourists don’t get to it either, particularly Western ones. While there were some Asian tourists, the majority of people shopping and enjoying their time with friends and partners were Korean.
The vibe in Hannam is an interesting one. It’s young and hip, but slightly refined. There are high-end flagships, pop-up shops, and cafes scattered around the neighborhood. Some buildings are artistically-designed and modern while others seem to have been untouched for decades. If I were to compare it to a neighborhood in Tokyo, the most similar ones I can think of would be Daikanyama or Nakameguro.
What’s clear is that if you’re looking for one of the hippest areas in Seoul that has not been run over with tourists, Hannam should be one of the top spots to consider.
If you’d like to see more of the area, here’s a video of the first time I visited (start at 10:13):
Where to eat
Old Ferry Donut
Navigating the small streets and heading up and down hills in Hannam calls for a cafe stop. There are many to choose from but Old Ferry Donut is a nice choice if you’re in the mood for a good donut.
They have an assortment to choose from in both regular and mini sizes, and choose a coffee to go along with it. We got a butter pistachio one. It was on the sweet side but nice overall with a chewy texture, sugar and nuts glaze on top with a pistachio-flavored cream inside.
There are seats inside, but the building it’s in has stools outside in case you want to just sit for a bit and people-watch as you enjoy your snack.
https://brand.naver.com/oldferrydonut/ [K]
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As one of Seoul’s most desirable neighborhoods, Hannam is at Korea’s forefront of fashion and trends.