A Hongdae Shopping Course for Art, Stationery & Scent Lovers
Hongdae isn’t just about cafés. If you love art supplies, stationery, or fragrance, you can easily fill a half-day here with a shopping course that flows from art store to stationery shop to coffee break to perfumery.
This time, I’m sharing a Hongdae “sensibility walk” that connects an art supply store, a stationery shop, a café, and a fragrance store.
Fill Your Creative Cravings at Homi Art Supplies
The first stop in Hongdae has to be Homi Art Supplies (호미화방).
For over 50 years, this has been the go-to art store in front of Hongdae, familiar not only to art students but also to anyone who paints as a hobby. You’ll find a huge range of domestic and international art materials all in one place — paints, brushes, paper, and canvases, along with more specialized tools for professionals.
Located right in front of Hongik University, known for its fine arts programs, Homi is still a favorite stop for many artists today.
Even if you’re not into art yourself, it’s worth a wander just for the visual pleasure of it all — rows of colorful pencils, paints, pretty sketchbooks, and fountain pens make for a genuinely fun browse.
These days, it seems like plenty of international visitors are discovering the shop too.
Stationery & Small Goods Shopping at Object
Next, head over to Object (오브젝트), a curated stationery and lifestyle shop full of personality.
Inside you’ll find notebooks, stickers, postcards, keyrings, and all kinds of charming everyday objects. The shop regularly features goods from Korean independent artists and seasonal pop-ups, so there’s always something new to discover.
If you love stationery, you’ll easily lose track of time browsing here — it’s also a great spot to pick up small gifts or travel souvenirs.
Take a Coffee Break
After all that browsing, your legs might start to ache and you’ll probably want something to drink. For a coffee break, I recommend either Malic or Hopp.
Both are quiet, comfortable spaces — perfect for sitting down with your coffee and flipping through the stationery or book you just picked up. They’re a great way to step away from Hongdae’s busy streets and enjoy a little downtown calm.
Take Home a Scent at Granhand
The last stop is Granhand (그랑핸드).
Granhand is a fragrance brand where you can try perfumes, hand creams, diffusers, and more in person before choosing. Since a single scent can change the mood of your whole day, it’s fun to take your time smelling through the lineup and finding the one that suits you.
It’s also a popular gifting spot, which makes it a fitting final stop for this course.
Personally, I love their Marine Orchid hand cream — cool and refreshing, with a subtle scent that lingers, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a favorite.
The Hongdae Sensibility Shopping Course
Homi Art Supplies → Object → Coffee (Malic or Hopp)→ Granhand
Whether you love painting, stationery, or fragrance, this course has something for you. Add in a relaxing coffee break, and the day feels even richer. It’s a great way to slow down and shop for things that match your taste while wandering through Hongdae — even if you don’t follow this exact order, it’s worth visiting these spots at least once.
Practical Info
Homi Art Supplies
1F–2F, Seogyo Plaza, 20 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: 09:00–21:00 (Weekends & holidays 10:00–20:00)
Object Seogyo
13 Wausan-ro 35-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00, open year-round
Malic Coffee
Basement level, 20 Wausan-ro 29-bagil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Weekdays 9:00–21:00 / Weekends 12:00–21:00 (Last order 20:20)
Hopp
B1–1F, 1 Wausan-ro 37-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 10:00–21:00
Granhand Mapo
9 Wausan-ro 37-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 13:00–22:00
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