Hello Kitty Cafe & Osulloc Tea House Hongdae, Seoul

The bustling Hongik University ( thus, "Hongdae") shopping street is just a stone's throw away from the Incheon Int'l Airport, made possible through the direct non-stop interconnected Airport Express (AREX) Train.

Oh to be young and carefree! Haha! It's a shopping heaven for university students and the like. I seriously wished I had the privilege to study here. 

Each stall has its own quirky products and eye-catching display of Korean street food. This is the famed fish shaped waffles filled with red bean paste ( or custard cream ) served with yogurt ice cream topped off with chocolate syrup and crunchy flakes. 

Deliberately scouted the streets to find the Hello Kitty Cafe. Had a hard time locating it since it has moved to a new and bigger location and thus older blogs aren't accurate anymore. Had to ask the locals for directions. Koreans are generally helpful and would even search the address for you using their mobile phones. 

Choose from delectable meals waffles, breads, salads, hotdogs and too-pretty-to-eat desserts Hello Kitty Strawberry Mousse, Rare Cheese Cake, Tiramisu.

Expect to shell out 10,000ish krw for each item. Guzzle down with ze purrfect Cafe lattes and Caramel Macchiatos. 

The trip to the cafe also warrants a visit to the Gift Shop for all the lovely feline merchandise. 

Hongdae's branch operating hours 0930H-2230H

It was a midnight weekend and the University shopping street was packed with students. The city never sleeps! I concluded that koreans have this certain fondness for quaint and cute little cafes and shops found on the alley nooks.

Give yourself atleast an hour to browse, since the racks seem to go on forever.

Woof! Look! This doggie is guarding a pink cotton candy cart.

Isn't Hongdae the coolest and cutest area in Seoul? Each store has its own trick on its sleeves to promote their products. Very ingenious!

Not to miss is Osulloc Tea House. A dessert themed cafe that specializes in the authentic taste of traditional Jeju Tea, with green tea as the main ingredient.

The King O'Fredo with all the works! Matcha smoothie with matcha ice cream, whipped cream, matcha pound cake, sweet caramel cracker and red bean paste.

Guests can take home a little slice of Jeju Tea with them. Osulloc guides visitors into the world of tea drinking to balance both mind and body. Yummiest flavors abound!