Travel tips
Before or after your appointment: things to do near Gongdeok Station
Gongdeok Market's jokbal and jeon alleys, Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Hongdae and the Han River at Yeouido: easy plans for the hours around a dental visit in Mapo-gu.
By Dr. Kang Jun-guMedically reviewed by Dr. Kang Jun-guPublished Updated 4 min read
Quick answer
Gongdeok Station is a good base for a half-day in Mapo-gu. Gongdeok Market, known for its jokbal and jeon alleys, is a short walk away, and Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a walking path built on an old railway, runs from the area towards Yeonnam-dong. Hongdae is one stop away on AREX and Yeouido Hangang Park two stops on Line 5. If you've just had whitening or a filling, choose light-coloured, mild food for the rest of the day.
Within walking distance
- Gongdeok Market: a local market with a well-known jokbal (braised pork trotter) alley and stalls frying jeon (savoury pancakes)
- Gyeongui Line Forest Park: a long, leafy walking path on a former railway line, heading towards Yeonnam-dong
- Mapo's pork galbi restaurants, a classic local dinner
One or two stops away
- Hongik University (Hongdae): one stop on AREX, for shopping, cafés and street performances
- Yeouido Hangang Park: two stops on Line 5 to Yeouinaru, with river views, bike rental and riverside convenience stores
- Seoul Station: one stop on AREX the other way, for KTX trains and the old station building
Eating after dental treatment
- After whitening (48 hours): skip jokbal sauce, tteokbokki, kimchi stew, coffee and red wine; try seolleongtang, samgyetang or plain grilled meat instead
- After a filling or bonding: wait until the numbness wears off before eating, usually one to two hours
- After scaling: avoid very hot or very cold food if your teeth feel sensitive
A sample half-day
Morning check-up and scaling, then a walk along Gyeongui Line Forest Park and lunch near Gongdeok Market. In the afternoon, take Line 5 two stops to Yeouinaru for the Han River, and finish with dinner back in Mapo.
Questions people also ask
What is Gongdeok Market known for?
Its jokbal alley and jeon stalls, popular with locals for an easy, inexpensive meal.
How far is Hongdae from Gongdeok?
One stop on the AREX line, a few minutes' ride.
Where can I leave luggage near Gongdeok Station?
Many Seoul subway stations have coin lockers and app-based lockers. Availability changes, so check at the station when you arrive.
Need this looked at in Seoul?
Check-ups, scaling and whitening, with fees shown before we start.
Dr. Kang is a board-certified Integrated Dentistry specialist trained at Yonsei, Harvard and Columbia. He treats every patient at the Gongdeok clinic himself.
About Dr. KangHow we write these guides: each guide is written from questions our patients ask, reviewed by Dr. Kang, and updated when guidance changes. It is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, please book a check-up.
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