Dongdaemun Karrot Hostel

Dongdaemun Karrot Hostel Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Dongdaemun Karrot Hostel, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place in this part of Seoul. But you know what? Sometimes the unassuming spots end up being the real gems, and this little hostel actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The whole vibe here is refreshingly unpretentious – think clean lines, bright orange accents (hence the carrot theme, I’m guessing), and that kind of minimalist Korean aesthetic that just works. The common areas have this buzzy energy where you’ll find backpackers planning their next temple visit mixed with solo travelers who’ve just discovered the night markets. I mean, being right in Dongdaemun puts you smack in the middle of some serious shopping chaos, but in a good way. You’re literally walking distance from those massive 24-hour shopping complexes, and honestly, there’s something pretty addictive about wandering through floors of wholesale fashion at 2 AM when jet lag has you wide awake anyway. The staff here gets it too – they’re used to guests keeping odd hours and coming back with armfuls of random purchases.

What really sold me on this place though was the practical stuff that matters when you’re actually living somewhere for a few days. The beds are surprisingly comfortable (not always a given in hostels, let’s be real), and they’ve got these individual reading lights and power outlets that actually work – small things, but crucial when you’re trying to charge three devices and plan tomorrow’s itinerary without bothering your bunkmate. The bathrooms stay clean, which is honestly impressive given the turnover, and the water pressure is solid. I also loved that the neighborhood gives you this authentic Seoul experience without feeling touristy – you’ll hear the sounds of real city life, vendors calling out in Korean, the occasional motorcycle delivery zipping by. It’s not silent, but it’s not obnoxiously loud either. Plus, getting to other parts of the city is actually pretty straightforward from here – the subway connections aren’t too complicated once you figure out the system. The 8.5 rating makes total sense to me because while this isn’t luxury by any stretch, it delivers exactly what it promises with a bit of personality thrown in. If you’re the type who wants to experience Seoul’s energy rather than hide from it in some sterile hotel bubble, this carrot-themed little spot might just be your perfect home base.

Dongdaemun Karrot Hostel Accommodations

Reviews of Dongdaemun Karrot Hostel

• Kirsten from Canada (9/10)

  I liked the size of the room, the owner (super nice and friendly, great English) and the location (lovely, authentic, not touristy).

• Missy from Netherlands (9/10)

  Recently opened hostel in what looks a shady alley but as a woman it didn't feel unsafe at all.
  Owner was very friendly & hospitable and speaks English. He was also asking for feedback on improvements.
  Room was fine: basic and simple.
  You can wash and dry your clothes for free.
  It's in between subway stations Jongno5ga & Dongdaemun (where you can shop til 05:00). The famous Gwangjang market is also nearby.

• Margaux from France (8/10)

  Recently renovated nice rooms

• Rotem from Israel (8/10)

  The staff was nice, the decoration is comfortable

• Cecile from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Overall a solid 8 for this hostel that could almost be a hotel.
  What I really liked:
  – the beds were hard, korean style, but new enough to still have a bit of give
  – there were inside shutters so it was dark in the morning for a good sleeping-in
  – the air-con was also new, so very efficient AND very quiet.
  – the bedding was Western style, with sheets and quilts (though not needed in summer), not the heavy fabric traditionally used for Korean bedding.
  So with the 4 things above I slept really well.
  
  Other details to note that are delightfully unusual for a hostel:
  – the room and the bathroom were both a very decent size (bathroom is a wet room, very common in Korea, hence the bathroom slippers)
  – hot and cold water dispenser on each floor
  – hair dryer and mini fridge in the bedroom (though mini fridge not super functional as freezes what is near the top, plus if you take the key fob with you during the day, the electricity stops. Still, you can work around that)
  
  And on top of that, the owner of this new hostel is very responsive to any problem and he speaks English.

• Suryana from Malaysia (8/10)

  We had a good stay but there is a bit of issue with one of the rooms we have booked. But thankfully, the owner is so considerate and very helpful to assist us. We appreciate his kind gesture and efforts in solving the issue. They provide a really good services.

• Richard from United States (3/10)

  The general location was OK because of its proximity to many attractions, although the specific location on a back alley left much to be desired. The gentleman who staffed the property was kind and helpful. The beds were reasonably comfortable.

• Ivy from Australia (6/10)

  Location is good.

• 廖 from Taiwan (7/10)

  1. 距離機場巴士接送以及市場都非常的近
  2. 整體而言還算乾淨且設備齊全，每日可自行到一樓去取換毛巾、拿新的垃圾袋。房間內有洗面乳等洗浴備品與吹風機、電視、冷氣等。
  3. 房間內設有多個插座，儘管有2個插座不能使用，但過程中老闆態度很好積極處理，除了英文之外也可以使用中文溝通

• Zhong from China (9/10)

Surroundings

Facilities