Gyodae Station roastery café: cold brew latte & salt bread, Coffee829

My schedule has been packed lately, and I was feeling a little worn out in body and mind. Out of nowhere I was desperate for a really good cup of coffee to clear my head. I'm a bit picky about coffee, so I wanted a place that properly roasts and brews its own beans.

I had an appointment near Gyodae Station, and on my way there I got pulled in by the nutty smell of roasting and ended up at Coffee829 Seocho, a café near Gyodae Station.

Coffee829 Seocho location and visitor info

Coffee829 Seocho is a two-floor café just a short way into the alley from Seocho Station or Gyodae Station. It's open daily, and there's no dedicated parking lot, so they recommend public transport.

• Name: Coffee829 Seocho
• Hours: open daily
• Parking: no dedicated lot (public transport recommended)
• Seating: 1st and 2nd floors (the 2nd floor is a no-kids zone for safety)
• Other: venue rental available (up to 30 people on the 1st floor, 12 in the 2nd-floor room), receipt review event running

The way in was easy: just step a little way into the alley and you'll see it. The exterior has blue typography accents and looks modern and stylish, so it stands out right away even from a distance.

What's the atmosphere at Coffee829 Seocho like?

The 1st floor has a high, open-ceiling layout that feels really airy, with a modern white-and-wood interior and generously spaced tables. The moment I opened the door, the rich, nutty smell of coffee filled the whole space, and it instantly put me in a good mood.

Everything blends together neatly and nothing feels cramped. I also spotted the stairs up to the 2nd floor, which is run as a no-kids zone for safety because of the risk of falling.

It felt like a great spot for anyone coming alone to read quietly or work on a laptop.

What beans does Coffee829 Seocho offer?

At Coffee829 Seocho you can choose from three beans: Blue Moon Blend, Red Moon Blend and decaf. When I went up to the counter to order, I found no fewer than three bean types ready to choose from.

Inside Coffee829 Seocho there's a big roasting room where they roast on site. Hearing that the owner personally roasts the beans, I could really feel the expertise and sincerity behind the coffee. The characteristics of each bean were also kindly explained.

• Blue Moon Blend: rich, nutty dark chocolate flavor
• Red Moon Blend: bright, fresh fruit aroma with moderate acidity
• Decaf: a comfortable bean to enjoy without worrying about caffeine

I was so happy to be able to pick whichever suited my taste out of the three.

How were the cold brew latte and the freshly baked bread?

This time at Coffee829 Seocho I had a cold brew latte with salt bread, butter tteok (butter rice cake) and a chocolate brownie, all baked in-store. I was craving a clean, deep, smooth milky taste, so I went with the cold brew latte.

The dessert case was full of prettily packaged breads baked in-store, and I just couldn't walk past. I went all in: salt bread with its wafting butter aroma, butter tteok that looked soft just from looking at it, and a chewy-looking chocolate brownie. The drink and desserts came neatly together on a tray, and the look of it won me over right away.

Cold brew latte

I took a sip of the cold brew latte and it was honestly so smooth, with no bitterness at all. Maybe because the cold brew concentrate is cleanly extracted in the store, the nuttiness of the milk and the deep flavor of the beans blended perfectly. It wasn't too sweet and finished clean, so I kept marveling the whole time I drank it.

Salt bread, butter tteok and chocolate brownie

The salt bread was lightly crisp outside and still moist inside, and the salty bite with the richness of butter filled my whole mouth.

The butter tteok was crisp outside and chewy inside, a unique, addictive texture that made it a real treat.

The chocolate brownie wasn't just sweet either; a rich cacao aroma lingered, and it paired perfectly with the coffee.

Tips before visiting Coffee829 Seocho

At the time of my visit, Coffee829 Seocho was running a Naver receipt review event, and venue rental is available for up to 30 people on the 1st floor and 12 in the 2nd-floor room. There was a notice about the receipt review event posted on one wall of the store.

After buying a drink, take your receipt, write a quick review on My Place and show it, and you can get a free americano. It's a nice perk, so don't forget to grab it.

I also heard Coffee829 Seocho is popular for group gatherings and rentals because the space is roomy and pleasant. With up to 30 people on the 1st floor and 12 in the 2nd-floor room, it's worth keeping in mind if you're looking for a place for a small gathering or meeting.

Beyond coffee, the menu is packed with misugaru (roasted grain drink), handmade ades, fresh fruit juice and fruit teas, so it's a fine place to bring friends who don't drink coffee.

Final thoughts on Coffee829 Seocho, a café near Gyodae Station

At Coffee829 Seocho I could taste the beans' own deep flavor and aroma, and one cup of coffee melted away the day's tiredness. Thanks to the cozy space, the carefully made desserts and above all the wonderful latte, I think this will be the first place I think of whenever I'm in this neighborhood.

If you want to taste proper coffee flavor, I hope you'll stop by Coffee829 Seocho, a café near Gyodae Station, and enjoy a relaxing break.