Quiet Hapjeong café, Panama natural drip: Naemyeonui Balgyeon

I somehow ended up café-hopping three times in one day, so it was a pretty frantic one. Still, when I want to wind down calmly near Hongdae or Hapjeong, this is the place that comes to mind first: Naemyeonui Balgyeon (내면의 발견), already getting a name as a quiet café in Hapjeong.

I first visited last summer, and I've come back every time my mind feels cluttered. On weekdays it's much quieter and more relaxed than on weekends, so it's perfect for reading or just sitting with your thoughts!!

Where is Naemyeonui Balgyeon and how do you get there?

Naemyeonui Balgyeon sits in an alley in Seogyo-dong, right about halfway between Hongik Univ. Station and Hapjeong Station. If you take the bus, get off at the 'Seogyo-dong' stop and walk about 4 minutes along a pretty alley, and you'll spot it soon enough.

This neighborhood is just off the noisy main roads, so it's easy to reach but still peaceful, which is why I end up around here a lot! Walking from the subway station works too.

Maybe because summer is coming, the green trees were so lush. You really only feel the quiet, calm charm of Seoul by slipping into the hidden alleys of Seogyo-dong rather than staying on the main roads of Hongdae or Hapjeong.

And after that walk, we've arrived at Naemyeonui Balgyeon!

Inside Naemyeonui Balgyeon: atmosphere and seating

The café has two floors, and the moment you open the door you're almost overwhelmed by its calm atmosphere. You know how you usually have to drive out to the edge of Seoul to find a big café with this kind of mood, right.. but you can find it in Seogyo-dong!

As the name suggests, the space itself seems to tell you to reflect here and get to know yourself.

Cross the stepping stones and you'll reach the ordering counter.

Best seats for working in Seogyo-dong: the left side of the 2nd floor

Head up to the 2nd floor and there's an even quieter space on the left. Lots of people use it for laptop work, studying and personal projects, so it's a popular seat.. perfect if you're looking for a café in Seogyo-dong to work in!

Still, I picked a spot on the first floor, where you can hear a bit of conversation.

What I ordered at Naemyeonui Balgyeon: drip coffee and Basque cheese brûlée

It was busy that day and the ordering line was pretty long. So sadly I couldn't photograph the whole menu, but let me introduce what I agonized over and ordered!

• Drip coffee (Panama Agricola Manuel Edition natural)
• Basque cheese brûlée

How does the Panama Agricola Manuel Edition natural drip coffee taste?

The Panama Agricola Manuel Edition natural drip coffee was an acidic coffee: berry aromas like blueberry and raspberry and sweetness come first, and a bittersweet chocolate flavor lingers at the end. I'm no expert on coffee beans, but I was told these beans come from the Agricola farm run by Manuel, a very famous coffee master in Panama, so I gave them a try!

As a hand-drip café in Seogyo-dong, the lineup is great. There were a huge number of other drip coffees too, and I asked the staff to recommend something with good acidity!

I usually prefer clean, acidic beans, and this drip coffee delivers fresh berry notes like blueberry and raspberry with a pleasant sweetness first, then bittersweet chocolate at the end! I think it would be refreshing iced too. The portion was quite generous, so I could enjoy it for a long time.

Naemyeonui Balgyeon's signature dessert: Basque cheese brûlée

The Basque cheese brûlée is a Basque cheesecake with sugar sprinkled on top and melted with a torch. It's the signature dessert I absolutely order every time I come to Naemyeonui Balgyeon! And here it comes, the Basque cheese brûlée!

It's the Basque cheesecake you know, with sugar sprinkled on top and torched like a crème brûlée. You crack it with a fork, and the crispy texture and sweetness come together with a creamy inside that melts away, so happiness fills your whole mouth.. Maybe it's because I love crème brûlée so much, but it tastes great to me anytime.

Naemyeonui Balgyeon for a quiet rest in Hapjeong and Seogyo-dong

The music playing is quiet, and everyone who comes stays calmly, so at some point Naemyeonui Balgyeon became one of my precious Seogyo-dong hideouts~

There are plenty of hip, flashy cafés near Hongdae and Hapjeong, but a space where you can truly focus on rest and conversation is rare. If you want a different kind of healing atmosphere, I hope you'll visit at least once!