Hanok café in Gangneung with garden views and signature lattes: Cafe Giwa

I enjoyed coffee and dessert with a friend at Cafe Giwa (카페기와) in Chodang-dong, Gangneung. The original post introduced it as a 130-year-old hanok, and I especially remembered its garden and old-fashioned interior.

Is it near Chodang Sundubu Village, with parking?

Cafe Giwa is near Chodang Sundubu Village and close to Gangneung High School. It was described as about a 15-minute drive from Gangneung Station, Jungang Market, and the terminal, so it was in a convenient spot for a break during a trip.

Parking felt difficult in Chodang-dong, but I was able to park comfortably here thanks to the large dedicated parking lot. When driving, entering the address into navigation was convenient.

What are the garden and outdoor seats like?

The hanok was visible from a distance, so it was not hard to find. A green garden opened up when I arrived, and it was so well tended that I spent a while looking around outside. There were tables outdoors too, but we went inside.

What drinks and desserts can you choose?

The order counter is immediately visible when you enter. We ordered first, then looked around the interior while waiting for our drinks.

The dessert display had gâteau chocolat, mugwort injeolmi gâteau, green tea triangle cake, plain milk roll cake, and tiramisu roll cake. Even though I stopped by after a meal, the cakes caught my eye.

They also sold double chocolate cookies and cinnamon pecan cookies on one side.

Their handmade signature lattes included Giwa Black Latte, mung bean flower latte, and Pink Flower Latte, and there was also a range of hand-drip coffees.

There were also coffee, tea, ade, smoothies, and lattes. Red bean bingsu (shaved ice dessert) was available as a summer seasonal menu item. With so many drinks, it was easy to choose according to my taste.

Can you see the garden from indoors?

After ordering, I took the pager and looked around inside. The space was divided into two areas, with the restroom between them. Both had an antique atmosphere, and the objects placed throughout made it feel a little like browsing a vintage shop.

Soft lighting made the interior feel cozy, and the green garden was visible through the windows. I enjoyed sitting and looking out at the garden, or taking time to look at the objects one by one.

How were the lattes, tea, and dessert I tried?

When the pager went off, I picked up our drinks and dessert. We enjoyed Giwa Black Latte, Pink Flower Latte, homemade lemon ginger tea, and gâteau chocolat while looking out at the garden.

What does Giwa Black Latte taste like?

Giwa Black Latte is made with grain milk, espresso, and black sesame cream. My latte-loving friend chose it and finished it quickly, saying it had not only sweetness but also the nutty taste of black sesame.

Was the Pink Flower Latte very sweet?

Pink Flower Latte combines strawberry milk and Dutch coffee. Its pink color stood out, and to me it was smooth rather than overly sweet. Strawberry and coffee worked well together, too.

How were the homemade lemon ginger tea and gâteau chocolat?

The homemade lemon ginger tea was sweet and refreshing at first. What stayed with me was how the sharp ginger flavor came through toward the end.

The gâteau chocolat was dense yet smooth and moist. Its deep chocolate flavor went well with coffee.

After a meal near Chodang Sundubu Village, this was a nice place to enjoy coffee and dessert while looking at the garden. I especially remember the pleasure of looking around the objects in the hanok interior and the view outside the window.