Thin Cup, Seoul Cafes and Tables — Yeoksam Cup Logbook

Gyeongbokgung Station roastery café: thin-cream einspänner at Oldsse

Oldsse Seochon is a roastery café in a remodeled old hanok-style house in Seochon, Jongno, Seoul, near Gyeongbokgung Station. On an early weekend afternoon, I sat at an inner seat in front of the roastery room and ordered the lemon sorbet and the signature einspänner; Oldsse Seochon's einspänner has thin cream that is gently sweet rather than heavy. First-timers should order the einspänner, while anyone curious about a different kind of coffee should try the lemon sorbet.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Itaewon Korean restaurant lunch: sashimi with hallabong pickles, Modam

Modam Itaewon is a modern hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) restaurant on the ground floor of the Mondrian Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan, Seoul. From the weekday lunch sets, the writer chose the assorted seafood jang (soy-marinated seafood) set and the handmade tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patty) set, with starters such as mushroom gangjeong and seasonal sashimi with hallabong pickles, finishing with a perilla leaf lime sorbet. With a quiet, spacious hall, Modam Itaewon is a good pick for a special lunch or a business meeting.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Apgujeong Rodeo bar: misugaru makgeolli, boiled pork noodles, THE GIWA

THE GIWA Apgujeong Main Branch is a fusion Korean bar a five-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul, right at the start of the main street. On a Friday visit at 6:30pm every walk-in table was full, so a wait was needed, and the order was misugaru makgeolli (roasted grain rice wine), whole pork belly kimchi pancake and bossam kal-bibim noodles. THE GIWA Apgujeong Main Branch is worth it for good-value bar food and an unusual makgeolli.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored