Seogyo-dong café with parents, Nicaragua coffee: Naemyeonui Balgyeon

What is Naemyeonui Balgyeon, the Seogyo-dong café?

Naemyeonui Balgyeon (내면의 발견) is a café in Seogyo-dong at 53 Woldeukeopbuk-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and a good Hongdae date spot if you want quiet conversation. I loved the white exterior and the stone wall.

It's open Monday to Thursday 12:00–19:00 and Friday to Sunday 12:00–20:00.

It's also a seasonal, experience-style space that changes with each season.

What is Naemyeonui Balgyeon's Season 2, 'Swium', about?

This Season 2 has the theme word Swium (쉬움, "rest and sprout"), and it talks about the different forms of rest each of us has.

I was curious about the four ways to find your own little forest: Emptying, Filling, Pausing and Immersion. I think I'll try finding my own little forest through this distinctive café space, Naemyeonui Balgyeon.

For spring they had a cherry blossom signature drink too, and the blurb was so poetic. ^^

Everyone has a little forest inside their heart.

Even the path into the café felt special, like it had a Jeju Island mood. I walked in with a fluttering heart. It's a gallery-café kind of space, and I had a special experience while I was there.

I should find my own little forest, too.

The café takes the film Little Forest as its motif, so the film's OST played softly inside. If you love the mood of Little Forest, you'll definitely like this place.

What we ordered at Naemyeonui Balgyeon with my parents

With my parents I ordered a Forest Cloud (₩7,500), a filter coffee Americano (Nicaragua La Esperanza SL34 Natural Mystic) and a rose white tea (₩7,000). At the counter there was also an event for the launch of their drip bags.

There were signature drinks and a dessert menu too.

The mugs were elegant and refined too, and looked like they'd make a nice gift.

How are the Emptying, Filling, Pausing and Immersion spaces laid out by floor?

Naemyeonui Balgyeon is a big Hongdae café that runs from the ground floor to the rooftop. There are all kinds of seats arranged by concept (Emptying, Filling, Pausing and Immersion), so you can sit wherever suits you.

1st floor, Emptying: a forest with mist and a small waterfall

You have to let it out when you want to, or the poison builds up inside.

The Emptying space on the first floor has a little forest-like area inside the café, and it was lovely for healing!

A space with mist and a small waterfall! It felt dreamy. Across the stepping stones you reach a spot where

there was ajusimgi (transplanting a seedling to its final spot)! Transplanting so it can survive winter and root firmly.

A time to sprout through a small rest

I think everyone in their busy daily life needs a small rest like this. I thought that a short break is needed for the day you sprout again. ^^ It was also good for a quiet get-together.

2nd floor, Pausing, Filling and Immersion: a library and work desks

I came up to the second floor. A small room was the Pausing space, and another space was Filling.

I believe it's surely a more meaningful time than trying nothing at all.

The Immersion space had a library corner and desks good for working alone.

I took a seat in the Immersion space. ^^ Each seat has its own light, so it looked great for focused work.

Rooftop inner garden and restrooms

While waiting for my order I went up to the rooftop too. Following the path to the inner garden, I found an open-air rooftop garden.

The women's restroom is on the 1st floor and the men's on the 2nd, and the restrooms were special too, like another exhibition space.

How do the Forest Cloud, Nicaragua filter coffee and rose white tea taste?

I picked up the drinks we ordered. The plating was pretty and neat!

With a view of the Seogyo-dong street, it felt wonderfully open.

My parents, with their coffee and drinks, took a book from the library and read it. We had a relaxed time.

Signature Forest Cloud (7,500 won)

The signature Forest Cloud made my body and mind feel light and clear.

It had a rich yet light, fresh matcha flavor.

Filter coffee: Nicaragua La Esperanza SL34 Natural Mystic

This is the Nicaragua La Esperanza SL34 Natural Mystic filter coffee, recommended to me for its fresh flavor.

It was characterized by a gentle acidity, a complex sweetness and a special flavor.

Rose white tea (7,000 won)

The rose white tea had an elegant rose scent too, and was a lovely tea for healing.

Who is Naemyeonui Balgyeon best for?

I feel like I found my own little forest in Seogyo-dong. True to its name, Naemyeonui Balgyeon was a space where you can quietly heal and look inward. It was a special café with a message, showing the power a space can have.

I recommend Naemyeonui Balgyeon as a quiet Seogyo-dong café for solo work and healing. It's also a large Hongdae café I'd suggest to anyone wanting a calm get-together or date. ^^