Cheonggyecheon café where Today Coffee sells out by 3pm: Center Coffee
In short
Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a specialty coffee shop on the basement level of SFC Mall in Jung-gu, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station and close to Cheonggyecheon. Today Coffee, poured only until 3pm, had already sold out, so the order was an Americano at 5,400 won and an Earl Grey lemon tart at 10,200 won — a rich coffee with gentle acidity and a thick tart filled with lemon custard. Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is quiet and roomy enough for laptop work alone or a table of friends.
Good to know
- Address
- 136 Sejong-daero, B1 Unit 105, Jung-gu, Seoul (SFC Mall, basement level 1)
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 07:30–21:00 / Sat–Sun 11:00–21:00
- Location
- 3-minute walk from Exit 5, Gwanghwamun Station, near Cheonggyecheon
- Parking
- SFC Mall car park: first 90 minutes free, then 1,000 won per 10 minutes, up to 30,000 won (ask staff to register your car)
- Americano
- 5,400 won
- Earl Grey lemon tart
- 10,200 won
- Today Coffee
- Served only until 3pm
- Drip bag gift set
- Buy the 30-pack and receive a norigae (traditional tassel) charm; choose signature or decaf
- Price reference
- ₩5,400 ≈ $3.9 · ₩10,200 ≈ $7.4 (2026-09-22)
as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026
Center Coffee Gwanghwamun
I found this coffee spot near Gwanghwamun and ended up staying way longer than planned because the vibe was so nice haha. If you're into coffee, you'll love this place — they roast great beans and have a bunch of drip bags too. Here's my review of Center Coffee Gwanghwamun!
Center Coffee Gwanghwamun: location, hours and parking
- Address: 136 Sejong-daero, B1 105-ho, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: Mon–Fri 07:30–21:00 / Sat–Sun 11:00–21:00
- Parking available (must request parking registration in-store) — SFC Mall parking, first 90 minutes free, then ₩1,000 per 10 minutes, up to ₩30,000
Center Coffee Gwanghwamun sits in the basement level of SFC Mall. It's a 3-minute walk from Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station, and close to Cheonggyecheon too. With the weather this nice lately, getting your drink to go and taking a 🚶♀️ walk along the stream sounds pretty great!
Is Center Coffee Gwanghwamun quiet enough for laptop work or a group?
The whole place has a soft, quiet atmosphere that's perfect for laptop work or going solo. The space is also spacious enough to fit a group comfortably.
A spot with 8 consecutive years of Blue Ribbon recognition is one you can trust 🤗
Today Coffee stops at 3pm, so an Americano it was
Whenever I go to a café I stand in front of the menu agonizing, then end up ordering an iced Americano anyway lol. This time I thought the Today Coffee sounded good and tried to order it, but it was already sold out 😭 That one's only available until 3pm, so I'll have to come earlier next time!
Americano ₩5,400, Earl Grey lemon tart ₩10,200. That's what I ordered. And yep, iced Americano it was, again 🤭
I could tell right away this place is legit for coffee — one sip and it's nutty and delicious ❗️
☕️ The coffee was rich with a hint of acidity. Nice body plus that touch of brightness made for a really full-flavored cup!
What the 10,200-won Earl Grey lemon tart tastes like
The Earl Grey lemon tart looks insane. Thick and just so good-looking!!! And it tastes even better than it looks 👍
🥧 As you can see, the tart has a fudgy chocolate-jam-like layer on top of the crust, then Earl Grey cream, with lemon custard tucked in between. The thick Earl Grey cream has a soft, subtle fragrance that's really delicious. And the lemon custard in the middle cuts through right when things start feeling a bit rich, finishing everything off with a burst of brightness 😋 I thought this place was just a coffee spot, but the desserts are just as good!!
The 30-pack drip bag gift set and its norigae charm
They also sell cold brew concentrate, cups, and other goods in-store. Being a coffee-focused spot, they carry a wide range of drip bags so you can enjoy good coffee at home too! Decaf options are available as well.
I noticed this on my way in — if you buy the 30-pack drip bag gift set, they'll attach a norigae (traditional tassel) charm for you. (Choice of signature drip bag or decaf drip bag)
Here's what it actually looks like! If you're planning to buy a Chuseok gift set, this would make a pretty upscale-looking package.
Why Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is worth a return visit
When I was a bit younger, I absolutely could not go to a café alone or do laptop work by myself — but somehow I've become totally fine hanging out alone haha. So when I go solo, I tend to prefer places with a bit of ambient noise, and this place had that quiet-but-comfortable balance I like. I came with a friend today, but I feel like I'd happily come back solo too!
I visited in the late afternoon so it was pretty relaxed, but since it's near Gwanghwamun, I think lunchtime and early morning get busier. If you're someone like me who always defaults to iced Americano but wants something special once in a while, give this place a try. They've got other drinks besides coffee too, and the desserts are so good you won't regret it haha. I'd recommend Center Coffee Gwanghwamun to anyone looking for a café near Gwanghwamun or just wanting really good coffee.
Where it is
136 Sejong-daero, B1 105-ho, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 중구 세종대로 136 B1층 105호
