Gangnam house café: marshmallow cocoa & corn pie, Upper and Under

Between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station, in the middle of the busy city, are you looking for a hideout all your own?

Where is Upper and Under?

Upper and Under (어퍼앤언더, written UPPER AND UNDER) is a house-conversion café at 28 Gangnam-daero 102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the coffee shop street behind the CGV at Gangnam Station. Near Sinnonhyeon Station, it's already loved by plenty of people for the special atmosphere of a converted house.

• Name: Upper and Under (UPPER AND UNDER)
• Address: 28 Gangnam-daero 102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Daily 11:00–22:30
• Features: House-conversion café, varied seating layouts, 3rd-floor terrace

When you have plans near Gangnam Station, it's often hard to decide where to go, right?

What is the converted-house space like?

Upper and Under has a unique feel from the entrance. The 1st floor has big glass windows that let you see right in from the street, so it feels cool and open.

But the real charm starts when you head inside and go upstairs. There are tables everywhere you look, so you can settle into whatever kind of spot you're in the mood for.

Since it's a converted house, the layout isn't uniform, and every corner gives a different feel.

Once you go up to the 2nd floor and place your order, it's kind of fun, like exploring a secret space.

Stair lighting from the 2nd to 3rd floor, and the 3rd-floor terrace

The lighting on the stairs from the 2nd to the 3rd floor is especially pretty, so it's a hit with people who love taking photos. The ceilings are high, giving an open view, and the casual, comfortable wood interior felt natural.

Go up to the 3rd floor and there's even an open terrace, which is nice for an outdoorsy feel on a good-weather day. I also really liked that the tables come in different shapes, so you can sit wherever suits you.

It's perfect when you want to tuck yourself away in some me-time, or when you want a private chat with friends.

What did I order at Upper and Under?

Maybe because I arrived late, only a few desserts were left in the showcase, and I agonized over which to pick.

How can desserts be this tiny and cute? They were so pretty they looked like models.

That day I ordered a mix, mostly signature drinks and desserts: coconut matcha, cocoa latte, corn pie and Earl Grey grapefruit cake!

How was the coconut matcha?

The first thing I tried was the coconut matcha, and it had a different charm from the coconut milk I'd imagined.

Clear coconut water meets matcha, so it felt much cleaner and more refreshing.

Cocoa latte with marshmallows

The cocoa latte has that sweet, mood-lifting taste we all know, so it was a no-fail choice. And they even give you marshmallows ^^

What's the corn pie's texture like?

What caught my eye most was the corn pie, with its super cute look.

The pie has layers that crackle in your mouth, and the corn cream filling blends in so harmoniously that I marveled with every bite.

Earl Grey grapefruit cake

Earl Grey grapefruit cake is something I always love. The Earl Grey aroma spreads softly, and just when it gets a little rich, a bite of grapefruit tidies up your mouth with freshness.

Is Upper and Under worth going back to?

If you're looking for a Gangnam Station or Sinnonhyeon Station café with a cozy converted-house feel and great desserts, do visit Upper and Under once. Enjoying a cup of coffee on the 3rd-floor terrace on a nice day, you might forget you're in the middle of Gangnam. Next time I plan to come back on a sunny day and get even prettier photos.