Hapjeong café calmer than Yeonnam: Cherry Velvet brew at Central Site

The Yeonnam branch left such an impression that I came back to Central Site (센트럴사이트) Hapjeong. Conclusion first: the coffee quality is just as good, and the mood is much calmer. If you want to enjoy brewed coffee slowly in a quiet space, I personally liked the Hapjeong branch more.

How does Central Site Hapjeong feel different from the Yeonnam branch?

Central Site Hapjeong is a more minimal, calmer café than its sister branch in Yeonnam. Same brand, but the atmosphere was quite different.

If the Yeonnam branch was a wide, open space, Central Site Hapjeong felt a little more minimal and calm~

The brewing bar and the baristas' workspace are close together, so you naturally see the whole process of the coffee being made, and the space itself makes it easy to focus on a single cup. The guests sitting there all looked so relaxed too.

Mecenatpolis is right in front and it's close to Hapjeong Station, so there's a lot of foot traffic, yet inside it was quieter than I expected. I liked seeing such a mix of visitors: families, couples, friends, and people grabbing takeout!

Central Site Hapjeong location, opening hours and parking

Central Site Hapjeong is about a 4-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 10 and is open daily from 08:30 to 22:00. It was easy to reach by public transport, and being right by Mecenatpolis makes it a great spot to drop in after a meal or to relax over a coffee in Hapjeong!

• Address: 20 Yanghwa-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: daily 08:30–22:00
• Getting there: about a 4-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 10, so access is easy
• Parking: no dedicated lot, but the Homeplus Hapjeong underground car park (Mecenatpolis) is free for 30 minutes, then ₩2,000 per 30 minutes
• Restroom: go out to the left of the building and climb about half a floor in the next building; you can get the door code at the counter

Brewed coffee and tiramisu at Central Site Hapjeong

At Central Site Hapjeong we ordered two brewed coffees (Colombia Las Flores Duo Cherry Velvet Java Hydro Honey and Ethiopia Gesha Village Oma #39 Gesha 1931 Natural) and a tiramisu. I wanted to try brewed coffee in Hapjeong, so once again I picked two cups and a tiramisu.

What does the Colombia Cherry Velvet Java Hydro Honey taste like?

My coffee was the Colombia Las Flores Duo Cherry Velvet Java Hydro Honey. The menu description listed pineapple, muscat, yellow peach, mixed fruit, lychee syrup and white flowers, and in the cup it really was fragrant, with a faint chocolatey note too.

What does the Ethiopia Gesha Village Oma Gesha 1931 Natural taste like?

My older sister, who came with me, ordered the Ethiopia Gesha Village Oma #39 Gesha 1931 Natural, and she said the peach aroma and sweet fruit flavor were lovely.

Central Site's big square ice cube

Central Site's signature large, square, clear ice looks impressive, but I also liked that it melts slowly so you can enjoy the coffee's true flavor for longer :) Instead of gulping it down, I could sip by sip savor the aroma and flavor.

Central Site's signature tiramisu

The tiramisu we ordered alongside, true to Central Site's signature, went well with the coffee. The soft cream and the crunchy chocolate texture blended nicely, which made it great with coffee.

The cream is so light it melts away in your mouth, so after one bite you want more, and before I knew it I was already scooping up the next bite.

It's a taste I keep thinking about,,

Why Central Site Hapjeong is worth it even if acidic coffee isn't your thing

The brewed coffee at Central Site Hapjeong wasn't as acidic as I expected, so even people who don't enjoy acidity can drink it comfortably. Honestly, I'm not someone who usually likes strongly acidic coffee, and I found Central Site while searching for a hand-drip café in Hapjeong. I felt the same way on my first visit to the Yeonnam branch, and here in Hapjeong I could enjoy it comfortably too.

Thanks to that, I've slowly become curious about Ethiopian and Colombian beans that I rarely reached for before. The older you get, the harder it is to try new tastes, but Central Site was the place that naturally showed me the charm of brewed coffee.

Central Site Hapjeong vs. Yeonnam: which is better?

Central Site Hapjeong and the Yeonnam branch are both roastery cafés that roast their own beans, offering a variety of brewed coffees and the signature tiramisu. What the two share is clear.

Both are roastery cafés that roast their own beans, you can choose from a range of brewed coffees, and the tiramisu is a signature dessert that many people order. Both are also good places for coffee lovers.

The mood, though, was definitely different! The Yeonnam branch is big, so it's good for staying a long time to chat or work, while Central Site Hapjeong is much quieter and more relaxed, good for enjoying the coffee itself. I liked both, but personally I liked this Hapjeong branch a little more. It's an easy Hapjeong date option, and it also suits spending quiet time alone.

Other details about Central Site Hapjeong

Verdict: who is Central Site Hapjeong for?

Central Site Hapjeong is a Hapjeong café that suits anyone who wants to slowly savor a cup of brewed coffee in a quiet atmosphere. Even within the same Central Site brand, the mood differs quite a lot from branch to branch.

If the Yeonnam branch was a café for enjoying the space, the Hapjeong branch was a space for slowly savoring a cup of brewed coffee. Even I, who find acidic coffee difficult, could enjoy it comfortably, so if you're looking for a café in Hapjeong, Central Site Hapjeong, where you can enjoy brewed coffee in a quiet atmosphere, is worth a visit~