Hongdae brewing café with vinyl-wall third-floor seats: Central Site

On a nice day, after lunch around 1pm, with warm sunlight pouring in, I wanted a cup of coffee, so I headed to Yeonnam-dong. There are so many cafés in Yeonnam-dong. Among them, I went to Central Site Yeonnam, which I'd heard has great brewing coffee and tiramisu.

I'm not really a coffee expert. I just like a nutty, mellow taste, but the coffee I had here was kind of a special experience.

Where is Central Site Yeonnam, and what are its hours and parking?

Central Site Yeonnam is at 29-1 Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, about 7 minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station. It's open weekdays 08:00–22:00 and weekends 08:30–22:00.

• Address: 29-1 Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• About 7 minutes on foot from Exit 3, Hongik Univ. Station
• Hours: weekdays 08:00–22:00 / weekends 08:30–22:00
• Parking: no on-site parking, use a private lot 1–2 minutes on foot

A black-toned building with three floors of café seating

Walking along Yeonhui-ro, there's a building with a black exterior and huge windows that catches your eye right away. That's Central Site Yeonnam. From the 1st to the 3rd floor, it's a fairly large café with a different mood on each level.

The 1st floor has the checkout counter and bar-style tables in front of the open kitchen. There are also bar seats by the big windows, so you can look straight out at the street.

Smelling the beans before the coffee is poured: a tea-like fermented aroma

At Central Site Yeonnam, they have you smell the coffee before serving it. It's meant to let you notice the difference between the aroma alone and the taste when you drink it. What surprised me was that they even ferment some of the coffee. Maybe that's why the coffee's aroma came out in so many different, tea-like notes.

A different view on each floor: second-floor windows and third-floor vinyl walls

On the 2nd floor of Central Site Yeonnam, there are bar-style tables lined up along the window, and the rest of the space is filled with about six round two-person tables. On the 3rd floor, the walls are made of thick, clear vinyl, so the view outside comes right in.

There were couples visiting together, and a person or two working on laptops. It felt like a comfortable spot whether you come alone or with someone.

The 3rd floor was definitely quieter. Because the walls are thick, clear vinyl, the street view and the trees outside look almost like they're part of a natural scene. If you want a quiet spot, the 3rd floor is the one.

Central Site Yeonnam menu and prices

Hand-drip brewing prices vary by bean, and single-origin beans start at ₩14,000 for 200g. Americano is ₩5,000, and classic tiramisu is ₩8,500.

• Brewed coffee: hand-drip prices vary by bean / single-origin beans from ₩14,000 for 200g
• Coffee: Americano ₩5,000, Café latte ₩5,500, Cappuccino ₩5,500, Vanilla bean latte ₩6,000, Oatside oat latte ₩6,500, Sprouted soy latte ₩6,500, Cold brew americano ₩6,000, Cold brew vanilla cream ₩7,500
• Non-coffee: Sunkist lemonade ₩6,500, Peach passionfruit iced tea ₩6,500
• Desserts: Classic tiramisu ₩8,500, Brownie tiramisu ₩9,500, Lotus tiramisu ₩8,000, Strawberry trifle ₩9,000, Mango trifle ₩9,000, Blueberry lemon trifle ₩8,500

I ordered Guatemala Entre Volcanes washed for ₩8,000, Colombia Campo Hermoso Caturra honey grape for ₩10,000, and classic tiramisu for ₩8,500. Total: ₩26,500.

How the Guatemala Entre Volcanes and Colombia Campo Hermoso taste

Guatemala Entre Volcanes washed, 8,000 won

Since I said I liked a nutty taste, they recommended Guatemala Entre Volcanes. It's rich and without acidity.

Colombia Campo Hermoso Caturra honey grape, 10,000 won

Colombia Campo Hermoso has a bit of acidity along with sweetness and aroma, so I ordered it too. A whole big ice cube was in the glass. It had a sweet scent that was grape-like. That's probably why it reminded me of the smell of wine.

It was a fresh experience realizing coffee's aroma could branch out in so many different directions. It was a curious and fun time.

Classic tiramisu and its bitter dark chocolate powder

For dessert, classic tiramisu. It's pretty just to look at, with dark chocolate powder dusted on top. The sheet is soft and moist, so the sponge-cake-like layer and the creamy filling come together beautifully while cold. It was so good.

The dark chocolate powder on top adds a bittersweet touch that makes the tiramisu special. That bitterness quietly goes well with the acidic coffee. A sip of coffee, a bite of tiramisu — the combination was just right.

Frequently asked questions about Central Site Yeonnam

Is there parking at Central Site Yeonnam?

There's no on-site parking, so you'll need to use a private lot 1–2 minutes on foot.

Which floor is the best seat?

The 1st floor is great on a sunny day, the 2nd floor has the window view, and the 3rd floor is quiet. Pick whichever suits your mood.

Is there coffee without acidity?

Yes, there is. If you tell the staff you like a nutty taste, they'll recommend the right bean for you.

Quick visitor guide to Central Site Yeonnam

• Central Site Yeonnam is about 7 minutes on foot from Exit 3, Hongik Univ. Station
• A specialty café that brews its own coffee to order
• Split into a 1st-floor bar, 2nd-floor window and two-person tables, and a quiet 3rd floor
• Coffee is served after a smell test first
• Classic tiramisu pairs well with the coffee
• No on-site parking, so use a nearby private lot

Final thoughts on Central Site Yeonnam

Even for someone who doesn't know much about coffee like me, everything from the aroma to the first sip left an impression. If you like coffee with acidity, you'll enjoy it even more. Since the acidity turned out to be surprisingly nice, I'm thinking of trying another unusual coffee aroma next time. If you're looking for a brewing café in Yeonnam-dong, definitely stop by.