Hongdae café with fresh Chimney Salt & Mr. Pepperoni: Chimney Mansion

Why we visited Chimney Mansion, a Hongdae chimney bread café

Chimney Mansion (침니맨션) is a chimney bread (kürtőskalács-style spiral pastry) bakery famous as a unique Hongdae café. I went last Friday with my partner. Friends of ours, a couple we once shared chimney bread with in Haenggung-dong, Suwon, recommended it strongly. They said the chimney bread is really good and the café is nicely decorated to match its concept, so since we were in Hongdae anyway, we gave it a try.

Chimney Mansion location, hours and parking

• Address: 14 Jandari-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: weekdays 11:00 - 20:00 / weekends 10:00 - 21:00
• Parking: not available (use the nearby paid Samyun private parking lot)

Chimney Mansion is a few minutes' walk from Hapjeong Station, so it's easy to reach. You can also walk from Hongik Univ. Station. It takes a bit longer than from Hapjeong, but both stations are close, so it's an easy trip from either side.

What does the Chimney Mansion exterior look like?

The exterior is a two-story building where red brick and dark colors work together, and it stands out at a glance even from far away. It feels like an old European mansion transplanted here. The second floor is finished in a deep black wooden-roof style, which feels grand yet warm, and the big picture window across the first floor has a chimney sweep character and text painted on it, which highlights the Chimney Mansion concept. Arched windows on the side of the building and green plants add a vintage, sentimental mood.

The passage leading into the shop is also done in red brick, and it felt like walking into an old European castle or a wine cellar, so my excitement built right from the entrance.

Chimney Mansion interior on the 1st and 2nd floors

Stepping inside on the first floor, the first things I noticed were a big fireplace object in white tile, vintage picture frames and a wooden easel. It felt like walking into the living room of an old European house. Along one wall there was an antique vanity with a mirror and a stool with a blue seat, and in the corner a floor lamp gave off a soft orange glow, so it felt like being invited into someone's nicely decorated study or living room.

The second floor had a different mood: white fabric hung over the whole ceiling and walls, making a dreamy, romantic space.

There were terrace seats too,

and a long table, which looked good for visiting in a group.

The lighting, furniture and fabric style differ in every space, so photos look lovely wherever you take them. If you're looking for a unique Hongdae café, I thought the interior alone makes it worth a visit.

Chimney bread menu at Chimney Mansion and what sold out

The first floor has a separate bakery and ordering area.

There was a really wide variety of chimney bread, the signature item at Chimney Mansion.

When I visited, a group ahead of us had ordered several kinds of chimney bread for takeout, so quite a few items were already sold out.

I was a little disappointed, since if I'd come a bit earlier I could have tried more kinds.

What we ordered at Chimney Mansion

We ordered an Americano, a chocolate drink, Peanuts House, Mr. Pepperoni and Chimney Salt. Chimney Salt is the Chimney Mansion signature, baked the moment you order, and the staff told us it takes about 10 minutes.

The chimney bread looked really tasty right from the first glance.

How does Mr. Pepperoni chimney bread taste?

Mr. Pepperoni was a chimney bread with pepperoni, cheddar cheese and black pepper. The salty cheese and pepperoni flavor went well together, and with the faint pepper aroma and a slight kick of spice, it had a different charm from sweet-focused desserts.

How does Peanuts House chimney bread taste?

Peanuts House came with roasted peanuts, dark chocolate and caramel sauce. The toppings were piled on so generously that I tasted the nutty crunch of the peanuts before the bread. The nutty peanuts, sweet chocolate and caramel blended nicely, and it's the kind of sweet-and-nutty flavor I kept thinking about.

Is the signature Chimney Salt worth the wait?

The Chimney Salt I'd looked forward to most came out fresh from the oven, and I could feel the warmth. It was also bigger than the other chimney breads, so it was satisfying just to look at.

The outside was lightly crisp, and the inside stayed soft and chewy. It's a simple item, but the salty salt brings out the bread's nutty flavor even more, and I could see why it's the Chimney Mansion signature.

Americano and chocolate drink at Chimney Mansion

The Americano and chocolate drink we ordered with it were satisfying too. The Americano wasn't strongly acidic, so it was good to drink with chimney bread, and the chocolate had a rich chocolate flavor that went well with the sweet chimney bread.

Chimney Mansion verdict and visiting tips

If you're looking for a slightly special café in Hongdae, Chimney Mansion is worth a visit once. From the exterior to the interior, each space has its own personality, so it's fun to look around, and the sentimental interior that feels like an old European mansion is great for photos too.

Above all, the biggest charm of Chimney Mansion is being able to try many kinds of chimney bread. From sweet to salty, there's a wide range, so it's fun to pick to your taste. The Chimney Salt, baked to order, was especially impressive for its fresh-baked warmth and soft, chewy texture. Peanuts House had a good texture with plenty of nutty peanuts on top, and Mr. Pepperoni, salty with a slight spiciness, offered a different charm from the sweet chimney breads.

However, some chimney breads were already sold out when I visited. It's a popular café with lots of takeout customers and a steady stream of visitors, so if you have a particular item in mind, I recommend going a bit early. If you're looking for a unique Hongdae café, or want to try chimney bread, which isn't easy to come by, Chimney Mansion lets you enjoy both atmosphere and dessert 😊

Who will enjoy Chimney Mansion?

• Anyone looking for a unique Hongdae café
• Anyone looking for a Hongdae bakery café
• Anyone who wants to try chimney bread for the first time
• Anyone looking for a nice Hongdae date course
• Anyone who likes taking photos in a sentimental interior
• Anyone who wants a different kind of dessert