Yeonhui-dong study café with decaf and ham-cheese sandwich: Der Stuhl

There are so many pretty cafés in Yeonhui-dong these days that it's hard to decide where to go. Der Stuhl, which I visited this time, felt less like a place just to drink coffee and more like a place to enjoy the space itself, so it really stayed with me.

I originally dropped by casually for a cup of coffee, but I ended up staying much longer than expected as I looked around. If you're looking for a good café to work in, want to spend some quiet time, or want to feel that special Yeonhui-dong mood, I think you'll like it, so let me introduce it.

Where is Der Stuhl Yeonhui, and can you park?

Der Stuhl Yeonhui (데스툴 연희) is at 98 Yeonhui-ro 25-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the second floor of a building tucked into a Yeonhui-dong alley, and parking is available. Being able to come by car was a big plus. Yeonhui-dong has lots of pretty cafés, but parking can be tough in quite a few of them, whereas Der Stuhl was relatively easy to visit.

From the first look at the exterior, it had a different vibe from a typical franchise café. It suits the quiet residential feel of Yeonhui-dong, and it even reminded me of a small European gallery or studio. The building itself is clean and stylish, so I was already excited before climbing the stairs.

On a nice day, just seeing the outdoor area and the surrounding scenery put me in a good mood. Yeonhui-dong is a great neighborhood for walks anyway, and I felt Der Stuhl captures that atmosphere well.

What does the name Der Stuhl mean?

The café's name, "Der Stuhl," means chair in German. True to the name, there are distinctive chairs placed all around, and as you look around the café you naturally understand why it was named that.

What is the atmosphere inside Der Stuhl?

Inside, Der Stuhl is a large café where the spacious interior and big picture windows catch your eye first. I was surprised by how much bigger it was than I expected, and the natural light pouring in made the space feel cool and open.

Big cafés are often just huge with the same tables repeated, but Der Stuhl was nothing like that. The furniture differs from area to area and the mood shifts a little too, so it's fun to wander around.

Some seats were good for working, some for chatting with a friend, and some for sitting alone with a book or staring blankly out the window. The space is said to be modeled on a German art school, and you really can feel an artistic sensibility throughout. The cool feel of exposed concrete and stainless steel blends nicely with wood-toned furniture, making it both stylish and comfortable.

Is Der Stuhl a good café for working on a laptop?

Even on a weekday afternoon, quite a few guests had their laptops open, and there were seats with power outlets, so it looked fine for staying a long time. Many people were also reading or quietly spending time. I could see why it's known as a good café for working in Yeonhui-dong.

It's also not just pretty furniture set down at random; you can tell care went into how each piece is placed. Because of that, every photo turns out well, and the space itself feels like an exhibition.

Der Stuhl menu

Der Stuhl offers a wide range, from coffee to non-coffee drinks and desserts. The Americano lets you choose your beans, and there's a decaf option too. I think that's welcome news for people who love coffee but find caffeine too much.

• Drinks: Americano, café latte, Auf Matcha, cream mocha, and more
• Desserts: carrot cake, Alpen chocolate cake, pound cake, sandwiches, and more

Even the dessert display has that Der Stuhl feel, so it was fun to browse. That day I ordered a decaf Americano, a fig pound cake and a ham and cheese sandwich. I only meant to have coffee, but looking at the menu made me a little hungry, so I added a sandwich. To say the conclusion first: I was happy with all three.

Decaf Americano ₩6,000: how does it taste?

Der Stuhl's decaf Americano (₩6,000) had plenty of coffee aroma and a clean taste. Decaf often lacks aroma or tastes watery, so I didn't expect much, but I was more satisfied than I thought. It isn't a sharply acidic style; it's nutty and smooth, so I think anyone could drink it comfortably.

Fig pound cake ₩4,500

Pound cake can often be dry, but Der Stuhl's fig pound cake (₩4,500) had a lovely moist texture. There was a subtle buttery flavor in each bite, and the figs scattered throughout added texture and sweetness.

The fig's sweetness wasn't overpowering, so it went well with coffee. I think even people who don't like sweet desserts could enjoy it, and it's just right for a relaxed moment with a cup of coffee.

Ham and cheese sandwich ₩8,500: the favorite

The item I liked most at Der Stuhl that day was the ham and cheese sandwich (₩8,500). It's a café sandwich, so I didn't expect much, but it was far tastier than I thought. It seemed to be made to order, and the bread was in really good shape.

It was crispy outside and moist inside, and the ham and cheese combination stuck to the basics. Salty ham and nutty cheese worked well together and went nicely with coffee, and it was more filling than expected, so it worked like a light brunch.

Eating it with the fig pound cake, alternating between sweet and salty, was even more satisfying. If you want to have a simple meal at a café, I really recommend ordering them together.

If you want a relaxed afternoon in Yeonhui-dong, do stop by Der Stuhl. It was a charming café where just looking around the space is satisfying enough.