Hanok café in Gwangju visited in all four seasons: Hoyang Horim

I went to Hoyang Horim in Yangnim-dong, Gwangju. 🤍 It's a hanok café near Gwangju Christian Hospital that I've visited every season — spring, summer, fall, and winter. Since it's a hanok with a courtyard, the mood changes with the seasons, but it's pretty no matter when you go. 😊

📍 Location: 4 Uwolsun-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Korea, 1st floor 🕒 Hours: Sun–Thu 11:00–21:00 / Fri 11:00–17:00 / Sat 11:00–21:00 🚗 Parking: Yangnim-dong public parking lot

Where is Hoyang Horim, and where can you park?

Hoyang Horim sits in a Yangnim-dong alley. We parked at the Yangnim-dong public parking lot and walked over. 🚗

Since it's close to Gwangju Christian Hospital, you can also use hospital parking lots 1 and 2. On weekends, holidays, and weekdays after 5pm, they're free for 1 hour. The Yangnim History & Culture Village public lot is free for 2 hours. 😊

The hanok courtyard and traditional games at Hoyang Horim

Past the gate, the courtyard and hanok come into view. The tiled roof and wooden structure keep the look of an old traditional house intact.

Hoyang Horim's courtyard has seating where you can sit and drink coffee. It has a different atmosphere from indoors, so on a nice day it seems great to sit outside with a coffee. ☕

There was tuho (arrow-pitching game) and jegichagi (traditional shuttlecock kicking) set up in the courtyard — it seems like it'd be fun to come back and try them with the kids next time. 🤍

Indoor seating and what Hoyang Horim provides for kids

Inside, there's an order desk in the middle with seating on both sides.

Near the desk, Hoyang Horim also sells its own house-roasted coffee beans. ☕

Baby chairs are available, and cushions and blankets can be used when needed. 👶🏻🤍

One side has tables and chairs. There are also window seats where you can look out at the courtyard.

The other side is shoes-off floor seating.

What we ordered at Hoyang Horim

We ordered at the kiosk. Besides coffee and lattes, there's also hand-drip coffee, bingsu (shaved ice dessert), and other desserts on the menu.

We ordered a vanilla bean cream latte, decaf café latte, mugwort injeolmi waffle, and gotgamsando. 🤍

Hoyang Horim is also famous for its gaeseongjuak (deep-fried glutinous rice sweet). 🤍

Here's what we ordered. 🤍

Decaf café latte and vanilla bean cream latte

I ordered the decaf café latte. ☕ It had a nutty, smooth flavor, easy to drink without any caffeine worries.

My friend ordered the vanilla bean cream latte.

The vanilla bean cream latte had a thick layer of cream on top, dense enough that it didn't run down the sides. 🤍

Gotgamsando (dried persimmon sandwich cookie)

The gotgamsando (dried persimmon and fig terrine) came sliced into bite-sized pieces. The sweetness of the fig and dried persimmon paired well together, and I think it would go even better with an Americano.

Mugwort injeolmi waffle with roasted soybean powder

The mugwort injeolmi waffle was crispy on the outside. 🌿 The mugwort flavor wasn't strong, and it was nutty from the generous soybean powder on top. Bits of almond mixed in made it even tastier. 🤍 Since the mugwort scent isn't overpowering, it seems fine to share with kids too. 😊

Why Hoyang Horim is worth a return visit every season

Hoyang Horim — a place I've visited every season from spring to winter. 🤍 This time, I had coffee with a friend and enjoyed the mugwort injeolmi waffle and gotgamsando. Since it's a café with a hanok and courtyard, the scenery changes with each season, which keeps drawing me back. Next time, I want to come with the kids and try tuho and jegichagi in the courtyard. 😊 If you're looking for a hanok café and desserts in Yangnim-dong, Gwangju, give Hoyang Horim a try. (●'◡'●)🤍