Local places · 404 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café on Gwanak-ro 14na-gil near Seoul National University Station in Gwanak, Seoul. I had two berry ades with a friend and packed up muffins; the generously spaced seating was comfortable for talking, while the ade was lightly carbonated and the cheese muffin had a moderate cheese flavor.
Pink Wall Cafe is a bakery café on Yongyuseo-ro in Yeongjong, Incheon, with a pink interior and an outdoor garden. I had drinks and a fig tart, and found the widely spaced tables and parasol-covered outdoor seats especially appealing. The wide selection of bagels and desserts also made browsing enjoyable.
Ward Coffee Gusan Station Branch is a café near Exit 2 of Gusan Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. I ordered a 1L cold brew, apple sherbet tea, corn bread, and an English muffin; the corn bread was chewy and not overly sweet. With about three tables and no dedicated parking, it felt better for takeout or a short break than a long stay.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a dessert café on Seonggogoyang-gil 5beonan-gil in Gangneung, with a café and Sandbox experience zone. I bought coffee and sweet corn flavors to eat at Sodol Beach and liked their buttery aroma and generous cream, though single pieces and mixed boxes were unavailable.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Amusement Park branch is a café spread across floors 2–4 on a hill in Dong-gu, Daegu. I visited after lunch with my husband to work on my blog while looking toward the Geumho River, and found the spacious tables and private parking convenient. The White Sangria Smoothie was my favorite because it was refreshing without being overly sweet.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a takeout bakery about a 10-minute walk from Bucheon Station. I waited briefly in the morning, packed three kinds of bread and financiers, and found the plain, chewy loaves good as a meal substitute, though I skipped buying the mascarpone milk cream because I could not refrigerate it before my next stop.
Benetto (베네또) is a café near Ulsan City Hall in Nam-gu, where I returned with a companion for a jambon basil (ham and basil) grilled sandwich, Basque cheesecake and iced Americanos. The generously sauced sandwich made a filling meal, and the coffee was smooth and nutty without a burnt taste. The café had no dedicated parking.
MUG (카페 먹) is a large bakery café in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju, Ulsan, with pond-facing seats and outdoor walking paths. I especially liked the chestnut cheesecake and tart MUG lemonade, though the blueberry cream cheese cinnamon roll needed more cream cheese. Weekend lunchtime was busy, so getting a window seat by the pond took some timing.
Cheongchuni Oranda Dongmun Market Main Branch, Tapdong is a dessert shop in Dongmun Market, Jeju. I chose the tangerine rice-syrup gwajul gangjeong gift set, with crisp puffed rice, a light finish, and a subtle tangerine aroma. Verdict: a neatly packaged Jeju gift that feels easy to give.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a bakery about a five-minute walk from Exit 2 of Bucheon Station. I took home three chewy barley loaves—plain, grain, and rye—and found each distinct; at the time of my visit, purchases were in person only.
Forest Jeongbang is a café near Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo, Jeju, with its own parking lot, a second-floor ocean view, and a terrace. I visited with my child, tried the Jeongbang Waterfall Latte, cheesecake, and fresh chocolate, and especially liked the latte’s nutty pistachio finish and the rich cheesecake.
Pino Cafe Cheonan is a brunch café in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan, where I had charcoal-grilled pork belly steak and basil jalapeño pasta. The meal was satisfying, and walking through the flower garden and past the red windmill before and after eating made for an unhurried visit.
