Local places · 407 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
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.
Cafe Dunchi is a café beside the Namdaecheon River in Yangyang, Gangwon, where I had drinks and took a 30-minute electric boat ride with my child. The river time and nearby park walk stood out, though there is no restroom inside the café.
Ugly Tongue is a café in Yeonsu, Incheon, where I ordered a Diet smoothie and a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich. The blueberry-forward smoothie was more filling than expected, and the crisp sandwich with thick ham made for a satisfying pairing.
Hands Coffee Gumi Goa-eup Branch is a two-story café on the road from Gumi toward Seonsan. I had a chocolate banana waffle and coffee in its spacious, comfortable seating, and while it suited families and groups, it was not especially easy to reach by public transportation.
Cafe Giwa is a hanok café near Chodang Sundubu Village in Gangneung, with a garden, outdoor tables, and its own parking lot. I visited with a friend for Giwa Black Latte, Pink Flower Latte, homemade lemon ginger tea, and gâteau chocolat; the garden-view seating and antique-feeling interior stayed with me.
Baegya Coffee is a large bakery café directly in front of Sageunjin Beach in Gangneung. I had bread, including pizza bread, and coffee with my child while looking out at the sea; the food and clean space were satisfying, though the outdoor area is a no-kids zone and some bread was gone late in the afternoon.
Sum (숨) is a large bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, with broad forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows. I had drinks and pastries while looking out at the mountains; it was quiet enough for reading or laptop work, though the rooftop had no shade for a long stay.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a baumkuchen café about 100 m from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul. We tried three baumkuchen varieties with two iced Americanos; the moist Mini Baum Plain was my favorite, and it was a quiet place to read and rest.
MIMI Coffee Mill is a café in Sunseong-myeon, Dangjin, Chungnam, where I had coffee and desserts with a companion on the outdoor terrace. The classic and lemon butter bars paired well with bitter Americano, while the spoonable Oreo cake was nuttier and softer than expected; the quiet terrace was the highlight.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café in a side street of Sharosugil, between Seoul National University and Nakseongdae stations in Gwanak, Seoul. I stopped by on a date for a brûlée pie, iced Americano, and iced long black; the filling was like egg tart and paired well with the long black, though the top was less crisp than I expected.
