Local places · 334 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Jeong Jiyeong Coffee Roasters Starfield Suwon Branch is a café on the second floor of Starfield Suwon in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The grapefruit ade’s generous pulp and the blueberry yogurt’s real berry texture stood out during a family shopping break. A convenient, tasty stop for a short rest with a child.
Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch 24 Auto Brew Cafe is a 24-hour bakery café in Seocho, Seoul, near Exit 1 of Sinnonhyeon Station. There are plenty of seats, outlets, selectable coffee beans, and sandwiches. Verdict: Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch is a great place to study or take a late-night break near Sinnonhyeon Station.
Lemangdoré Gwanghwamun is a three-floor bakery café in Jung-gu, Seoul. I had pain au chocolat, a classic egg tart, and a cardamom bun with an Americano, then browsed the breads and gift goods. A spacious spot for choosing bread and coffee.
Hoyang Horim is a hanok-style roastery café in Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. I tried house-roasted decaf hand-drip coffee, sweet pumpkin injeolmi waffles, and Gaeseong juak ang-butter. Verdict: a lovely spot for coffee and traditional desserts in a serene hanok setting.
Boulangerie Tan at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is a bakery in Goyang, Gyeonggi, selling bread baked and sold the same day. A repeat customer takes home baguettes, olive cheese ciabatta, and red bean butter salt bread to freeze. Verdict: Save Boulangerie Tan for classic and European-style breads near KINTEX.
Suragan Tteokbang is a rice cake shop in Jeju, Jeju, for pre-ordering and picking up omaegi tteok near Jeju Airport. A 20-piece box costs 22,000 won and comes in several flavors. Verdict: Reserve 1–2 days ahead for a polished Jeju travel gift.
Selected Nicks is a multi-level dessert café near Gangnam Station in Seoul. I ordered strawberry tiramisu and a vanilla latte for 17,300 won and found the calm second floor ideal for studying at a café. Verdict: a great pick for dessert, coffee, and spacious seating in Gangnam.
Wunder Coffee Bar is a café on B1 of Hyundai Premium Outlet in Songdo, Yeonsu, Incheon. We shared a ₩6,800 tangerine-grapefruit ade and a ₩7,500 Wunder Gato with hojicha ice cream while resting in the food court; the rich, black-tea-like hojicha flavor stood out. A nice quick break during a shopping trip.
Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a bakery in Seodaemun, Seoul. I stopped by just after weekday lunch with no wait, sampled breads for free, and took home kaya coconut, squid-ink onion bagels, and garlic baguettes. Verdict: a generously filled, great-value bakery worth returning to.
Baedagol Bakery House is a garden bakery café in Wondang, Goyang, Gyeonggi. I tried the fresh melon latte, coffee, and hazelnut red bean butter bread while exploring its indoor seating, terrace, and spacious garden. Verdict: a perfect match for a quiet day relaxing in a big garden.
Cheongchuni Oranda is a dessert café in Dongmun Market, Jeju, where shoppers can choose oranda and gwajul as gifts or snacks. The sampled oranda melted softly rather than tasting hard, and I packed assorted gwajul and donut oranda to share with my group. Verdict: a great place to pick up Jeju souvenirs in a set!!!
Baekho Tteokbang is a rice cake shop in Nam-gu, Ulsan, serving pumpkin injeolmi and sweet pumpkin sikhye. On a late Saturday afternoon, only three packs remained, but I brought home one pack each of Baekho Tteok and Heukho Tteok for my family. Verdict: a wonderfully filling stop whenever pumpkin injeolmi is on your mind.
