Local places · 365 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
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.
On the Rail is a large railway-view café in Munsan, Paju. On a first highway drive, I loved the spacious parking lot, wide window-filled space, and filling green onion cheese bread. Verdict: a lovely stop for a night drive and fireside gazing.
5to7 Seongsu Main Branch is a soufflé café near Seoul Forest in Seongdong, Seoul. I ordered the tiramisu soufflé with lemon myrtle tea and passion fruit ade after the fresh mango soufflé was unavailable. Verdict: a lovely Seongsu date stop for dessert and photos.
Nerdy Blue Burrow is a small café tucked into an alley about four minutes from Wangsimni Station Exit 9 in Seongdong, Seoul. I tried Berry Happy, the coffee of the month, fresh cheesecake, and a financier, and found its dim lighting and music a comfortable setting for a conversation after a meal.
Notten is a brunch café in Dongpyeon Village, Anyang, where I had a Korean wheat bread plate and tomato Greek yogurt bowl alone on a weekday. The bread was nutty rather than overly sweet, and the calm room and greenery outside made it easy to take my time.
Cafe Dunchi is a café beside the Namdaecheon River in Yangyang, Gangwon, where visitors can take an electric boat ride. My family had drinks, rode the boat with the children, and played at the neighboring ecological park; the Sunday afternoon visit was quiet and relaxing.
