City Hall Station café for caffeine-free pear lemonade: Center Coffee

Did you know there's a café inside SFC Mall that's made the Blue Ribbon Survey list 8 times?? And it's so close to my office. Let me introduce Center Coffee Gwanghwamun, which I visited with friends on our way home from work.

Where is Center Coffee Gwanghwamun, and what are the hours?

• Address: 136 Sejong-daero, B1 105-ho, Jung-gu, Seoul (SFC Mall B1)
• Hours: Weekdays 07:30–21:00 / Weekends 11:00–21:00
• Parking: First 90 minutes free

Finding the entrance inside SFC Mall

Center Coffee is on B1 of SFC Mall, about a 5-minute walk from City Hall Station. Maybe because it's already famous as a dessert spot, it was packed with office workers who'd come by after work. If you're around City Hall or Gwanghwamun on a weekend, it's a nice place to refresh after lunch.

What is the seating like at Center Coffee Gwanghwamun?

Gwanghwamun and City Hall are mostly full of franchise cafés like Starbucks or Coffee Bean, so it's hard to find a place with real atmosphere — turns out it was hiding in SFC Mall. There are solo seats by the window for people on their own, and 10-plus group tables that are comfortable for parties of four or more.

The tables were spaced generously too, so there was plenty of room between seats and it felt even more comfortable to sit and stay. Without any crowded feeling nearby, we could spend time at ease, and I really loved the overall pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.

There are two self-order kiosks, so even during a busy lunch rush the wait probably wouldn't be too long. Gotta protect my precious lunch break..!

They also had gift drip bags, cold brew, and glassware for sale — good to know if you need a gift for a coworker or a thank-you present!

What is on the menu at Center Coffee Gwanghwamun?

There was a wide range of drink options — espresso, lattes, non-coffee, and tea. Since we came in the evening, the pear lemonade and red cordial from the non-coffee menu caught our eye haha.

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun had a whole lineup of desserts that hit both taste and looks at once.

• Milk fresh cream cake
• Matilda chocolate cake
• Earl Grey lemon tart
• Dark chocolate baton financier
• Fig baton financier
• Matcha marble pound cake
• Plain butter bar

Honestly, the moment I saw the desserts I wanted to order everything haha, but since we had dinner plans, I held back and just got the Earl Grey lemon tart. On a day I need a sugar boost, I want to try the Matilda chocolate cake — it looks super chocolatey, which is exactly my style.

How do the Earl Grey lemon tart and the caffeine-free drinks taste?

Our Earl Grey lemon tart, pear lemonade, and red cordial arrived. Maybe because of the red-to-yellow color gradient, it all looked so cute haha.

First up, the Earl Grey lemon tart! It had Earl Grey cream, lemon jam(?), and a chocolate brownie base, and one bite in, I understood why it's gotten 8 Blue Ribbons. It also went really well with the drinks we ordered. The Earl Grey cream wasn't heavy at all, so I think anyone who likes Earl Grey or hojicha would love it.

Next, the pear lemonade and red cordial! The pear lemonade was a sweet-tart ade with sweet pear, bright lemon, and carbonation all coming together. The red cordial balanced elderberry, hibiscus, and citrus.

When they handed us the drinks, they told us to stir with the straw before drinking — once I stirred the pear lemonade, the pear and lemon settled at the bottom mixed in and the tartness really came through. It tasted like a refreshing 'tank boy' style ade haha. The red cordial had sour ingredients like hibiscus and citrus blended together so well it felt like drinking a refresher-type drink. It was great to have instead of caffeinated coffee in the evening.

If you're an office worker around Gwanghwamun or City Hall heading home after work, or visiting Jongno on the weekend, definitely check out Center Coffee Gwanghwamun, a pleasant and cozy café near City Hall Station, to refresh!