Dobong café in Seoul with old-house charm and iced latte: Uisagye

While looking for a café near Uicheon where I could take a little break, I stopped by Uisagye.

True to its name, it is designed to let you feel the scenery of all four seasons up close, so it is a nice place to visit while exploring around Uicheon. More than anything, the building had a distinctive atmosphere that felt a little different from an ordinary café.

An Exterior Blending with the Uicheon Scenery

Uisagye is a two-story building based in white, with red accents throughout that make it easy to spot even from afar. A large pink-and-gold ribbon decoration on the second-floor corner added even more character to the building.

It is a cozy café where red brick and white exterior walls work beautifully together. The stairs leading to the entrance and the stylish exterior caught my eye, while the words “COFFEE & TRDLO DESSERT” on the window gave an instant feel for the café.

You can enjoy trdlo, a traditional Czech chimney cake, in flavors including original, cinnamon, cheese, and chocolate. There are also small outdoor chairs by the window, making it a nice spot to sit down and relax for a moment.

Trees, potted plants, and all sorts of greenery around the entrance added to the café’s atmospheric feel.

Uisagye was newly created by remodeling a roughly 30-year-old red-brick house. It was especially impressive because it preserved traces of the original building while making a comfortable place to rest and feel the changes of the seasons.

Information to Check Before Visiting

• Address: 178 Uicheon-ro, Dobong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 10:00–21:00
• Getting there: Ssangmun Station, Line 4, Exit 3
• Parking: No parking. Use a nearby public parking lot.

What Are the Exterior and Entrance Like?

When I arrived, the rounded arched glass door and burgundy entrance door were the first things that caught my eye. The opening hours were neatly displayed on the glass door, which was handy to check before visiting.

A Fresh Take on an Old House

Once inside, sunlight streamed in through the large windows, and the green view outside naturally drew my eye as well. The white-toned space paired exposed concrete ceilings and pillars with wood furniture and brown-toned tiles, creating a clean yet comfortable atmosphere.

Uisagye First-Floor Seating

The first floor offered a slightly different mood at every seat, so it was easy to choose according to your taste. Wood stools lined the long terrazzo bar table, while a three-person table in front of the full-height window was perfect for lingering over the view outside.

On one side were a black high table and stools, and farther inside was a compact round table for two. Plants placed throughout and soft sunlight from the large windows made the space feel even brighter and warmer, and I loved its overall relaxed atmosphere.

A red metal staircase leading up to the second floor stood at the center of the space. Running naturally along one wall, it became a vivid focal point among the white tones and wood furniture.

The café also displayed its Wi-Fi information. It is listed as “Uisagye_1F,” so keep that in mind if you need internet while you are there.

Uisagye Second-Floor Seating

Upstairs, a cozy space with a completely different feel from the first floor unfolded. Terracotta-colored floor tiles and the red stair railing added warmth, while solid-wood tables and bench sofas made it a comfortable place to stay awhile.

On the wall by the window hung the words “SINCE 1976” and a photo of the old house. This space was made by refreshing an old red-brick home, and it was impressive how it retained traces of the former building while styling them for a contemporary mood.

As you enter the café, seating continues naturally along the full-height windows. Red railings and tiled floors add accents, and there is a range of seating, from tables for two with curved wood chairs and round tables to clear acrylic chairs, fabric benches, and black stools.

Farther inside, hanging plants and gentle lighting came together to make the atmosphere even cozier. At the very back, black leather sofas, orange fabric sofas, and low tables made a comfortable spot for several people to sit and chat.

By the window, wood benches and solid-wood tables ran along the red tiled floor. Warm sunlight came through the large windows, and round cushions on the benches made it a comfortable place to rest while looking outside.

A Terrace with a Green View

There was also a compact terrace outside on the second floor. Red folding tables and chairs gave it a different atmosphere from indoors, and on a nice day it looked like a great place to sit and take your time.

The surrounding trees and Uicheon scenery were all visible at a glance, so it seemed perfect for a leisurely outdoor break on a fine day. The red used throughout the interior and the terrace chairs also blended naturally, giving the whole space a sense of unity.

Uisagye Menu

The Signature Dessert Is Czech-Style Trdlo

The menu to watch at Uisagye is trdlo (TRDLO). Often called chimney cake, this traditional Czech dessert is made by wrapping dough around a special mold and baking it, so even the preparation process felt a little different from typical bakery items.

Original trdlo costs ₩5,500, and there are various flavors including cinnamon, chocolate, cheese, and injeolmi (roasted soybean powder). The chocolate version uses Valrhona chocolate for a deep flavor, while the cheese version is savory and soft.

Chimney gimbap (seaweed rice roll) is a brunch item with Emmental cheese, jambon ham, and arugula. Along with chimney gimbap, there are ice cream, cakes, and various drinks, so it is easy to enjoy anything from a light meal to dessert. At the counter, a La Marzocco espresso machine and several grinders made me feel that the coffee menu was prepared with care too.

My Order: Iced Café Latte

I ordered an iced café latte that day. Espresso and smooth milk came together in an easy-drinking flavor. If you prefer a nutty, soft latte to intensely bitter coffee, this is a style you can enjoy comfortably.

As I drank my coffee and looked around, I felt this was more than simply a place for a drink—it was designed for enjoying the mood of an old house alongside the scenery of the seasons.

A Display Case Full of Desserts

Besides chimney cake, the display case held various items including cookies, individually wrapped desserts, cheesecake, and chocolate treats.

They looked good for choosing one at a time for a quick bite or to take away. Below were apple and grape juices, probiotic drinks, and character drinks, so adults could choose coffee and dessert while children could pick a drink to their taste.

A Café for Taking a Break Near Uicheon

This time I ordered only a café latte, but on my next visit I would like to try the signature trdlo too. Since it is baked warm, I was especially curious about the texture of a freshly made one.

Final Thoughts

Uisagye was a café with a distinctive design that preserved the atmosphere of an old building while adding red stairs, varied furniture, and natural scenery flowing in through large windows. I also liked that it has both indoor seating and a terrace, so you can enjoy a different mood depending on the weather. If you are looking for somewhere to take a short break after walking around Uicheon, or want coffee and dessert in a space a little different from the usual café, Uisagye is a café in Ui-dong worth remembering.