When one is planning a visit to South Korea, what first comes to mind is the shopping. Affordable streetwear, the newest viral K-beauty buys from Olive Young and even merchandise from your favourite Korean idols, Seoul is truly a shopper’s paradise. But that’s not all—the café scene in Korea is thriving, and it’s not to be missed.
Let’s be real, we all know that countless Korean celebrities live off iced americanos. But beyond major chains like Paik’s Coffee and Ediya Coffee, the independent coffee industry is growing at a rapid pace. More coffee shop owners are prioritising quality roasting processes, one-of-a-kind menus, and even going so far as to create unique concepts for their storefronts. From an expansive café house within a hanok to vintage-themed spots, these are five aesthetic cafés to check out the next time you jet off to Seoul.
Ginger Bear Pie Shop
Located in Jamsil, Ginger Bear Pie Shop attracts visitors worldwide. Even celebrities like BTS’s Suga and Day6’s Sungjin and Dowoon have paid a visit—a great reason for a mid-day pitstop, you ask us. The café adopts a vintage European interior with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Beyond their extensive beverage offerings, the food selection features a mix of both savoury and sweet items, such as the classic meat pie and lemon meringue pie.
Elaborately crafted and intricately layered, their desserts taste as good as they look. But be warned, the sweets at Ginger Bear Pie Shop are generously portioned, so choose one to share with a friend unless you’re prepared to skip dinner.
Café Onion
How can we forget about Café Onion? One of the most popular café chains in Seoul, Café Onion has garnered attention not just from tourists but from locals as well, for their delectable lineup of buttery bakes and beverages. They sell a wide variety of baked goods, from the classic croissant to more creative options, including the pandoro—the famed Italian-style bread covered in powdered sugar.
While Café Onion has multiple locations dotted throughout the Korean capital (including one in the hip neighbourhood of Seongsu), we recommend visiting their Anguk outpost, even if only for its stunning interiors alone. The Instagram-famous Hanok-themed space blends traditional Korean architecture with modern minimalism. If you are visiting though, we recommend you get there early as the line begins to snake when it gets to brunch time.
Fritz Coffee Company
If it’s a solid cup of joe you’re after, look no further than Fritz Coffee Company. Situated in Mapo-gu, Fritz is an internationally recognised coffee shop that not only serves up well-balanced coffees and freshly baked treats, but is also a great place to pick up unique mementos from your trip. Fritz’s mascot is an adorable seal, who finds its place on many of their pieces. From apparel and socks to coffee beans and accessories, you’ll be spoilt for choice when visiting this retro-themed café.
Inc Coffee
Located in the Gasan area, Inc Coffee is famous for its beans aged in rum barrels. The café spans three levels, each with its distinct theme. The first floor has an industrial theme while the second floor boasts a garden look. Meanwhile, their topmost floor gives off a futuristic theme and features fun science-lab decor.
Their signature beverage items include the Rum Barrel Latte and Rum Barrel Cream Coffee. They also offer various non-coffee options and an impressive selection of bakes.
Perception Coffee
In the trendy neighbourhood of Hapjeong sits award-winning café Perception Coffee. As its name suggests, it is designed to challenge and expand customers’s perception of what a coffee shop looks like. The café has a unique and striking decor, which is best seen through the textural ceiling adornments, crafted from wood panels.
The same attention to detail is brought over into their list of offerings. With names like Atmosphere of the Place, Temperature in the Day and Memory of the Moment, the café exudes a soothing energy at every turn. Perfect for unwinding after a busy day of shopping.
This story first appeared on HallyuSG; additional reporting by Danisha Liang.
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