Hello everyone! After getting positive feedback on my last post about cafes in Korea, I decided to make a part 2 for it. Korea truly surprises me with every cafe that I visit. They never lack in elegance or being straight up extra. As a disclaimer, not all of these cafes are in Seoul nevertheless, they are still worthy of my list.
1. Boudoir Coffee House:
This cafe is in Gangnam, located near Mamma Mia Cafe (see my previous post for deets). It's more known for the tea despite the name. The prices were pretty steep (6,000-14,000 KRW per pot), but Gangnam is an expensive area regardless. The decor in the cafe was stunning, draped in silky white curtains and a giant chandelier in the center. The decor resembled Greek architecture and the chairs were a Tiffany blue which tied everything together. Their menu (English menu available) is very extensive offering any black, white, or herbal tea you can imagine. They also have milk tea which is a very popular hot beverage in Asia (we have a version of it called "bubble tea" in America). My friend and I ordered two types of tea; one was a black tea with cinnamon and floral notes, the other was a vanilla milk tea. The best part about this cafe is that we got to pick out our own tea pot and cups from a cabinet, that I thought served as just a decoration. I highly recommend this place if you're an avid tea drinker.
2. Be Our Guest Cafe:
From the name of the cafe, you can probably guess the theme of it. This one is located in Hongdae (one of the most famous shopping and entertainment districts in Seoul). It's adorned in Beauty and the Beast figurines and has classic Disney movie theme songs playing in the background. Each floor of the cafe is vibrantly painted and decorated with even more movie related props. For drinks you can order the usual coffee beverages. They also offer specialty drinks named after characters from the movie, but we really came for the desserts. There were two types of sponge cakes; one that tasted like a strawberry shortcake, and the other was a cookies and cream concoction. The cakes were wrapped in plastic, and when you unwrap it, the velvety frosting flows all over it like when you cut open lava cake. Some of my friends who have been to the cafe said it wasn't worth the price, it was more of a good photo opp. I personally thought it was delicious, and price range was between (4,000-9,000 KRW).
3. C27 Cafe:
Here's to another cafe in Hongdae located outside exit 2 of the Hongik University station. Shout out to my local friend for introducing this gem to me. It's located on the 3rd floor of a department store with a Fila and Olive Young (Korean beauty store). This cafe doesn't have a specific theme like most I've been to, but it does have a roller coaster running through it. There's tracks and loops going from one end to another. There's even a car that you can take a picture in the center of the cafe. Everything about the design was so sleek and classy with windows overlooking the bustling city. The coffee options are basic, but the main attraction is the massive selection of delectable cheesecakes. I stood in front of the glass case for 5 minutes trying to narrow down my choices. The selection includes; ricotta, New York style, red velvet, tiramisu, matcha, and more. The cheesecake was hands down perfection. It wasn't overwhelming sweet or too rich which is something I have really learned to appreciate about Korean desserts. I ended up going with the ricotta and this death by chocolate slice (I can't remember the actual name). The price range wasn't too bad, between (4,000-8,000 KRW).
4. Plant:
I have always been a bit bias when it comes to the vegan or vegetarian diet however, this cafe definitely changed my perspective. You can find Plant in Itaewon where a set of stairs will take you up to this super cozy establishment. The cafe is very rustic with a variety of plants decorating every corner and windowsill. I've been here twice, but ordered different things each time. There is a variety of food options from pasta, salads, wraps, and desserts. The first time my friend and I went, she ordered the carrot cake and I got a some sort of snickers deal. The second time I went, we got a bean burger with a gluten free bun, fries and salad on the side (not pictured, sadly). Each visit has exceeded my expectations of vegan/vegetarian food. Honestly, you wouldn't even know the difference, that's how spectacular the food is. Be aware that this is Itaewon so this place is expensive (5,000-15,000 KRW). I'd say if you want to splurge and get something that tastes a bit more like home, this is your best bet.
5. Cafe Or:
I have no idea why I didn't include this in my part one post, but here we go. This cafe is located in Anjung about 9 minutes from my apartment. When you arrive at this location, there are two cafes right next to each other. The larger one resembles an old warehouse, called The Archive Cafe. It has a large selection of Korean baked goods and a nice view of the river, whereas Cafe Or is smaller and cozier. The first floor reminds me of a tree house with the interior design. The second floor is totally different, as if you walked into a cartoon world. All of the furniture and walls are painted black and white to give off that 2D effect, making it another insta worthy cafe. As far as the food and drinks, the options are standard for caffeinated beverages, such as a latte, americano, cappuccino, and einspanner (I seriously wish it existed in America). As for the food, they offer some savory options like traditional Korean rice cakes in spicy sauce (Tteokbokki), and some sort of fish stew. For desserts, the options are nothing less than delectable. They offer a really rich chocolate fudge cake, a New York style cheesecake covered in this velvety milk sauce, and a waffle sundae. The waffle dish has two different options; one with whipped cream and various types of fresh fruit, the other is a chocolate disaster of fudge ice cream, Oreo cookies, whipped cream, and wafer sticks. The waffle is so crispy on the outside, yet fluffy on the inside. I have no words for how incredible it tastes, just experience it for yourself. Prices here are standard ranging from (5,000-12,000 KRW).
6. Cafe Murmure:
Last but not least, Cafe Murmure located 15 minutes from AK Plaza definitely deserves a spot on this post. The cafe is decorated with succulents and other types of flowers giving it this rustic, farmhouse aesthetic. The menu isn't big, but they do offer sweet and savory dishes. Both of my visits have consisted of eating breakfast. My friend and I swear by the waffles covered in blueberries, mangoes, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with whipped cream on the side. The waffles are made to order so they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. We paired our confectionery breakfast with an iced chocolate latte and a cappuccino. The amazing owner will draw a cartoon character on any hot beverage of your choosing. Prices here range between (4,000-10,000 KRW).
Thank you for reading this post, perhaps you will find it helpful for a future trip to South Korea. Stay tuned for more posts as I document my life living abroad :)
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