I feel like wherever I go in the world, I have to find a coffee shop within 5 or 10 miles of where I am living. Or if I'm visiting a new place, cafes are definitely on my itinerary. Coming to Korea, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the coffee culture. I have always equated Asian cultures with tea drinking, but after many weekend trips to Seoul, I have been convinced otherwise. Coffee shops in Korea are on a spectrum of European inspired or very funky and quirky. So, you can basically get the best of both worlds. The only thing that matters is that all of these places are delicious and aesthetically pleasing in their own way. Keep in mind that the places listed are my own personal preferences. Not in any way am I saying these are the be all, end all. I am simply trying to give you ideas, but I am sure you'll find something that fits your preference.
1. C Through Cafe in Itaewon: This was my very first cafe that I went to in Seoul. It was easy to find since I had my friend with me who knows the city quite well. There can be a long line depending on what time you go, because the cafe is so small. I promise you, the wait is worth it. For all my English speakers, there is a menu with pictures, so you don't have to be nervous about not being able to read the menu. The one thing I thought made the menu so unique is that they use pictures from Instagram to show you what the drinks and desserts look like. The price range is between $5-$25 USD, and if that seems crazy, I will show you why in the pictures below. I ordered a hot chocolate which was one of the cheapest drinks on the menu. The presentation of the drink was so simple yet adorable. With a marshmallow and a yellow chocolate shell to resemble a sunny-side up egg. Also, I can honestly say it was the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life. It didn't have a watery texture, it was so rich and velvety. As for my friend, she decided to order the most expensive drink on the menu simply for the experience. It was a basic Americano with an artsy twist. When you order the drink, you can choose any painting from the Mona Lisa to a still-life portrait. My friend went with Van Gogh's "Starry Night" painting. It was absolutely incredible to watch the baristas recreate this famous painting onto a small cup of coffee.
2. Hotel Seine: The Ikeson-dong neighborhood in Seoul offers something so unique, I don't think you could experience anywhere else. This one was super hard to find because it's located within a small market area with tiny alleyways. This particular cafe is made to resemble the glitz and glamour of a 5-star hotel in New York City or London. Whether it's the lobby (where the bartistas' are made to look like hotel staff), the hotel rooms, and lastly the rooftop restaurant on the last floor. I went during Christmas time so everything was decorated for the holidays. There was a little Christmas village surrounded by so many delectable cakes and pastries. Most of the cakes and cookies are French inspired, though some of the desserts to cater to the Korean palette. I ordered two types of cakes and a chocolate Madeleine cookie. The first was a yellow sponge cake with raspberry jam and a graham cracker coating. Because it was Christmas, it was made to look like Rudolph with pretzel antlers, candy nose, and eyes. The second cake was a light, fluffy, chocolate cake with raspberry jam and chocolate mousse. It was thoughtfully decorated with a sugar snowflake, a raspberry macaroon, and a chocolate pearl. The cappuccinos were pretty average in my opinion, but I am sure if I ordered something else it would've been better. For me, my visit was more about the desserts which didn't disappoint me at at all.
3. Carin Cafe in Hongdae: This cafe is made to look like a high-end sunglasses shop. In terms of interior design, it is very clean cut and minimal with a gold and pink backdrop, and twinkly accent lights. But, the desserts and coffee are anything but ordinary. The drink menu had so much to offer with flavors and being aesthetically pleasing. Even if you aren't a coffee drinker per say, you'd really enjoy this place. I opted for this chocolate, mocha latte. It was iced and had a velvety consistency topped with chocolate shavings. My friend ordered a pot of herbal tea with hints of cinnamon, it tasted so comforting for that cold winter night. The most important part as always, at least for me is the desserts. We had decided to go small on the desserts because this place was pricier ($5-$15 USD). I got a salted caramel macaroon which was pretty good, not the greatest I've had. The lego cake definitely made up for that. It was a yellow, poppy seed cake with a berry compote and chocolate mousse. It wasn't too heavy at all, very light and airy, but the flavors were so rich.
4. Cafe Kitsume in Gangnam: This cafe is another hidden gem in one of Seoul's neighborhoods, Gangnam (yes, like the song by PSY). My friend and I passed by this place about five times while trying to find it, because it's literally hidden in an alleyway. The entrance to the cafe is so chic with bistro lights, adorned with moss and hanging plants. The logo of the cafe is displayed on a wall of leaves in neon, cursive letters. This particular place actually doubles as a clothing store with the cafe on the first floor. The options for drinks and desserts were rather limited I must say, but still delicious. I ordered a mocha espresso shot. My friend had the typical cappuccino, our drinks were decorated with simple latte art. However, the dessert exceeded my expectations. We had this spectacular french toast called the, "Merry Berry", topped with a berry compote along with fresh berries, creme fresh, white and milk chocolate.
4. Cafe CF in Songtan: This particular cafe is not in Seoul, it's actually near the U.S. Air Force base. But, if you're an English teacher or a service member living in Pyeongtaek City, it's only 3 or 4 metro stops from Pyeongtaek Station. This place is so cozy and takes you back in time, with it's Victorian era charm. The furniture and decor are so Euro-centric and elaborate, yet so simple and delicate. I do want to mention that this cafe doesn't allow small children. So this place is best to meet up with a friend, or to go on a casual date. There isn't actually dessert options here, but the drinks do an excellent job of replacing that aspect. There are so many crazy and elaborate options to choose from. From exquisite matcha lattes to brownie frappes, garnished with a huge brownie on top. There were way too many options for me to handle, but I chose the cafe vienna which is espresso and whipped cream, garnished with a coffee bean ice cube and cinnamon stick. My friend went for an oreo, chocolate latte which was equally delicious. Even though this cafe only offers drinks, it was such a nice place to have casual conversation and take cute Instagram pictures.
Hope you enjoyed, stay tuned for more posts as I document my life living abroad :)
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