The shop is located in a northwest alley near Naebang Station. As its name suggests, Naebang-dong is an inner neighborhood within Seocho-gu. The area around Naebang Station is densely packed with villas and commercial buildings, and the multi-use commercial-residential buildings clustered in the alleys resemble the heavy infantry units of the Roman army. In a way, it's a neighborhood with a distinct Seocho-gu atmosphere, where commercial and residential spaces are charmingly intertwined.
The shop opened this year, and the head barista is the well-known Do Hyung-soo. He is the author of the book 'Coffee Brewing,' which first appeared in 2014 and reached its 12th printing in March 2022. Considering how quickly things change these days, it can be considered a long-term bestseller. The book explains coffee brewing tools and methods simply and is visually well-edited. It seems very beneficial for those who enjoy brewing coffee at home, and baristas could also find it a useful reference. The following passage from the book's preface is worth pondering:
"Coffee has its own unique color. Its attributes vary entirely depending on which farmer produced it, and through which roaster and barista's hands it has passed. Coffee is so sensitive to even the smallest things that one could say the coffee you are drinking right now is something you will only taste once in your lifetime. This aspect of coffee might seem difficult or unfamiliar at first glance, but it is precisely this that sparks our curiosity—the unique charm of coffee. While anything repeated can quickly become tiresome, coffee has countless variables, allowing us to experience a new richness every time we drink it. As long as you understand the flavors you like, the brewing tools you use, and the individuality of the beans, you can always get closer to your desired brewed coffee."
Indeed, as the author says, the coffee I'm drinking now is a once-in-a-lifetime coffee. Let's enjoy it deliciously.
I ordered the Trendy Processing Coffee (ver 1). It's said to have fruit and berry notes. The coffee is dripped using a pour-over machine. It seems they use an automated machine to minimize variance, as even the same person can have inconsistencies in extraction. Those who prefer the 'human touch' might have mixed feelings.
My coffee arrived. There were two cups on an aluminum tray: an iced and a warm coffee cup. They say that if you order the Trendy Processing Coffee iced, they provide a warm sample alongside it so you can appreciate the aroma.
The coffee, in a word, is refreshing. And it has a sense of balance. If I were to add one more descriptor, I'd say it has a uniform beauty; a consistent taste is maintained from start to finish. The warm coffee cup held a concentrated aroma.
I settled on the first floor, by myself. From downstairs, the loud chatter of various male and female customers could be heard. Listening to these sounds from the quiet second floor, they didn't seem noisy so much as they harmonized with the shop.
If you enjoy brewed coffee, Five Brewing in Naebang-dong is the place to go.