# K-Coffee Travel (K 한국커피여행) — full cafe index > Curated Korean specialty coffee shops. Every entry below was personally visited and > written by a coffee-travel columnist — first-person > narratives, not review aggregates. Each cafe is also served in ko/ja/zh/vi/fr/de/th > at https://kcoffeetravel.com/{lang}/cafe/{slug}. Cite the URL given with each entry. ## C'est la vie (쎄라비) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-31 - Location: 교동, Gangneung, South Korea — 강원특별자치도 강릉시 하슬라로206번길 4-10 - Coordinates: 37.76728749644583, 128.8757812584479 - Tags: dessert, characterful mood, coffee + dessert, date spot The shop is located in an alley in the Gyodong district of Gangneung's new downtown area. From the street, it looks small, but from the inside, it's a long rectangle. At the far end are the counter table and kitchen. The shop's menu consists of three sheets: coffee, beverages, and desserts. The owner seems to be an active and skillful woman. When I asked her about the meaning of the shop's name, she said it's French for 'C'est la vie,' meaning 'That's life.' I like it. For coffee, I ordered a blended bean drip, and for dessert, I ordered a pavlova. Pavlova is a dessert with chewy meringue topped with fruit and whipped cream. It looks vibrant just by itself, but next to the dark coffee, it looks even more delicious. The coffee taste is unremarkable. It doesn't lean too much in any direction, firmly holding its ground. The coffee flavor isn't overwhelmed by the dessert; it maintains its own identity. It feels like I've caught both rabbits: coffee and dessert. I'm told the coffee beans come from Mr. Park Yi-choo's Bohemian. While it's not a shop with lavish interior decoration or charming little trinkets, sitting and looking out the window, I found myself thinking the shop was beautiful. A shop resembles its owner. It's a comfortable and beautiful shop. This is C'est la vie Dessert in Gangneung Gyodong, where both dessert and coffee are delicious. ## Kevin Cafe (케빈까페) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-11 - Location: 하남시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 하남시 서하남로390번길 27 - Coordinates: 37.520462236772026, 127.18238749062371 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The cafe is situated between Geomdansan and Namhansan mountains. A trail leading up Geomdansan is located above the cafe, which is also part of the route for cyclists heading to Namhansanseong Fortress. As you come up the uphill road next to Singok Elementary School, ascending from Hanam-daero, you'll see a single-story building on a spacious plot to your left, just before the school. This is Kevin Cafe. As you climb the wooden stairs and the cafe door opens, you're greeted by a spacious interior with long wooden tables leisurely arranged, and the view of the yard and lush greenery outside the window is refreshing. In the distance, the ridges of Geomdansan, covering half the sky, are vibrant with green. Inside the kitchen, there's a separate roasting area. A coffee system diagram made of pipes is drawn on the wall, and next to it, there's a painting and writing by artist Noh Seo-won. It's about time. "Time and Time: What is time to us? Among the countless essential elements for our survival on this earth, such as sunlight, air, and water, time is also an inseparable condition. However, I believe the way people use and perceive this time varies greatly. For convenience, we refer to time as past, present, and future, and further delineate it into year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. Yet, time, like an invisible transparent thread or air, must be flowing somewhere, long and wide, without even a fleeting gap. And things that flow away and never return are usually precious and beautiful, just like our lives... I hope that while you appreciate this, it becomes a time to ponder about time as a gift." - Attached to 'Conception of the Work'. Both the writing and the painting evoke a feeling. I ordered a drip coffee made with Colombian beans. The lively barista brewed the coffee for me. The balance was excellent. Sipping the coffee, I gazed at the spacious, quiet interior, the greenery outside the left window, and the red awning in front of the right door. Is this what comfort feels like in an unfamiliar space? Both my body and mind relaxed. The aroma of coffee spread calmly, like a lake. As I was nearly finished with my coffee, a woman came in and bought some beans. She had Guatemalan beans ground and packaged, and the aroma was lovely. Kevin Cafe, at the entrance of Geomdansan in Hanam City, offers good coffee and a brief, pleasant respite. ## Appointed Coffee (어포인티드커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-12 - Location: 의정부시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 의정부시 신흥로257번길 22 - Coordinates: 37.739138834657, 127.041909324509 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, date spot The shop is located in the commercial area west of Uijeongbu Station. The blue blinds and tables blend well with the white walls and coffee cups. The owner, who is the sole proprietor, is very kind. The shop has been open for about two and a half years, and I heard that while there weren't many drip coffee shops in Uijeongbu previously, they're becoming more common recently. There were several types of filter coffee, and I ordered the Panama Elida Geisha Anaerobic Fermentation beans. Anaerobic fermentation is also known as ASD (Anaerobic Slow Dry), a method where oxygen is blocked for 6 days, carbon dioxide is sealed in, and then it's slowly dried for 30 days. The Geisha cup notes are listed as jasmine, blackberry, plum, and rum. While a flamboyant flavor is the general consensus, today's taste had excellent balance. The aroma, neither heavy nor light, seemed to be submerged in the coffee before bursting in my mouth. It's a delicious coffee. The reason filter coffee is called 'hand drip' is because its taste is significantly influenced by the barista who brews it. In that sense, even with the same beans, each coffee is unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this Uijeongbu-style Geisha coffee, made by an owner who has been in Uijeongbu for a long time. Appointed Coffee in Uijeongbu-dong, Uijeongbu-si, is a clean and comfortable place with delicious hand-drip coffee. ## Lim Jong-ho Coffee (임종호커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-13 - Location: 삼송동, 고양시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 파주시 탄현면 평화로 914 - Coordinates: 37.786897957700056, 126.68869104037437 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, resident-run, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is located inside a commercial building in front of an apartment complex in Samsong-dong. The buildings in the commercial district of this new city are almost all rectangular, about three stories high, and as monotonous as the apartments themselves. People find comfort in monotony; our brains don't issue alarms where there's no change. Inside, the shop is entirely wood-paneled and a bit dim. The store isn't very large, with only four or five tables, but the partitioned roasting room in the back is quite spacious. It seems to be used not only for roasting but also as a training center, as there are tables and plenty of extra space. Outside, I noticed a wooden sign that reads 'Coffee Bon Barista Academy.' Lim Jong-ho Coffee also has a branch in Paju and specializes in specialty coffee. Even on Chuseok morning, the shop is full of people. I see everything from large families to a grandmother who came alone, and middle-aged couples. It's a glimpse into a changing aspect of Chuseok. A single female barista is busy by herself. There are six types of beans, displayed in glass jars for customers to smell. I ordered the 'Colombia El Paraiso Lychee,' a coffee with more flavor notes than body or nuttiness. A savory aroma wafts from inside the shop, perhaps from baking cookies. Sitting on a chair in front of the shop, I gaze at a sliver of blue sky between the apartments and commercial buildings. The clear sky enhances the taste of the coffee. Sunlight streams into my transparent plastic coffee cup, illuminating the coffee before it, along with its aroma, seemed to drift away. Lim Jong-ho Coffee in Samsong-dong, Goyang-si, is where one can enjoy specialty coffee. ## Tea Birds Cafe (티버즈카페) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-26 - Location: 신장동, 하남시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 하남시 하남대로784번길 8 - Coordinates: 37.540243965915, 127.210903124228 - Tags: signature latte, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The cafe is located on the first floor of an alleyway road, a short walk down Hanam City Hall Station from Exit 3 of Hanam City Hall Station on Line 5. It's about 7-8 pyeong (approx. 250-280 sq ft) in size, with several tables of varying sizes. The interior boasts a simple, wood-toned ambiance, and a young male barista works there with a friendly demeanor. Tea Birds is one of a chain, this being its second branch, with many others reportedly in areas like Osan and Pyeongtaek. However, I was told that this particular shop feels very much like an independent coffee shop. Having operated in this spot for 12 years, it seems to be a familiar fixture for the locals. I was informed that they don't currently offer drip coffee, so I ordered a coffee latte. The latte was smooth and savory, with a slightly heavy finish. With two sides of the shop featuring large windows, the street view outside offers a refreshing sight. It was introduced as an affordable coffee shop that one can easily drop by anytime when in the vicinity. With the opening of Hanam City Hall Station and Hanam Geomdansan Station on Line 5 in March 2021, accessibility has greatly improved. This Tea Birds cafe has been confirmed as a convenient spot to visit when exploring Hanam City's downtown area. ## CRT (브라운관) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-38 - Location: 교문동, 구리시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 구리시 안골로8번길 8-26 - Coordinates: 37.5958713516884, 127.131356581465 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, serious specialty The shop is located a little north of Imunan Lake in Gyomun-dong. It's a neighborhood roastery coffee shop on the first floor of a small building facing the road. The interior isn't particularly pretty, nor does it have cute, charming props. The green kitchen curtain, wooden tables, and floor are rather unrefined, much like the shop's name, CRT, which refers to an old TV screen. The owners are a young couple. Both the shop and the couple have a calm demeanor, much like the Gyomun-dong neighborhood itself. As a roastery, they also supply and sell beans, and I hear they run a coffee school. I ordered a pour-over made with Kenyan beans. The beans are light, without strong acidity, nuttiness, or aroma. Although it's a west-facing shop, there's greenery in front, so it's pleasant to watch the shadows of the leaves sway inside in the afternoon sun. If you come to Gyomun-dong, 'CRT' is a coffee shop where you can experience an analog sensibility, just like this neighborhood. ## Coffee Natural Specialty (커피 내츄럴 스페셜티) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-40 - Location: 행신동, 고양시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 고양시 덕양구 용현로53번길 8-4 - Coordinates: 37.61771658755234, 126.83546743504608 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel, serious specialty The shop is on the first floor of a commercial-residential building in Haengsin 2-dong, close to the Han River. The rusted sign and the appearance of the entrance give it a Seongsu-style vibe. Inside, the roasting area and the retail space are separated, with coffee bean sacks, seemingly weighing about 20 kilograms each, stacked on white angle shelves. By the window next to the coffee bar table, various coffee tools and accessories are displayed, and in the center of the shop, there's a counter with disposable coffee beans and drip bags. The shop is bustling with local customers. From middle-aged and older individuals to ajummas, and men and women in their twenties, a diverse crowd comes and goes. It's immediately clear that this is a popular cafe in the neighborhood. There's a male and a female barista working here. A banner announcing an award from the '21 MOC Competition' hangs at the shop's entrance. MOC stands for 'Master of Cupping.' It's a coffee competition hosted by Monthly Coffee since 2011, where participants must identify coffees with the same aroma and flavor using just one spoonful, and do so quickly. First, one must be able to distinguish subtle differences in bean flavors, which doesn't seem easy. That's probably why such a competition exists. Given that the owner won an award in this competition, one can infer that they possess an exceptional coffee palate. When I asked the owner for a hand-drip recommendation, they offered choices: acidic, non-acidic, or 'something different.' I opted for 'something different,' which then led to options like grape flavor, alcohol flavor, and other unique tastes. Since I chose grape flavor yesterday, today I decided to go with alcohol. It's called 'Colombia Rocoseries No. 23' beans. They described it as a coffee with a whiskey aroma, served iced. I take a sip, savoring the initial taste. A flavor like premium gin immediately hits me. The first taste is strong, with a clean finish. The shop is located at a spacious intersection on a back road, offering a good view. Through the rusty entrance door's glass, I watch the leisurely street scene and people passing by, and, with my 'iced gin (?),' I immerse myself in the unfamiliar neighborhood ambiance. There's a saying, 'first love.' This phrase implies a first-time experience. Travel is similar. The first impression experienced in an unfamiliar place, even if it's right next to where I live, if it's a first impression, it can be called first love. I find 'first loves' in many places. Anywhere is fine, as long as I can experience love. They don't provide coasters or stirrers here. This is a place busy focusing on roasting and coffee flavor. It's a place that harmonizes well with the rusted entrance and the coffee bean sacks visible here and there. A comfortable and casual neighborhood coffee shop, yet a special coffee shop where one can discover subtle coffee flavors—this is Haengsin-dong Coffee Natural Specialty. ## Oros Coffee Roasters (오로스커피로스터스) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-47 - Location: 오포읍, 광주시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 광주시 머루숯길 54 - Coordinates: 37.3637925920401, 127.15831423621 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel Oros Coffee Roasters, Sinhyeon-ri, Opo-eup, Gwangju-si. I arrived, panting, having crossed a mountain, a river, and another mountain. I had imagined it to be a very, very small shop nestled in a quiet suburban residential area, but that was a premature misconception. Not only the shop, but this neighborhood too, was quite different. What is the true identity of Sinhyeon 3-ri? My first impression of Sinhyeon 3-ri, encountered after crossing Taeje Pass from Bundang, was that of a typical suburban town one might find anywhere. However, I had a strange feeling. The village looked like any ordinary small town, yet there was an excessive amount of traffic, and despite not being a tourist area, there was a "food alley." This food alley was called Saenari Meokja Gol, and above it, along the backstreets, were rows of seemingly new multi-family dwellings. No paths connected the food alley to these multi-family dwellings, creating a sense of disconnection. The E-Pyeonhan Sesang apartment complex, which didn't seem to match the character of the neighborhood, formed the backdrop of the village. And then, there was this shop, Oros Coffee Roasters, a rather large standalone building, oddly situated. The customers inside didn't seem to be local residents, and while it wasn't a new town, some parts of it had a new town feel. Suddenly, it occurred to me that this place might be a slightly different kind of border area. Typically, borders are defined by geographical features like mountains and rivers. If this place is different, could it be because it's not beyond a border, but rather right on the borderline itself? Inside the shop, by the kitchen window, there's a small but not tiny roaster. In a corner of the shop, there's a restroom, thoughtfully designed to be in the customer area without feeling intrusive. The male and female baristas are friendly. Matching the weather, I ordered a cafe latte. The latte art is pretty. The coffee flavor is pleasant and smooth. They also offer pour-over coffee, which I'll have to try next time. The article has grown long. My coffee cup is empty. The weather is very cloudy. The sky looks as if raindrops will soon fall. This is Oros Coffee Roasters, a coffee shop located right on the border between Bundang and Gwangju. ## Fraser Coffee (프레이저커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-50 - Location: 구미동, 분당시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 성남시 분당구 구미로9번길 25 - Coordinates: 37.34017906880706, 127.11011856416813 - Tags: signature latte, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel Fraser Coffee Roastery Company's probably only coffee shop. The map shows it as Fraser Coffee Bundang Branch, but since there are no other chain stores, it's fine to just call it Fraser Coffee. The coffee shop is located behind Ogeori Station, in a commercial building on a secondary road. Two young baristas work busily in the small, roughly 5-pyeong (approx. 165 sq ft) store. Customers keep coming. I ordered a latte. The taste is smooth both to the eye and on the palate, and it doesn't stand out aggressively. A nutty and comforting flavor. Since it's near the station, it's difficult to find a seat during lunchtime due to the crowds. Fraser Coffee, a small but delicious coffee shop at Bundang Ogeori Station. ## DuCoffee (두커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-54 - Location: 위례신도시, 위례시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 성남시 수정구 위례순환로 180 - Coordinates: 37.469789653437275, 127.1482742424617 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew This is a roastery coffee shop located in the new city of Wirye, near the eastern Changgokcheon stream. There's a coffee desk inside, and a roasting machine is attached to the outer window. The aroma of roasting coffee wafts even from outside. The young male owner tells me that there's a sparse, barren lot across the road, which will soon be developed into apartments, blocking the view. The current view is indeed pleasant. That side gets good sunlight and is cool. Even with new apartments rising a bit further back, it doesn't feel suffocating, but if they rise right in front, it likely will. By then, I suppose they'll adapt in their own way, and a new market will emerge for this owner. Seeing that coffee is served in disposable cups, it seems they don't use dedicated mugs. Right in front, there's a painting of fruits, supposedly by the owner's elder sister, which suits this shop well and perfectly fits the season. The interior of the shop is simple, as is the trend in modern coffee shops. Many people who come in order Iced Americano. It's said to be an Americano hotspot. While iced coffee is mainly for its refreshing taste, people must like it here because this shop does it particularly well, I suppose. The coffee has a slightly blunt taste; a heavy flavor dominates over other notes. It's not a burnt taste, but it seems heavily roasted, and I wonder if the beans naturally aren't very acidic. It would be nice to come here in the morning, enjoy the bright sunlight outside from the cool, shaded interior of the shop, and listen to fitting music alongside the wonderful painting. ## Red Pipe (레드파이프) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-62 - Location: 파주시, Gyeonggi, South Korea — 경기 파주시 지목로 17-7 - Coordinates: 37.725909069383, 126.692825866911 - Tags: dessert, scenic view, spacious, for the view, coffee + dessert, good for groups This is the 5th-floor rooftop of Red Pipe in Paju. The sunlight is good, but there's also a feeling of heat, which the wind is pushing away. The rooftop has a palm mat floor with about 10 tables and chairs. On the tables are scarecrow-like parasols, folded up because of the wind. Straight ahead, across a strait that looks like a river, an island stretches long to the west. Why does the sea appear hazy and grayish, almost like a tidal flat? The surroundings are refreshing. Even the nearby mountains seem low—partly because the venue is on the elevated 5th floor, but also due to that special something one can only feel on a rooftop. Light pop music flows from a speaker with a hole on one side. The wind gently sways under the warm sunlight. The coffee is decent. I ordered one with acidity. Red Pipe offers not only bakery items and brunch but also wine. On fine autumn and spring days, a drink on the rooftop is well worth the price. Oh, even in May, the sunlight is strong. If you have sunglasses, you'll have an even better time on the rooftop. Red Pipe, a coffee that was a feast for the eyes. ## Jigeum Sumida (지금스미다) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-71 - Location: 다산신도시, 남양주시, Gyeonggi, South Korea - Tags: in-house roastery, signature latte, serious specialty Jigeum Sumida. (Jigeum-dong + Sumida) This is probably the only independent coffee shop in this area, located on the first floor of a commercial building at the entrance to Dasan New Town, facing the Han River. While the building is a typical commercial complex, the scent of coffee reaches you first as you approach. It’s a roastery. The coffee shop has the feel of a workshop. Not just the shop's atmosphere, but also the owner gives off that vibe. The owner is quiet and kind. In the mornings, they are busy roasting. The latte here is neither too heavy nor too light, with a balanced nuttiness and a substantial body. In a way, it strongly resembles the shop’s ambiance. I’ve returned to Jigeum Sumida after a long time. I think I came before winter began, but now it’s already the tail end of winter. The taste is still the same, and so is the owner. There are times when the texture, color, and aroma created by milk and coffee are felt more acutely. Here, it’s always like that. Especially in the mornings, one can comfortably enjoy coffee amidst the quietness both inside and out. That's why I seem to come here occasionally. There aren't many coffee shops with this kind of atmosphere. There aren't many places with this comfort that are also easily accessible by bike from the Han River. The Namyangju bike path is particularly sunny today. When the world is bright, I become bright. When I am bright, the world becomes bright. ## Coffee Place (커피 플레이스) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-64 - Location: 노동동, 경주시, Gyeongju, South Korea — 경북 경주시 중앙로 18 - Coordinates: 35.841436092258704, 129.21179744929205 - Tags: signature latte, dessert, scenic view, for the view, coffee + dessert I arrived at Coffee Place, which YouTuber 'Jjiong' recommended as a good spot to visit on a rainy morning. Outside, a gentle spring rain falls. I see raindrops bouncing off the ground, and the rain is vivid on the rainbow-colored umbrellas of passersby. As cars pass by the large glass window, small, cute splashes of water rise. Today's rain is bright rain. The sky is a bright grey, and the zelkova trees on Bonghwangdae Hill are gaining vitality. Now I understand why 'Jjiong' recommended a rainy morning. ​The coffee is clean. It pairs well with this place. On a rainy morning, I recommend having a cup of coffee while watching the old trees of Bonghwangdae and everything that passes by. ## Gabehyangju (가베향주) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-65 - Location: 황남동, 경주시, Gyeongju, South Korea - Tags: dessert, characterful mood, coffee + dessert, date spot I ordered their signature 'O’rit Grasse'. It arrives in a wine glass with two layers: the top a deep indigo, the bottom white. The top layer offers a unique taste, while the bottom provides sweetness. Bitter at the start, sweet at the end—such is the coffee developer's intention. The shop's front is a long, horizontal floor-to-ceiling window. It's divided by an open wall in the middle, allowing patrons to lean against it and look outside. From the outside, the area behind the dividing wall isn't very visible, making it appear like a narrow, elongated corridor. But once inside, you find people gathered in small groups in the dim interior. This shop’s space, too, is like an 'O'rit Grasse'. ## Hyangmisa (향미사) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-66 - Location: 황남동, 경주시, Gyeongju, South Korea — 경북 경주시 태종로 734 - Coordinates: 35.83905696451933, 129.20838947636537 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, signature latte, serious specialty Hyangmisa—is it the name of a bakery? Given the abundance of bakeries nearby, one might certainly think so. Hyangmisa, I'm told, means 'fragrance and taste, and people.' As you approach the shop, a strong coffee aroma, befitting a roastery, fills the air. They're said to excel at pour-over. They offer a wide variety of coffee beans, but 'Dan-a' is their standard. I ordered a latte with Dan-a. The taste is indeed 'Dan-a' (elegant and refined). It's clean, and the latte art is impressive. The leaf count is high; it's delicate. Since it's right next to Hwanglidan-gil, it's easy to get here if you're in the area. However, the actual sign is tiny, tucked beneath a gym sign, so look carefully. Perhaps it's quicker to spot the coffee shop by looking through its window. ## Cafe Bach (카페 바흐) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-17 - Location: 완산구, Gongju, South Korea — 충남 공주시 감영길 16 - Coordinates: 36.45264295252, 127.123039995413 - Tags: signature latte, dessert, characterful mood, coffee + dessert, date spot The cafe is located by the Jaemincheon Stream in Gongju's old downtown, and the small road along the stream is cleanly paved. Upon entering, the lush greenery outside the large window offers a refreshing view of the Jaemincheon Stream. The cafe's interior has an industrial feel, with several tables and comfortable chairs, making it a pleasant place to sit. The barista is the owner, and the cafe's name is Bach. Classical music softly plays in the background. I hear that their latte and sandwiches are particularly good. I ordered a branded latte and a mozzarella sandwich. The latte art in the spacious cup was large and beautiful, and the taste was somewhat acidic, nutty, and rich. It was a well-made cup. The mozzarella sandwich's highlight is the cheese; the chewy mozzarella cheese pairs well with the slightly coarse bread. It's a delicious sandwich. Gongju's old downtown, along with Buyeo, is designated as a World Heritage site, and Cafe Bach, at Banjuk-dong 247, is a cafe where you can truly feel the essence of Baekje and the charming, tranquil atmosphere of Jaemincheon while enjoying delicious lattes and sandwiches. ## Cafe Fellow (까페펠로우) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-68 - Location: 후포항, 동해시, Donghae, South Korea - Tags: signature latte, characterful mood, date spot This coffee shop feels clean and bright. The shop's atmosphere is a bright off-white tone, with a factory-style concrete ceiling. The shop is entered through a small antechamber filled with chairs, props, and signs. Upon entering, I see two young men in uniform, probably coast guard, chatting. The feeling of being by the harbor gently washes over me. Inside the cafe is a young proprietress. Although it's a small neighborhood coffee shop on the East Coast, the owner's sense of interior design and coffee acumen are far from ordinary. The coffee beans are said to be from Guatemala, offering a slight acidity balanced with a heavy body and nutty aroma. It's similar to the coffee taste found in Mangwon and Hapjeong-dong in Seoul. How can such coffee quality be maintained here? Like the Hapoong Cafe I visited yesterday, a little south of Uljin, I'm once again reminded of how much the coffee standards in Korea have improved. A distinctive feature of Cafe Fellow is that about a quarter of the entire shop space is dedicated to its antechamber, and the coffee cups with handles and small, charming props are quite interesting. It's a very comfortable, bright, and local coffee shop, yet for travelers, it evokes a strong sense of journey. While parking isn't ideal, if you ever come to the East Coast, why not visit here? It's not one of those seaside coffee shops that boast ocean views but offer mediocre taste; instead, it's a cafe like this – one that's closely tied to the lives of local people, offering both style and flavor. ## Huinnyeoul Village Cafe (흰여울마을까페) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-5 - Location: 영도구, Busan, South Korea — 부산 영도구 절영로 194 - Coordinates: 35.0798609205057, 129.043597867463 - Tags: photogenic, photo-worthy The shop is located at the entrance to a alley in Huinnyeoul Village, on the 4th floor of the Huinnyeoul Village Tourist Information Center building. It's clearly a building with a great view. As I ascended the narrow stairs, a scent of coffee wafted at the 4th floor. Through the wide window on the left, the sea, bathed in the afternoon sun, stretched out abundantly. In the kitchen directly ahead, a woman sat reading a book. She was a resident barista. I was told that residents take turns working here. I ordered the signature coffee. I was also told that the shop is small and struggling a bit due to the proliferation of many other coffee shops nearby. Next to the village cafe, I spotted a dessert cafe with a splendid interior. Inside the shop, one person sat gazing at the sea. The signature coffee had three layers, with the bottom layer's emerald color resembling the sea. It was more vibrant and beautiful than in pictures. When I complimented it, I was told that the residents put a lot of effort into making it well. I sincerely hope that this village cafe, run by residents, prospers. We seek out places like this not just for their natural beauty, but also to experience the lives of the residents who live in harmony there. If Huinnyeoul Village hadn't had its alleys, could it have been called Korea's Santorini and become popular? Following the alley, another resident-run shop appeared: Huinnyeoul Jeombbang. ## Coffee Awake (커피어웨이크) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-6 - Location: 금정구, Busan, South Korea — 부산 금정구 부산대학로63번길 46-4 - Coordinates: 35.2298491703913, 129.083855695275 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew, photogenic, characterful mood, photo-worthy, date spot The shop is located right in front of Oncheonjang Station. From the front, it looks very small. But when you enter through the narrow door on the left, a different scene unfolds. I'm told it used to be just the small size that's initially visible. It expanded by taking over the restaurant behind it, becoming the spacious shop it is now, complete with a garden. The interior is large, and the tables are generously spaced, so there's no feeling of stuffiness. Thick bamboo is planted at the entrance, and it's pleasant to look at, as it doesn't lose its green color even in winter. There's also a second floor. The building and landscaping blend various styles, making it somewhat ambiguous to call it purely Korean. Perhaps it's as diverse as coffee origins? Several baristas are busy in the kitchen. Customers come and go without pause, and the shop is full of vitality. At first glance, it shares some similarities with Gangneung's Terarosa, but it's not the same. I wonder what direction Momos is aiming for—to become Busan's Terarosa? Or Seoul's Fritz? Or Libre? I'm curious. What this coffee shop, known for barista Jeon Joo-yeon, will become will be a significant benchmark for understanding how Busan's coffee and Korea's specialty coffee shops are evolving. I ordered a Colombia La Astrea Natural. The coffee has a unique aroma and a good body, but it's not overly heavy. It pairs well with the shop's atmosphere. The barista mentioned it's a bean that tends to elicit strong opinions. It's well-suited for a morning drink. The Oncheoncheon stream flows next to the shop, a pleasant path for walking or cycling. I'll take a deep breath, savoring the coffee aroma, and head towards Oncheoncheon. ## Ritz Coffee (리츠커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-1 - Location: 구의동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 구의로4길 16 - Coordinates: 37.5398966744249, 127.090488188904 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew, characterful mood, date spot As a coffee aficionado, I know Ritz Coffee is somewhere in an alley northwest of Guk-dong Station. For public transportation, coming out of Exit 2 of Guk-dong Station is the quickest way. The shop is small and cozy. The menu is divided into general and specialty options. They carry five types of specialty coffee. Just looking at the menu tells you it's a coffee shop with its own unique style, despite its small size. I asked the barista to recommend a drip coffee, and they said they'd call the owner to ask. Soon, the owner appeared from somewhere. Right away, you could tell he was a true enthusiast. He recommended the Guatemala El Vergel beans, but after looking at the bean bag, he said there wasn't enough and instead recommended Ethiopia Geisha beans. He brewed the coffee with familiar movements. I was reminded again that drip coffee heavily relies on the brewer's touch. Geisha pairs well with ice too. I was freshly reminded, through the coffee brewed by this enthusiast, that summer flavors can go so well with winter. It's all about the handiwork. When I mentioned that I couldn't achieve such a taste if I brewed it myself, they told me they even teach customers how to brew drip coffee. The thought of learning from them, whenever our schedules align, wafted up with the coffee aroma. Even when I asked the staff for the exact location, they just said it was 'somewhere in an alley in Guk-dong.' If you want to try coffee from a true aficionado, 'somewhere in an alley in Guk-dong,' it's Ritz Coffee. ## Cafe Dyne Coffee (카페다인커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-2 - Location: 역삼동, 강남구, Seoul, South Korea - Tags: neighborhood spot, resident-run, authentic local feel The shop is located on the shopping street across from Gangnam Severance Hospital in Yeoksam-dong. Although it's a semi-basement, it's not dark. There's a window on the upper part of the shop wall, and the roasting room on one side is bright. The interior of the shop is unpretentious. What's unusual is the roasting room. The roasting room includes a smoking room. At first glance, they seem to be together, but they are partitioned by glass. It seems like a long time since I've seen a coffee shop with a smoking room. The ventilation must be good, as there's no smell of tobacco inside. The sight of people smoking from within the shop is quite unique. I wonder what it feels like for someone smoking inside the smoking room. The shop has many male customers of various ages. In the quite spacious shop, the middle-aged owner works alone, bringing coffee to your table. The menu is extensive, even offering hand-drip coffee. During lunchtime, the shop was full of people. I watch the owner take orders and bring coffee to the tables. The owner doesn't seem busy at all. Why does he even look relaxed? The hand-drip coffees are categorized into three price points: Special, Premium, and Platinum. I chose Colombia Huila Supremo, a bean in the Special category. The owner walks about 10 meters from the kitchen to place the coffee cup down. I didn't ask specifically about the coffee. The iced coffee was less cool in winter. The flavor wasn't strong; it was pleasant. I look at the owner. The owner is probably a drip coffee enthusiast and a smoker. Cafe Dyne is a cafe that people who enjoy both coffee and tobacco in Yeoksam-dong will particularly love. ## Blue Bottle (블루보틀) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-3 - Location: 성수동, 성동구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 성동구 아차산로 7 - Coordinates: 37.548088279686716, 127.04564285335792 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew, in-house roastery, characterful mood, dessert, photogenic, photo-worthy, serious specialty, coffee + dessert, date spot The shop is located in front of Ttukseom Station Exit 1, a standalone building adorned with red bricks. The store itself is on the basement level, but with the first floor opened up, it offers a great sense of spaciousness. In the center, there's a square-shaped bar table, with regular tables to the left and a workspace to the right. The interior design is industrial. What's unusual is that the shop doesn't offer Wi-Fi, a silent recommendation to turn off your Wi-Fi. Blue Bottle, a multinational coffee shop, arrived in Korea in 2019. Since then, Seongsu-dong has become a hot spot, and Blue Bottle has served as a catalyst for an influx of foreign coffee shops. The shop is filled with many young baristas. For them, working here will be a career boost, much like working at Starbucks. There are two drip coffee options: a seasonal blend and a Vietnamese single origin. I ordered the blend. The dark coffee liquid, filling the drip pot, is serene. What defines the feeling of winter? Heaviness, coldness, serenity… and one more thing: warmth. While summer is hot, winter is a season where one can deeply feel warmth. Blue Bottle's Winter Blend allows you to savor the feeling of winter. Whether alone or with company, Blue Bottle is a coffee shop where you can experience the warmth of winter in the wintery ambiance of the Seongsu-Ttukseom area. ## Lotus Lab (로투스랩) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-7 - Location: 신당동, 성동구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 중구 퇴계로83길 30-14 - Coordinates: 37.5670210445081, 127.018853070687 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew, in-house roastery, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot A unique coffee shop in Jungang Market. The shop is located in a narrow alley in Hwanghak-dong's Seoul Jungang Market. It's in an alley on the periphery, a bit removed from the market's center. The alley has the feel of a market street, combined with the atmosphere of Euljiro's tool streets. In front of the shop, there's a store with 'Real Estate' written on its glass door, and outside the window next door, a rose bush looks rather charming. The interior is wood-toned and spacious. There's a separate roasting room. Lotus Lab also has a branch in Myeong-dong, and they opened this separate shop in March of this year, having sought a suitable place for roasting. The barista, a calm-looking man, works by commuting between Myeong-dong and this location. Rock and roll music plays. By the window, two young women are chatting. I enjoyed the music and coffee standing at the central table, which had no chairs. Coffee enjoyed standing offers a different kind of pleasure. For beans, I ordered the 'Boksakkot' (Peach Blossom) blend. Its aroma is bright and smooth. It's an easy-to-enjoy flavor. While the area around Sindang Station has changed so much that the phrase 'sea change' seems fitting, this place retains its old appearance. If you come to Seoul Jungang Market, if you come to Sindang Station, if you're having coffee, it's worth wandering through the labyrinthine alleys of Jungang Market to enjoy coffee at this uniquely atmospheric shop. Lotus Lab is another distinctive coffee shop in the 'Hipjiro' of Hwanghak-dong's Jungang Market. ## Hondi Brewing Station (혼디브루잉스테이션) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-8 - Location: 양재동, 서초구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강남구 개포로 255 - Coordinates: 37.47934341156041, 127.05025223340125 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, laptop-friendly, quiet / laptop work The shop is located on the first floor of a commercial building near the hill, in the direction of Guryong Elementary School intersection from Yangjae-dong Poei intersection. The center of the store is sectioned off, with about 10 tables spaced comfortably. The composition of the road scenery outside the approximately 50cm square mosaic window at the front of the shop feels stable and comfortable. On the front table of the kitchen area inside, there are several brewing devices, and two baristas. In the shop, there's none of the familiar 'hiss' sound heard in other coffee shops; there's no espresso machine. All coffees are brewing style. Among the menu items, 'Hondi Branded' can be considered an Americano, and 'Cafe Au Lait' a latte. Besides coffee, there are various teas, which are not just filler menu items. The music in the shop is also calm, making it feel like a teahouse, not chaotic. I suspect the owner is someone who loves tea and perhaps approaches coffee from a tea-centric perspective. I ordered the Colombia El Paraiso Lychee coffee beans, which have a lovely fruity aroma. From the dark depths of the extracted liquid, a variety of sour and sweet aromas emerge. The shop's ambiance enhances the taste and aroma of the coffee. Yangjaecheon Stream is close to the shop. A walk along Yangjaecheon and a clean cup of coffee at Hondi Brewing Station seems like a good combination for relaxation. This is Hondi Brewing Station in Yangjae-dong, a place without an espresso machine. ## Chucky Coffee (처키커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-9 - Location: 삼선동, 성북구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 성북구 보문로31길 25-1 - Coordinates: 37.58822373628488, 127.01544361262486 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, date spot The shop is located deep within the commercial street near Seongbuk-gu Office, between Hansung University Station and Bomun Station. Along the spacious commercial road, you'll find grandmothers, young women, grandfathers, young men, and a slender black cat passing by, rather than cars. The shop's facade is a full glass window, with a square-shaped bar table in the center, and a roasting room partitioned by glass in the middle. The overall impression is industrial. This shop also supplies a lot of coffee beans. The owner has long hair and seems to have a unique personality. I heard they moved here after working in coffee near Konkuk University. For the coffee beans, I ordered the Ethiopia Getikum Teppi Washed as a filter. Two cups were presented: an ice glass and a coffee cup. Before drinking it iced, I tasted the coffee and found it smooth and rich. The coffee notes were caramel, hazelnut, and lemongrass. There are four types of single-origin beans, and I imagine each would be delicious. The iced version now seems to add a slight sharpness to the original flavor. It seems autumn is arriving. The area around Samseon-dong, where the shop is located, has the highest concentration of universities in Seoul, including Sungshin Women's University, Korea University, and Hansung University, each with their respective campuses. However, this area doesn't have the vibrant university town atmosphere of places like Sinchon. The universities are often separated by hills, so they aren't closely intertwined. The Seongbukcheon Stream flows between the schools. This autumn, it's worth enjoying a cup of coffee and the season in this neighborhood, where, as written on a local bus stop, time flows slowly beneath the Hanyangdoseong Wall, with Gilsangsa Temple, university campuses, and Seongbukcheon Stream. ## Everyday Coffee (일상적) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-10 - Location: 면목동, 중랑구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 중랑구 사가정로49길 34 - Coordinates: 37.58246518629716, 127.08684663893906 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, serious specialty The shop is located on the commercial street between Sagajeong Station on Line 7 and Noksaek Hospital. At the entrance, there's a wooden deck and tables, and inside, a small roastery machine is visible against the wall. The shop's color scheme is a tripartite blend of orange, white, and peppermint blue. Initially, it was just white, but two more colors were apparently added later. The shop has been open for about three years. Back then, there weren't many coffee shops in the alley, but several more have appeared since. The owner takes considerable pride in the quality of their beans. There are about five types of beans for hand-drip, and I ordered the Honduras Geisha. The black coffee in the drip server harmonizes beautifully with the orange wall. The coffee's flavor carries a gentle jasmine aroma. Roses bloomed in the hair of the woman in the painting on the orange wall, and it feels as if their fragrance is emanating from my cup. Jungnang-gu is a quiet district in the northeastern part of Seoul, nestled between Achasan, Yongmasan, and Jungnangcheon. Stepping out of the shop and looking east, Yongmasan stands tall. Gazing at the low-lying streets stretching out below the mountain, one might even feel as if they've arrived in a provincial town—a unique facet of Seoul. 'Everyday Coffee' is where one can enjoy hand-drip coffee in Myeonmok-dong. ## Coffee Esperanto (커피에스페란토) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-20 - Location: 양재동, 서초구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강남구 남부순환로355길 17 - Coordinates: 37.48598555256939, 127.03564144974891 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, art on show When a comma is needed, the shop is located on the first floor of an alleyway near Exits 3 and 4 of Yangjae Station. Its interior is long and narrow, with tables arranged along wall benches. A small table is placed in front of the door. The shop's design has a 'Seocho-esque' feel; Seocho-gu, situated between Gangnam and Songpa-gu, is known for its sophisticated yet commoner characteristics. Roasting is said to be carried out separately at a factory in Jeonnong-dong. Another distinctive feature is the art exhibitions they host. Currently, they are holding a solo exhibition titled 'Ways of Seeing' by artist Park Seul-gi. The artist works to give form to intangible emotions based on experience, expressing them surrealistically. Through a process of combining images like a collage and re-drawing them, the artist aims to symbolically visualize complex inner worlds. The paintings depict children in various settings and are described as having excellent texture and color. Exhibitions change every two to three months. When ordering coffee, I chose the Ethiopia Koke Honey Iced Coffee, described as a bright style of coffee with light aromatics. The chairs are low with short legs, making them comfortable for resting. Just as the shop's motto states, 'When you need a comma, Coffee Esperanto will be with you,' one can indeed enjoy a moment of respite here. I conclude by saying that I enjoyed an excellent coffee thanks to good beans and a superb barista. ## Ataraxia Coffee (아타락시아) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-21 - Location: 마곡동, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강서구 마곡동로10길 46 - Coordinates: 37.567011973709995, 126.8397308614811 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, irregular hours The shop is located on the first floor of Magok Daebang Central Daebang DMC 1st, near Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station in Magok-dong. The building has a square layout, which can make the interior difficult to spot. The shop's operating hours are irregular, so it's best to check Instagram. Inside, there's only one table, which serves as the focal point. There's a kitchen and a roasting machine, along with a wall adorned with award trophies and various books. The owner is a committee member for the Specialty Coffee Association of Korea's national competition, a judge in various other competitions, and a specialist who has won numerous awards, including the Golden Coffee Award. I visited the shop at 3 PM, and the owner, much like the shop's ambiance, exuded a neat and tidy impression. When I went to order coffee, the owner simply told me to sit and wait without any further explanation. So, I didn't ask for descriptions about acidity, nuttiness, or origin; I just observed the brewing process. The owner's movements were precise and quick, like a smart factory machine, and the diverse use of filters was notable. When the coffee was ready, the owner described it in a single sentence: "It's a coffee of diverse flavors." The coffee beans were 'Colombia El Noble Geisha', served with three vessels: a server with water and ice, and a coffee cup. First, I tasted the water and found it light and sweet. Then, I tasted the coffee and perceived a well-balanced aroma. However, I felt that the water in the coffee tasted slightly different from the initial water. When I mentioned this to the owner, they explained that three different filters were used. The aroma of the coffee beans was described as fading in the middle and then re-emphasized towards the end. Finally, I mixed the ice and coffee from the server. The owner noted that what should have been a single flavor had transformed into three distinct flavors. While enjoying the coffee, I had various conversations with the owner, and their stories about participating in coffee competitions and their books were particularly interesting. I conclude by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the coffee and conversations of the day. This is Ataraxia Coffee, the coffee specialist of Magok-dong, near Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station. ## Returnharu Coffee (리턴하루커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-22 - Location: 천호동, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강동구 천중로27길 70 - Coordinates: 37.5458091380576, 127.137121257242 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is located on the first floor of an alley, a little down from Gubeundari Station in Cheonho-dong, heading towards the Han River. The white-toned shop feels fresh. A long coffee bar spans the front, and several tables are arranged by the window. Wines are displayed on the inner wall, but I was told they are only for sale. The barista owner is there alone. I ordered a warm coffee made with Ethiopian Shimanda beans. The owner said it would take about 5 minutes. Smelling the ground beans, the aroma was delightful. The coffee is extracted using a bypass method, and it took time to slowly brew a small amount. With drip coffee, there’s also the pleasure of watching the barista's handiwork. Just as the coffee started brewing, a customer came in. They ordered an Iced Americano, but when the owner said they’d have to wait about 5 minutes, they just left. The owner said it was fine, but I felt a pang of regret. The drip coffee is also inexpensive; should I order another one? The owner's touch is meticulous. The owner is truly dedicated to drip coffee. The coffee arrived. I slowly savored it while chatting with the owner about various things. Just as the owner said, the warm coffee's aroma and flavor became more pronounced as I drank it. Like the warm coffee, this shop feels better and better the more I experience it. Today, I once again enjoyed a meticulously prepared coffee. Returnharu Coffee in Cheonho-dong is a place I want to visit again. ## Default Value (디폴트밸류) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-24 - Location: 연희동, 마포구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 서대문구 성산로 333 - Coordinates: 37.56614067277951, 126.9273923142198 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, dessert, characterful mood, coffee + dessert, date spot The shop is located on Seongsan-ro, right by the main road. If you look up from below the road, it appears to be situated above an overpass. Inside, the shop is decorated in white, with the kitchen area on the left and the roasting area sectioned off on the right. There are three baristas working—two men and one woman. I hear that the owner, Barista Shin Chang-ho, won the 2022 KNBC competition. And apparently, the three types of beverages (espresso, milk, and signature) he competed with are available at the shop. My order was for a regular latte due to a backlog, and I chose an Ethiopia and Colombia blend. The coffee had a nutty base, giving it a savory feel. This place, Default Value in Yeonhui-dong, is known as a spot where you can enjoy coffee that's recognized by all, including themselves. ## Necessary Coffee (네세서리커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-25 - Location: 일원동, 강남구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강남구 양재대로35길 5 - Coordinates: 37.4900042877209, 127.083437702854 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel Necessary Coffee in Irwon-dong is located on the first floor of the restaurant street across from Samsung Hospital. Inside the shop, behind the kitchen, there's a roasting machine area. The aroma of roasting coffee is fragrant but reportedly not overly strong. Displayed in the cabinets on the left and right walls are the beans and desserts for sale, and both male and female baristas are at work. When ordering coffee, I chose the Ethiopian Guji Shakiso Momora Natural bean, known as an organic bean with good acidity, sweetness, and aroma. Upon tasting the coffee, I noticed a gentle acidity and a variety of flavors. The sweetness was perceptible through my sense of smell, and as the cup neared empty, a sweet and rich aroma emerged. The shop's atmosphere is described as simple and comfortable, slightly bustling but not disorganized. With its relaxed ambiance, offering a variety of beans and desserts, it is introduced as an essential coffee spot for office workers and residents in Irwon-dong. ## Cafe 27 Gram (카페27그램') - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-27 - Location: 상왕십리, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 성동구 무학로6길 4 - Coordinates: 37.5653139170202, 127.030533671051 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, signature latte, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel, serious specialty Despite the downpour darkening the streets, about 20 meters from Sangwangsimni Station Exit 2, heading towards Cheonggyecheon, I discovered Cafe 27 Gram – a beacon of light in a dim alleyway. This small establishment, housing four or five tables and a roasting machine next to the bar, is described as having a clean and tidy interior that brings a sense of calm. The owner is a woman, known for her composed and welcoming demeanor. The cafe's name, '27 Gram,' refers to the weight of espresso coffee beans, a name that reflects the owner's style. Einspanner was introduced as one of the popular menu items, and when I asked the owner about the crucial points for a good Einspanner, she replied that strong coffee and chewy cream are key. While drip coffee can be ordered, the owner, working alone, mainly prepares it when customers request it on not-so-busy weekends. Currently, only Ethiopian beans are available, and I am told I ordered an Ethiopian pour-over to escape the rain. With no one else on the streets due to the heavy rain, I was chatting with the owner when another customer entered and ordered two Einspanners for takeout. As the owner prepared the drip coffee, it was described as having a balanced acidity, nutty flavor, and aroma, with a beautiful scene of light seemingly blooming from the center of the coffee cup. Drinking the coffee and conversing with the owner, it felt like a special experience, where the owner, the coffee, and the cafe's atmosphere were in perfect harmony. As the raindrops began to lighten, it was time for me to leave. Stepping back onto the street with a pleasant feeling, I thought of Sangwangsimni's Cafe 27 Gram as the 'Einspanner Dae Jang Geum' (a Korean historical drama known for excellence). ## House Seoul (하우스서울) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-29 - Location: 잠실동, 송파구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 송파구 백제고분로9길 5 - Coordinates: 37.5093821293364, 127.079656719442 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is located across from the Asia Village Apartments in Songpa-gu. It occupies the basement, first, and second floors of a four-story red brick building, and also features a rooftop. On the first floor, a U-shaped kitchen and narrow wooden floor seating line the windows and walls. The basement floor houses a gallery and tables, while the second floor displays books on walls and flat platforms, with several tables available for enjoying coffee. The books in the bookstore are from independent publishers, and there are also many books on the subject of coffee. In the kitchen, three young baristas prepare drinks. There are three types of coffee beans available: two house blends and one from Oso Coffee Roasters. Oso Coffee Roasters beans are roasted by establishments like 'Coffee Roasting Bear' near Hanti Station and are said to have a noticeable acidity. I ordered a latte made with Oso Coffee Roasters beans. The latte was savory and pleasant. After ordering, I explored the basement and second floors. On the basement floor, various people were seated: some studying, some chatting, some simply drinking coffee. It felt like a tranquil space where one could enjoy spending a long time doing something. The second floor, with its diverse exhibition of books, creates a unique atmosphere, perfect for savoring a cultural ambiance. Among the books displayed on a flat platform, I perused 'Surviving Cafes,' which features interviews by author Jo Jae-ho, an interior designer for cafes, with twelve cafes in various locations and environments. The practical stories about cafe operations seemed intriguing. House Seoul is operated by a company called Cafe Show, which is known for organizing many coffee events at COEX. This space is said to be a complex cultural venue introducing coffees from various related coffee shops. On a nice day, it would be pleasant to drink coffee here and then take a walk in the nearby park. House Seoul in Songpa-gu is a space where one can enjoy coffee and book exhibitions. ## Five Brewing (파이브브루잉) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-32 - Location: 내방동, 서초구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 서초구 서초대로27길 15 - Coordinates: 37.4888100547906, 126.994502402895 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee 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. ## Imundong Coffee Shop (이문동커피집) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-33 - Location: 이문동, 동대문구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 동대문구 이문로25길 39 - Coordinates: 37.595472819174965, 127.05733034609645 - Tags: signature latte, hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is located in a narrow alley in the residential area behind Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. It's probably no bigger than 100 square feet, a small shop with long benches both inside and outside the windows. A sign next to the entrance states that only takeout is available due to COVID-19. There are many customers, mostly Hankuk University students. It's a popular coffee shop in this neighborhood. The coffee is affordable, yet delicious and of good quality. In a word, it offers great value for money. To exaggerate slightly, half of the young people passing through the alley seem to visit this shop. The shop is run by a young couple. They also roast their own beans, but they do it off-site, I hear. I ordered their signature 'Ice Geu-geot' (Ice That). It's a rich and sweet iced latte. Plus, it has a strong aroma; I don't know what it is, but it's a scent that keeps drawing me back. After tasting it, I understand why it's so popular. The owner served me a complimentary filter coffee. I was told filter coffee is usually only available on weekdays, but somehow, I was lucky enough to try it. The beans were from Bolivia, I was told. It had a bright and vibrant acidity. Sitting in the alley's shade on a hot summer afternoon, with a gentle breeze, enhanced the coffee's flavor and aroma even more. Across the alley, there's a shop with fish illustrations, a gimbap shop named 'Fish Gimbap'. The gimbap rolls are as big and substantial as a large mackerel. If you're hungry, it might be a good idea to eat 'Fish Gimbap' first, or even enjoy the coffee with the gimbap. This is Imundong Coffee Shop, a coffee shop loved by Hankuk University students. ## Coffee Roasting Bear (커피 볶는 곰) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-34 - Location: 대치동, 강남구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강남구 선릉로68길 12 - Coordinates: 37.49903562193124, 127.05280764851257 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is located slightly off the main road in the commercial-residential area northwest of Hanti Station. Cars drive along the narrow, rain-slicked side streets—many cars. It's a neighborhood with a lot of traffic, which is to say, it's a Gangnam neighborhood. The area around Hanti still retains much of its early Gangnam character. Multi-unit dwellings and commercial buildings from the 80s and 90s, many people coming and going, a mix of sophisticated shops and practical everyday stores—all this gives people a sense of comfort. The long, rectangular shop isn't large. The kitchen is on the left of the entrance, and three tables are placed further inside. The roaster is by the window, and coffee beans are displayed in front of the kitchen table. The labels on the bean bags specify the type of water used, including Samdasoo and Baeksansu. Honestly, I hadn't paid much attention to what kind of water was used, but when I asked the barista, they said that the water used for extraction does affect the coffee's taste to some extent. The shop primarily uses sodium-filtered water. Well, coffee does 'drink' water, so of course, the taste of the water would be important. On one side of the kitchen, there's a machine (which seems to be a water station), with levers labeled 'Hydrogen', 'Carbon', 'Sodium', and 'Raw Water'. It seems to be used for manipulating the levers to filter water. A fan rotates on the ceiling, and there are no particular props or distinct interior features. It has a bit of a workshop feel. I ordered today's coffee. It was Panama beans, I was told. The first taste was acidic and light. It went down smoothly and comfortably. There were two women in the kitchen, and a rather portly man, presumably the owner, was in the shop. He was engrossed in some work, looking at his laptop. He had a gentle demeanor. The owner seems to be involved in roasting, lecturing, and various other coffee-related activities. He looks busy. A comfortable neighborhood coffee shop where you can enjoy coffee in a not-so-spacious place—that's Hanti Station's Coffee Roasting Bear. ## Iroom Coffee Project (이룸커피프로젝트) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-37 - Location: 불광동, 은평구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 은평구 불광로 76 - Coordinates: 37.61365824477194, 126.93217900699604 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is on the second floor of a roadside building, on the road from Bulgwang Station to Dokbawi Station. The interior, likely an office before, feels open and spacious with no other structures besides a ceiling fan. Many of the customers are young men and women. The baristas are two young men, both owners. While there might be pros and cons to working together, I imagine it offers the advantage of generating and experimenting with more diverse ideas related to coffee. I ordered a drip coffee made with their signature house blend. I heard the beans come from Coffee Place in Gyeongju. A rich aroma lingered in the coffee glass. The taste was somewhat robust, characterized by a sweet flavor that emerged afterward. Beyond the window facing the road, I could see the neighborhood shops, multi-family homes, and apartments of Bulgwang-dong. The silhouettes of passing vehicles occasionally reflected in the glass. Bulgwang-dong may not be a young neighborhood, but Iroom Coffee Project is a young coffee shop, thanks to its young baristas and customers. ## Second On The Floor Garage (세컨온더플로어가라지) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-39 - Location: 화양동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 동일로26길 52 - Coordinates: 37.5445929725734, 127.068667026692 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, signature latte, serious specialty The cafe is located in front of a daycare center, nestled deep within an alley in Hwayang-dong, across from Konkuk University Station. The first floor is a garage, and the second floor is the cafe. As the name suggests, it is literally 'the second floor above the garage.' If the garage shutter is down, it's quite difficult to spot. It doesn't seem to be a case of deliberate mystique; you'd understand once you meet the owner. It's simply the nature of its original location. Upon entering the cafe, a bar table immediately comes into view, and you're greeted by the owner's bright expression and gestures. To the right, through a large window, you can see the daycare center. In front of the daycare center are two lush trees, with a low white fence between them. It’s not a grand vista, but it’s quaintly beautiful, much like children. A roaster is situated between the bar table and the window. If you sit at the spot by the large window, you can fully appreciate the modest alley view. Vegan cookies are also available at the bar table. The owner's apron is thick. He looks somewhat like a workshop craftsman, or perhaps even a daycare teacher. He is always cheerful and full of energy, making conversations enjoyable. I ordered a Guatemala iced drip, recommended by the owner. The glass and the coffee equipment on the bar table harmonized well. The weighty white grinder, transparent dripper, white kettle, and the kitchen and owner forming the background somehow brought a sense of peace to my mind. The Guatemala single-origin coffee dissolved into my mouth with an unassuming aroma and flavor. It had a refined and dignified taste. The owner mentioned that the degassing was done very well. Degassing refers to the process of releasing gas after roasting beans, and good degassing is said to highlight the characteristics of the beans. One more thing: the straws used at the cafe are aluminum, not disposable. While it's great for the customer, I worried about how they would clean them, so I asked. Despite the inconvenience, they boil them. This detail clearly reflects the owner's consideration for the environment. Second On The Floor Garage in Hwayang-dong is a charming, eco-friendly coffee shop that brings a sense of peace to the heart. ## Bonanza Coffee Gunja Branch (보난자커피 군자점) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-41 - Location: 화양동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 능동로 239-1 - Coordinates: 37.5516413661698, 127.0762036634822 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot Several excellent coffee shops have opened in Gunja-dong this spring, and Bonanza Coffee Gunja Branch is one of them. It's right next to Children's Grand Park and Sejong University. Bonanza Coffee is reportedly a brand famous for specialty coffee in Europe. The Bonanza in Berlin was even selected as a coffee shop to visit before you die. I don't know if it's worth traveling all the way there, but the Bonanza in Gunja-dong seems worth visiting at least once. In May, a barista team from Berlin reportedly visited for an event. Bonanza Coffee is housed in a four-story red brick building. There are identical buildings on its left and right, making a total of three structures. The building on the left is said to be solely for roasting, while the blinds are drawn on the right building, so I don't know its purpose. The exterior of the building is European-style, but the interior is modern. The first-floor ceiling is high, like a hotel lobby, with no particular decorations. You ascend to the upper floors via internal stairs, and the second floor is spacious with plenty of seating. It's great for long conversations or getting some work done. From the first floor, you can see the roasting machine in the left building, which is surprisingly large. It's black, like a steam engine, with several white exhaust pipes extending outwards. I ordered the hot Piccolo Latte, their signature menu item. It's a 1:1 combination of espresso and milk. The Piccolo Latte arrived in a small plastic cup. It looked rich in texture. The first taste had a strong espresso feel, which gradually mellowed out. I didn't detect any particular special flavor from the Bonanza blending beans. The green streetscape visible from the first floor towards Children's Grand Park is refreshing. If you happen to be at Children's Grand Park, it would be lovely to enjoy a cup of coffee at Bonanza and imagine strolling through Europe. ## Trevi Roasters (트레비로스터스) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-42 - Location: 군자동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 군자로 63 - Coordinates: 37.5490247816054, 127.070541686786 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, scenic view, for the view, serious specialty The shop is a three-story independent building with a rooftop. The neighborhood is Gunja-dong, but it's easier to find if you say Hwayang-ri. It's across from the old Hwayang-ri Food Alley. Hwayang-ri is an old neighborhood and hasn't been redeveloped, so there are many old commercial and residential buildings. That's why there are hardly any places in this neighborhood that use an entire building as a coffee shop. Approaching from Hwayang-ri, you see the entire wall of the shop's building, and at first glance, I thought, 'What an old commercial building.' But a surprise awaits at the front entrance. The sophisticated interior, both inside and outside the shop, is beautiful. Another advantage here is the rooftop. From the rooftop, the humble houses and commercial buildings visible to the left spread out low beneath the sky. The open space to the left and right always lets the wind pass through. It's a roastery, but I didn't see any machines. They sell a variety of beans and house-blend drip bags. I ordered an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe iced coffee. The acidity is just right. On the rooftop, where coolness and warmth alternate with the stopping and starting of the wind, the coffee's flavor also repeatedly deepens and lightens. At lunchtime, no one came up to the rooftop. It felt like unfolding a parasol on the terrace of a detached house on a sunny day and enjoying my own time. There are more clouds and wind now. It's time to go down. ## Coffee Imprimatur (커피인쇄소) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-44 - Location: 필동, 중구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 마포구 와우산로10길 40 - Coordinates: 37.5484308236656, 126.924755830065 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, irregular hours The shop is located inside the printing alley near Exit 5 of Chungmuro Station. Although the address is Euljiro, it's a bit removed from the trendy 'Hipjiro' area. It's a run-down two-story building with no prominent sign. It's only open on Fridays and Saturdays. To enter, you need to check the door password on Instagram. 'No peddlers allowed,' the sign reads. They provide four passwords, each revealing a tip for using the shop, so it’s worth checking them out directly. One tip is that since they don’t sell desserts, you’re welcome to bring your own. The first floor is said to be for roasting, and you can drink coffee on the second floor. The room next to the shop is a lecture room; when I arrived, students were gathering. Along the long, rectangular room, chairs are dotted at the coffee bar. The barista is slender and has tattoos on their arm. There are three types of coffee beans. I ordered the Panama Elida Natural Geisha. Only hot coffee is served. They first provide cool water. I rinse my mouth and take a sip. Rather than a flamboyant floral scent, it’s more like the low, rich fragrance of flowers soaked in spring rain. While drip coffee is inherently without sharp edges, this one is truly smooth. The shop's location was originally a printing house, I’m told. The shop's tagline is 'We print your coffee.' Just as coffee is refined in the shop, customers who come to the shop feel refined by the coffee. It’s a coffee shop that prints coffee, Euljiro Coffee Imprimatur. ## Daily Routine (데일리루틴) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-45 - Location: 남영동, 용산구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 용산구 한강대로84길 5-8 - Coordinates: 37.5438926324661, 126.972899164652 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, in-house roastery, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The shop's name is Daily Routine. If you come out of Sookmyung Women's University Station Exit 6 and walk into the alley towards the US military base, you'll see the Namyeong Arcade, which looks like a dark cave. It's inside there. After walking quite a way into the arcade, you'll spot a coffee shop that resembles an old 'Saemaul' store. The shop is so small that the owner is close to the customers. You might wonder if there's a roaster, but it's tucked away in a corner. Roasting probably happens early in the morning or late at night. At first glance, everything might look worn out, but if you look closely, you'll see that nothing—from the roasting machine, tables, chairs, interior, to small props—has been chosen carelessly. It's clear that the owner has considerable discernment and interest in the space and atmosphere. The long-haired owner is taciturn and dedicated to his work. The shop has a retro sensibility, but it has a unique Yongsan feel that's different from the trendy shops in Mangwon, Yeonhui, or Seongsu-dong. Of course, the coffee taste is also excellent. Daily Routine Wake up - Go to work - Work - Leave work - Rest - Sleep. This is a coffee shop that can offer a brief respite in the routine of daily life. ## Normal Cycle Coffee (노멀사이클코페) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-46 - Location: 옥인동, 종로구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 종로구 혜화로 37 - Coordinates: 37.5889644591135, 126.999252721014 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, in-house roastery, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The shop is located deep inside an alley in Ogin-dong. Normal Cycle Coffee occupies the third floor of a small, triangular building that splits the road into two paths. The shop's sign is truly the ultimate version of minimalism. You won't find the ambiguous sandwich boards that trendy coffee shops often display outside. All there is, is a small plaque attached to a tiny door, like a nameplate. In fact, the "CCTV recording" sign is much more noticeable. The opening hours are also hard to pin down. You have to arrive according to the times the owner announces daily on Instagram, or you'll make a wasted trip. I had tried to come a couple of times before but couldn't make it due to conflicting schedules. This morning, I saw a notice that the shop would be open until 2:40 PM, and I rushed over. Winding up a narrow staircase brings you to the third floor. The second floor is an art studio. The interior of the shop is unique. It's only about three pyeong (approx. 100 sq ft), a truly small space, yet it doesn't feel cramped. Perhaps it's because, despite being a proper third floor, it has an open, rooftop-like feel. If only the roof could be opened like a sports car, it would be a complete rooftop. The interior is square, but it somehow feels round. There are large and small windows along the walls. If you count the door, there are windows on every wall, which is a structure rarely seen anywhere. Directly in front is the owner's space, where, upon closer inspection, a small roasting machine and its chimney are tucked away in a corner. It's surprising to see such a small machine. The owner mentioned that he moved in about ten years ago because the conditions—water, ventilation, gas, and so on—were all suitable for roasting. The owner is a man of few words. He seemed gruff, but after a short conversation, I felt he was someone who enjoyed talking. Much like Inwangsan Mountain visible outside the window. If you don't speak to it, it says nothing. If you speak harshly, it returns harshly; if you speak gently, it returns gently. Here, coffee is for takeout only. According to the owner, while this has reduced sales and caused some misunderstandings, he believes it's the best way to sustain the business long-term. Listening calmly, I understood and empathized. A coffee shop is a place where the owner's heart is expressed through coffee. If a customer agrees with that sentiment, they should visit; if not, they shouldn't. The coffee is only drip, and the owner presents a memo with handwritten instructions, asking you to choose from three options. He said to pick whatever catches your eye. The word 'Wild!' on the memo particularly stood out to me. The beans are 'Ethiopia Mocha Sidamo Classic'. The owner mentioned that not only the beans but also the entire process is completely handmade, which might result in a rougher taste. Somehow, I managed to have a sip of coffee in the shop. It's intense. And then, a subtly un-smooth sensation quietly washes over you, like the breath of a wild animal—exactly the taste described on the memo. Through the right window, I could see the rocks of Inwangsan Mountain. There was nothing obstructing the view outside, making it feel open and refreshing. The breeze also came in nicely. I told the owner I wouldn't drink the coffee but would stay a little longer. I found myself briefly immersed in a feeling of relaxation, as if I were in a different space, a different world, like something out of a comic book. I remained still for a moment. This is the power of space, I thought. I told the owner I would come again and descended the winding stairs. Right in front of the three-way intersection, a hanok childcare support center has been built. I'm sitting on its front porch, writing this. I could see Samsung General Building Materials and Sammi Interior directly opposite. Both are renovated hanoks, truly old buildings. The sky was overcast with dark clouds. The sky felt low. There aren't many places left in Seoul where people and the sky feel so close. Ogin-dong is one such place. Oh, and in front of the shop, two gate pillars are embedded in the secondary road. One is on the road, and the other on the neighbor's property. These gate pillars have a long history, so I recommend looking up their story online before you visit. And the dessert in the picture above is called 'Ukisima'. I bought it at An Jihye's Hideout in Euljiro. It's made from rice, and as An Jihye said, it paired wonderfully with coffee. ## Scatter Books (스캐터북스) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-48 - Location: 망원동, 마포구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 마포구 월드컵로11길 44 - Coordinates: 37.5543236756667, 126.908616158312 - Tags: book cafe, hand-brew, filter coffee, quiet / laptop work Is it a bookstore, or a coffee shop? The shop is located in a quiet residential alley in Mangwon-dong, close to Mangwon Station. I happened to drop by. One wall of the roughly four-pyeong shop is lined with bookshelves. In the center, there's a rectangular flat counter, and there are two chairs along the window and two more along a wall. The chairs are quite comfortable. The books are primarily humanities titles. The owner exudes a strong humanistic aura. Their voice is quiet, and they are very considerate. I ordered a Costa Rican drip coffee. It had almost no acidity. Like typical drip coffee, it was clean, but there was something else to it. What should I call it, perhaps deep? Maybe the scent of books had permeated the coffee. Every last drop was clean. In any case, it was a good taste. When I told the owner the coffee tasted good, they seemed pleased. They told me they originally worked with coffee but opened a bookstore because they loved books, and they continue to do coffee alongside it. Kakao Map lists it as a bookstore. The music, with its indie feel, also suits this independent bookstore well. In an alley where cars don't pass and only bicycles or people slowly go by, a shop like this is also wonderful. I also encountered a book here: Ted Chiang's 'Exhalation'. He seems to be a quite famous author in the SF genre. I read just two or three pages briefly, and the writing style is excellent. It reminded me of reading 'The Eclipse' by, who was it, the Japanese author Keiichiro Hirano. The shop name 'Scatter' means 'to sprinkle'. It's a name that embodies the owner's desire to share good books. Having tasted the coffee, it seems delicious coffee should also be added to that description. If you love both books and coffee, Scatter Coffee in Mangwon-dong is the place. ## Push Coffee (푸쉬커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-49 - Location: 중곡동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 자양로45길 24-3 - Coordinates: 37.55232628123028, 127.09123202027496 - Tags: characterful mood, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel, date spot The moment I saw Push Coffee, their signature menu item, I thought: "What is this? Ice? No, a large, round, candy-like ice cube is floating there. How interesting!" The taste is nutty and moderately rich. They've added a special milk to the espresso. So far, so good. But the real surprise comes next. Had I drunk about half the coffee? Suddenly, more ice! This 'eyeball candy' ice cube has a base! Goodness, it looks just like a trophy. A trophy that takes up half the coffee cup, drawing my gaze every time I took a sip. Did I drink coffee today, or did I eat a trophy? ^^ Another delightful coffee experience added to my list. Push Coffee is a small but highly unique coffee shop. One more thing: Push Coffee publishes a newspaper. Affectionately called 'Push Coffee Times,' the content is quite entertaining. The only downside is that it's published only once a year, with the last edition being from 2021. ## Eurostar Coffee (유로스타커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-52 - Location: 엄사동, 강동구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강동구 암사길 41 - Coordinates: 37.551908963796414, 127.13392072603044 - Tags: takeout, great value, quick takeaway The shop is located at a five-way intersection in the commercial alley of Amsa-dong. The coffee prices are incredibly reasonable. A latte costs 3,000 won. That's a price that could buy two cups at other coffee shops. The shop's sales strategy is high-volume, low-margin. The coffee cups are also disposable. Two women and one man work busily. Almost all customers order via Naver before arriving. While the shop isn't exactly small, it doesn't really have a welcoming atmosphere for dine-in customers. As an outsider, I found it comfortable since there were no other customers inside, but the atmosphere felt a bit off. A roaster sits in a corner of the shop. It's a large, gleaming machine. During my roughly 10-minute stay, takeout customers came in non-stop. I wondered if the man's role was roasting, as he wasn't visible, but I kept hearing rattling sounds from inside the storage room. Coming down from the main road, I noticed that this area also seems to be undergoing redevelopment. If everything becomes apartments, will that area truly have value? Korea's urbanization rate is already said to exceed 90 percent. Cities are fraught with problems, yet we must find solutions within them. I wonder if public facilities and commercial areas will be at the heart of this. Many ideas and startups should emerge from places like this. As I drove past, I glimpsed a phrase on a nearby church: "? is not done alone, but together." What could that '?' have been? Prayer, work, love, travel, dreams... or perhaps coffee. ## Bugler Coffee (버글러커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-53 - Location: 중곡동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 천호대로127길 74 - Coordinates: 37.55537003644433, 127.0921535654698 - Tags: dessert, hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, music-focused, coffee + dessert, date spot The shop is located deep inside an alley somewhere in Junggok-dong. It's a semi-basement, so if you don't deliberately look for it, you might pass right by without noticing. I hear 'bugler' means trumpeter. The name suggests something boisterous, but if you sit in the shop for a while, you'll find yourself immersed in the jazz that fills the air. Inside the cafe, there's an LP turntable. The melody fills the space. On a quiet afternoon, I follow the melody here. The music is very palpable. Perhaps because it's a semi-basement, the sound vibrates particularly well. The owner mentioned they play the trumpet. When the owner is present, they say they'll even play customer requests on LP records. The latte art is small and unpretentious, fitting well with the atmosphere of this jazz coffee bar. The shop also sells drip coffee and various small items. Everything is small and cute. If you want to be intoxicated by the melody of jazz, come here. You can get drunk even without alcohol. The trumpeter of jazz in an alley in Junggok-dong. This is Bugler Coffee. ## Achromatic Coffee (애크로매틱커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-56 - Location: 성내동, 송파구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강동구 성내로14길 37 - Coordinates: 37.5262586253302, 127.126365344355 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, serious specialty The shop is located in a residential area in front of Mongchontoseong. The two-lane side street directly in front is a bit wide, giving it a refreshing feel. The shop is on the first floor of a four-story building. The interior is spacious, and the front features lift-up windows, offering a good sense of openness. Inside, there's a considerably large roasting room, with the main shop floor to the right. Many families are noticeable in the shop—parents with young girls, and young people enjoying coffee alone. There are two young male baristas. Sometimes, coffee shops have introductory descriptions, and this one does too: "A specialty coffee professional, serving espresso and brewing coffee prepared by skilled baristas. Roasting is done in a separate space within the shop, and a distinctive feature is the use of dark roast coffee as specialty coffee. They continuously introduce single-origin coffees from various regions annually. Address: 37, Seongnaero14gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul (Seongnae-dong), #103 Phone: 02-577-1664 Opening Date: January 6, 2012" The opening date indicates it's been around for quite a while. The fact that they feature dark roasts as specialty coffee is noteworthy because dark roasts usually imply the use of less expensive coffee beans. Indeed, if coffee is roasted darkly, the coffee varietal often becomes indistinguishable. Yet, they claim to do so here, which speaks to their skill. Currently, I'm drinking a light roast, so I'll have to try their dark roast later to evaluate it. The Ethiopian Guji Samuel Gedeo varietal I'm currently enjoying is a typical Ethiopian type. It has flavor, but it's not overly bold; it's smooth and clean. It's always good for drip coffee. While the interior of this shop is pleasant, there's also a table on a narrow porch-like area facing the side street to the right. Sitting there, watching passing cars and people, and the water feature near Mongchontoseong, with a breeze blowing from somewhere, also offers a delightful feeling while savoring coffee. These days, coffee shops almost always place narrow porches or movable chairs outside. While this might be necessary for space utilization, I think user demand is also significant. Wasn't the origin of coffee shops a space for communication? Places that don't communicate with the outside world become closed off and easily stagnate. There are many such areas in society. I increasingly prefer open spaces. A special neighborhood cafe in Seongnae-dong, Achromatic Coffee. ## Spring Has Come (봄이 와) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-57 - Location: 양평동, 양천구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 양천구 남부순환로 352 - Coordinates: 37.5355640550966, 126.827915889998 - Tags: in-house roastery, filter coffee, hand-brew, book cafe, quiet / laptop work, serious specialty The shop is not easily visible, tucked away next to a Red Sindang Tteokbokki in a large commercial complex beside a school. There's a roasting machine, but it's small. If the roasting machine at Coffee Nanugi, located at the front of the same building, is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, then this one is a scooter. Upon entering, the precariously stacked books on the coffee bar are striking. I asked the young owner about them, and he said he brought them because his studio apartment was too cramped. I ordered a latte. The owner brews the coffee quickly. His hands are light and swift. The blended latte is smooth and nutty. Since Mok-dong is famous for its academies, two neighborhood women at a table inside the shop are engrossed in conversation about academies and their children. Here and there on the shop walls, the owner has handwritten good sentences on small notepads. The notepads, swaying in the breeze that enters through the small door, become poetry themselves. A valley wind blows between the school building directly in front and the commercial complex. The wind is pleasant in the summer. It’s a shop where you can feel the tranquility of a weekend, a coffee shop where you can even rest your thoughts. ## A Cup of Coffee (커피한잔) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-59 - Location: 사직동, 종로구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 종로구 사직로9길 16-1 - Coordinates: 37.57706609381111, 126.9679400412981 - Tags: filter coffee, hand-brew, characterful mood, date spot I ordered a Panama Geisha drip coffee. In a word, it's flavorful. The unnamed fruit scent, honey – whatever you call it – bearing the hot sunlight of the tropics, good aroma and taste are melted into it. I think I understand why people call it Geisha. This place is Pilun-dong. Pilun-dong is a legal dong. Jongno has many legal dongs. The shop is tucked away on one side near the path leading from Gyeongbokgung Station to Sajik Park and up to Jongno Library. It's hidden in such a way that you wouldn't see it unless you deliberately looked for it, so 'hidden' is the right word. A long time ago, the owner ran a stationery store in front of Maedong Elementary School and moved here 12 years ago, I'm told. At that time, this place seemed to have been a paint store. The shop building is a two-story faded brick house, and the sign, as well as the atmosphere, doesn't immediately strike one as a coffee shop. It's not high-tech, just bears the marks of time. Inside, the shop is made of faded plywood, with large wooden tables and chairs haphazardly placed, and various 70s and 80s props like a red dressing table and a wardrobe scattered here and there. In Jongno, such a concept store fits in well. Is there any other place in Seoul with as many traces of long history as Jongno? This place was a famous spring picnic spot in Joseon Dynasty's capital, and many poets and calligraphers have stories here. There's even a record that King Jeongjo, during his time as Crown Prince, came here to enjoy the spring. Seochon Pilundae's local sentiment coffee shop, 'A Cup of Coffee'. On a day when the sunlight is dazzling, or the wind is gently blowing, it would be nice to have a cup of coffee here and recall memories of spring. ## LOF COFFEE (로프커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-61 - Location: 군자동, 광진구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 광진구 동일로 304 - Coordinates: 37.5582528135937, 127.073474893947 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, signature latte, serious specialty LOF COFFEE is located next to Gunja Bridge by Jungnangcheon Stream. The shop is rectangular, and upon entering, you see the coffee bar and, through the window behind it, the roasting machine. The surrounding shops include a car repair shop and a motorcycle dealer. This shop, too, might have once been a repair center; its tone is weighty. The overall color scheme is black, with yellow accents. The coffee cups and the LOF lettering are also yellow. Next to the counter, as expected of a roastery, they sell coffee beans and disposable drip bags. There are beans from various altitudes, as well as decaf. A roastery has its own unique atmosphere. It’s the smell of the machine at work. A sense of weightiness, honesty, diligence… all those things. These days, many places also add a touch of sophistication. A place where coffee’s intermediate production, distribution, sale, and consumption all happen together—a roastery has its own distinct vibe. There are several male and female baristas in the shop. The men primarily seem to do the roasting, while the women brew and serve coffee. Their uniforms are black. There are both acidic and non-acidic coffees, and I ordered the acidic one. Someone at this shop reportedly won a barista award in the winter of 2020, and while the latte art is pretty, it doesn't seem to be his work today. The coffee has a smooth finish; there's nothing that catches in your throat. It's what I'd call a standard taste, the kind of taste a roastery ought to achieve. A ceiling fan spins overhead, and if you stand still, you can feel the gentle breeze. Located on the outskirts of Seongsu-dong, LOF COFFEE is a place where you can comfortably enjoy coffee even on a Saturday. If you like coffee and come to Seongsu-dong, it's worth a visit. ## Deep Blue Lake Roasters (딥블루레이크 로스터스) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-63 - Location: 망원동, 마포구, Seoul, South Korea - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The coffee shop occupies the entire 1st to 3rd floors of a small commercial building. The building's exterior is painted blue. There's a rooftop room on the roof. It's pretty. The 1st floor houses the counter and the roasting workshop, while coffee is enjoyed on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The coffee is not strong, but smooth. Inside the alley, there's the Mangwon Traditional Market, and directly in front, there's a parking lot, causing cars to line up long in the narrow alley. On the wall of the parking lot, residents' poems are hung. ## Refresh Coffee (리플래쉬커피) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-69 - Location: 문정동, 송파구, Seoul, South Korea - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel What kind of city is Munjeong-dong? A typical neighborhood on the outskirts of Songpa-gu, a neighborhood with a legal district sometimes seen in the news, a neighborhood whose name coincidentally matches that of a Joseon Dynasty queen – all of these are true. This area has changed a lot as many apartments have been built and the surrounding Geojeo and Wirye areas have been developed. You could say it feels a bit bustling. Refresh Coffee is located on a side street in front of an intersection in Munjeong-dong. What distinguishes it from other side streets is the refreshing view provided by the strip of green in front. The strip of green that Professor Yoo Hyun-joon talked about is connected to the street here. Refresh Coffee is a roasting shop, and coffee is mostly enjoyed in the shop rather than taken out. The main topics of conversation are academies, homework, children... There are many neighborhood mothers. It's a typical neighborhood shop. There are two staff members in the shop. They are people who give off a generous impression. The coffee taste is a bit heavy, but not high in density. Refresh Coffee is a good coffee shop for locals to refresh their day. And I think this shop will stay in this spot for a very long time, as long as that strip of green remains in front. ## Colored Bean (컬러드빈') - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-70 - Location: 연히동, 마포구, Seoul, South Korea - Tags: signature latte Colored Bean in Yeonhui-dong. The shop's tone is white. The owner's name is Chris. He's a barista from Australia. He runs the place by himself. Basic latte, smooth and light. I wonder if this is what lattes commonly enjoyed in Australia taste like. Ethiopia + Ethiopia Latte. It's similar to Bantyneka beans. The body is a bit heavier than the basic. All cups are plastic. They say that's how it's done in Australia. Flat white comes in a small cup. I've returned after a long time. The owner is still the same. Casual, modern, and boyish. He has started a new factory in Paju Unjeong, so now he's mainly at the shop only in the mornings. He looks very busy. He's also looking for shops in places like Teheran-ro, Gangnam. Soon, we might see Colored Bean in Gangnam. Inside the shop, there's the smell of roasting coffee. It's a blend of Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil. The coffee aroma wafts through the shop's window. A modern and bright shop in Yeonhui-dong, Colored Bean. It's best to come in the morning to chat with the barista. ## Tiger Espresso (타이거에스프레소) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-72 - Location: 이태원동, 용산구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 용산구 녹사평대로46길 37 - Coordinates: 37.537688208475245, 126.98864801029829 - Tags: signature latte, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel I returned to Gyeongnidan-gil in Yongsan after almost 15 years. The street is charming, and many pretty shops have opened. While there are a few new buildings, most are old. The businesses and shops in the buildings have changed. I don't particularly remember what was here before, so I assume they were just local shops. Tiger Espresso, located on the street, is owned by a somewhat older woman of small stature. She isn't very talkative. The small cup on a blue saucer has a 20th-century style. The entrance door is set at an angle, and the kitchen and counter are about one pyong (approx. 3.3 sqm) to the right. To the left, there's a window table and three small round tables along the wall. The flat white's initial taste was similar to Six Degrees in Seongsu-dong. It's a neighborhood shop that, though not flashy, offers an old-fashioned sensibility. I'm told it's been here for 8 years. ## L'Oiseau Yeoksam (르와조역삼) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-73 - Location: 역삼동, 강남구, Seoul, South Korea — 서울 강남구 논현로95길 10 - Coordinates: 37.50241287650951, 127.03509057631736 - Tags: hand-brew, filter coffee, neighborhood spot, authentic local feel The shop is a short walk into an alley in the commercial district from Yeoksam Station Exit 6. Like most shops these days, it only has a small, leaf-shaped signboard, but with its full glass front and right side, it's immediately clear that it's a coffee shop. The interior is more spacious than it appears from outside, offering plenty of seating. During lunchtime, two young baristas swiftly take customers' orders. Youth, indeed, is quick. While I usually order an iced Americano, this shop specializes in brewed coffee, offering five different beans. From these, I ordered the Ethiopia Momora, which has a slight acidity. Looking out the window, the space is entirely filled with falling snow. Inside, it's warm, with everyone immersed in their own stories, while outside, heavy snow falls – a perfect day to accompany delicious coffee. My coffee arrived. In a word, it's delicious. It's a bean with acidity and cleanliness, meeting the conditions of a specialty coffee. Of course, the barista's skillful brewing is fundamental. As I stepped out into the snowy street, I bid farewell, promising to try the Geisha blend next time. It was a day made fresh by the baristas' smiles. ## Cafe Beolteo (카페벌터) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-18 - Location: 서둔동, Suwon, South Korea — 경기 수원시 권선구 세화로162번길 31 - Coordinates: 37.2666606090715, 126.995005629517 - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The shop is close to Suwon Station, situated amidst apartments and large commercial buildings. The shop's atmosphere is simple, dominated by white. Across from the kitchen is the roasting machine area, and there is one male and one female barista. There are three types of beans available, and I ordered the Brazil Burundi bean, recommended by the barista, as an iced coffee. The cup notes listed were green tangerine, rye, pear, and walnut. My first impression was a well-balanced flavor, and as I drank a bit more, the complex flavors became more discernible. To sum it up, the taste is rich and clean, with a subtly charming coffee aroma. Cafe Beolteo is a roastery coffee shop close to the station where one can quietly and comfortably enjoy coffee. ## Roastery Mano (로스터리마노) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-16 - Location: 성신동, 전주시, Jeonju, South Korea — 전북특별자치도 전주시 완산구 고사평5길 24-6 - Coordinates: 35.8374981791389, 127.107592485066 - Tags: in-house roastery, filter coffee, hand-brew, characterful mood, serious specialty, date spot The shop is close to Jeonjucheon in Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si. It's a single-story yellow standalone building, with the kitchen/order area and the retail area separated by a wall. There are plenty of tables, and the walls and ceiling are a clean ivory color. In the order area, there's a not-so-large roasting machine. There are two baristas, and semi-classical music plays softly. The shop's name, 'Mano,' is said to mean 'hand.' This is primarily a roasting shop, and the owner has reportedly been roasting for over 10 years. They offer a variety of bean types, and I particularly recommend them as a shop that roasts 'Santiago,' a small-batch, multi-variety offering. For my coffee, I ordered an iced Colombia San Sebastian Cauca, which they described as having a nutty flavor. This type of bean, they say, offers a calming taste. Various stories flow around me, and this shop serves as a space that holds these stories. Roastery Mano, a stylish coffee shop in Jeonju, with its coffee cups, ivory walls, and large windows, is truly a space for stories. ## Coffee Yu-a (커피유아) - URL: https://kcoffeetravel.com/en/cafe/cafe-67 - Location: 북구, 포항시, Pohang, South Korea - Tags: in-house roastery, hand-brew, filter coffee, signature latte, serious specialty Yu-a is the name of the shop owner. The coffee shop is located beneath a bright blue billiard hall. The shop is yellow and has a kitchen with a window on the left. A small bell hangs on the inside of the front door, adorned with a drawing of a yellow cabin with a small window in a forest. This small cabin, acting like a logo, is also depicted on the coffee cups and napkins. Inside the shop, several tables are spaciously arranged on either side of a central dividing partition. In front of the kitchen and in the shop, one can see various beans for sale and the process of coffee brewing. Their coffee beans are a blended variety. The flavor offers a good balance of nuttiness, acidity, and body. A sweetness pops up between these flavors. Where does this sweetness come from? Which bean is it, or is it a result of the roasting process, or perhaps from the milk? I appreciate this natural sweetness that emanates from the coffee. Inside the shop, there are chatting Pohang women, people engrossed in their own thoughts, and those coming and going with take-out orders. In spring, it would be a happy thing to sit by the window of Pohang's yellow cabin coffee shop—a place a Japanese person might dream of—imagining the sound of wind chimes and gazing at the white spiraea on the roadside.