5 Cool Cafés to Take a look at in Seoul



Seoul is among the international’s maximum colourful capitals, welcoming its guests with a mixture of trendy and conventional.

BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Pictures through Tanya Nanetti

It simplest took a couple of hours within the town for Seoul to thieve our hearts. Beautiful and colourful, with its towering skyscrapers blended with conventional villages and classy neighborhoods flanking imperial websites, Seoul is a town to discover in its entirety, catching all its stunning sides.

However South Korea’s capital isn’t just a good looks for the eyes. It’s a town to enjoy with all 5 senses, with a Ok-pop band enjoying on your headphones whilst you pattern one of the crucial native cuisine like tteok-bokki and bibimbap, washed down with soju and makgeolli. However for many who need to discover some other scrumptious beverage, many strong point cafés and roasters brew scrumptious espresso in surprising places scattered right through town.

The front entrance to Fritz has stairs leading up to a glassed in front room, and a wooden sign outside with their cute seal (the animal) holding a coffee cup.
Fritz Espresso Corporate gives pourovers and fresh-baked pastries in its welcoming café places.

Fritz Espresso Corporate

I knew about Fritz Espresso Corporate even earlier than I visited Seoul, due to its endearing seal-shaped mascot that pops up every so often on social media. After a protracted red-eye flight, this used to be the primary espresso forestall of the travel; I opted for the Dohwa location in Mapo-gu district. I used to be captivated through the gorgeous house: a hidden courtyard, a standard two-story development, and a heat internal that smelled of freshly baked pastries and freshly brewed espresso.

I thankfully began the morning with a flat white and a chocolate scone, and later had a V60 and a kouign-amann cake. Fritz temporarily was my go-to breakfast spot on the town, alternating the Dohwa café with Wonseo, some other stunning location that stocks house with the Arario Artwork Museum.

Dorae Knot has gray marble countertops and walls, and a black espresso machine.
Proprietor Ryan brewing espresso at Dorae Knot.

Dorae Knot

In Seoul, the most productive coffees appear to move hand in hand with probably the most stunning places—as is the case at Dorae Knot, a design house now not a long way from the fashionable Hongdae house. Named after one of the vital conventional Korean knots, Dorae is a neat house, all grey marble, picket, and glass. It welcomes consumers with its quiet, heat environment and lovely Sixties soundtrack—a super position to spend hours studying a ebook or spending time with buddies. Ryan, the younger proprietor, is the easiest host: Pleasant and a professional, he’s satisfied to oblige if you happen to’re enthusiastic about finding out extra in regards to the scrumptious espresso he makes.

And if you’re within the house later, come again for a pitcher of herbal wine paired with do-it-yourself ice cream. You gained’t be apologetic about it.

A man pours water into a pour over with a goose neck kettle.
Hyunwoo Jang prepares espresso at his store, Flick On Espresso.

Flick On Espresso

Additionally within the Hongdae house, Flick On Espresso used to be a gorgeous wonder to find after lunch. This brilliant house targeted only on espresso (as is the case with many institutions in South Korea) is a one-person display. Proprietor Hyunwoo Jang prepares tasty light-roasted coffees from around the globe like Japan’s Leaves Espresso Roasters and Denmark’s L. a. Cabra. Along a wonderfully brewed clear out, at Hyunwoo’s recommendation I attempted an ultra-fruity double coffee from Ethiopia served with 2g of brown sugar to stability the acidity with slightly of sweetness—an enchanting twist.

A bright room with low wooden bench with small white tables and black chairs, and built-in bookshelves.
Within the “hidden“ mezzanine room at Namusairo.

Namusairo

Namusairo is among the oldest strong point espresso institutions in all the nation, with greater than twenty years beneath its belt. That is some other of the ones unusual puts that by some means appears to be so commonplace in Seoul. The distance is inconspicuous, a super mixture of conventional picket and trendy white furnishings. A small patio divides the counter room from the seating house and a small mezzanine that lies virtually hidden on 3 small picket steps.

Nevertheless it’s now not simply the distance that makes Namusairo particular. The baristas are type and a professional, the espresso on be offering is impeccable, and the complimentary batch brew is a small reminder of the way distinctive Korean hospitality will also be.

Hanging strings of glass or crystal in the entrance of a cafe.
The Seongsu-dong community is understood for classy areas, and the crystal front at Puff Out is not any exception.

Puff Out

Seoul has many fashionable neighborhoods, however none more than likely feels as thrilling as Seongsu-dong. Thought to be through many to be the “Brooklyn“ of Seoul, right here outdated warehouses and auto restore stores are scattered amongst new hip cafés and colourful boutiques.

In only some blocks, many cafés compete to be the best house locally. Whilst it’s unattainable to discover a winner, without a doubt Puff Out stands proud as probably the most espresso stores with probably the most placing design, particularly due to its front that appears like a bath of crystals.

Within, the distance is hip and comfy, and the espresso providing is composed of inventive signature beverages served along vintage coffee beverages. It’s a perfect position to begin exploring the community espresso scene.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s now not in the back of the espresso gadget (or visiting some hidden nook of the arena), she’s busy writing for Espresso Rebellion, a web page about strong point espresso that she’s developing along side her boyfriend.

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