Seoul Coffee is a popular and Instagrammable cafe that is tucked in one of the alleys in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, a must-visit neighborhood in Seoul which is filled with many beautful cafes, local shops and underrated eateries.

A hanok-themed cafe, Seoul Coffee aims to create an atmosphere that is reminiscent of Seoul in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Step inside Seoul Coffee and you will be greeted by the scent of aromatic coffee and desserts.

Seoul Coffee is best known for its iconic butter loaf breads—available in two flavours: milk and squid ink—which come with two slabs of butter.

Other than that, they also have a selection of desserts (prices range from 4,500 to 7,500 won) including Chocolate Fudge Cake, Cheesecake, Tiramisu and Cube Ice Cream.

It goes without saying that Seoul Coffee serves excellent coffee. From hand drip coffee, to cold brew, and flat white, Seoul Coffee has got you covered with their quality brews (5,000 – 7,000 won).

You have to include Seoul Coffee in your list of cafes to visit in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. It is one of our favourite cafes in Seoul to have a coffee and dessert while enjoying some time off.

Seoul Coffee
166-31 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-6085-4890

Anguk-dong in Seoul is one of the few neighbourhoods in Seoul where you can see an interesting juxtaposition of old and new architectural styles, featuring traditional Korean houses made from bricks contrasting with modern shop fronts.

Its favourable position near tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village has made Anguk-dong a popular destination among those who are interested in culture and cafe hopping.

Here are 8 Places To Check Out In Anguk-dong, Seoul.

#1 C FLAMINGO

Aesthetically pleasing desserts are everything but where better to enjoy them than C Flamingo? The dessert cafe at Anguk-dong may not have real flamingoes but it certainly has an appealing array of cakes and beverages.

64 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-722-3454
Nearest Station: Anguk

#2 CAFE BORA

One of the better-known dessert cafes in Anguk-dong, Cafe Bora’s speciality is their Purple Sweet Potato Iceflakes which is essentially bingsu made with sweet potato. Other bingsu flavours you can get there are Green Tea and Strawberry.

For those who are not a fan of bingsu, Cafe Bora offers other sweet treats including Sweet Potato Ice Cream, Steamed Sweet Potato Bun and Chickpea Ice Cream.

75-3 Yulgok-ro 3-gil
Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8613 5537
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#3 DODO

Visitors are welcomed by the sight of a lovely front garden as they walk into dodo. The cafe specialises in coffee, but you can also find food like tacos (W6,000), hamburger (W7,000) and their signature waffles (W13,000) on the menu.

Bukchon-ro 5-gil
119-1 Samcheong-Dong, Jongno-gu
Tel: +82 2 737 7236
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest station: Anguk

#4 GLOBO COFFEE FAKTORY

We are letting you in on a little secret that we found out at GLOBO Coffee Faktory—there is a secret hideout nestled within the cafe! Just looking at the modern entrance of the cafe, we could hardly believe our eyes when we found out that there is a hidden spot that looks almost like a traditional Korean tea house.

GLOBO Coffee Faktory roasts their own coffee beans in-house with a large probat roaster and guests are able to choose up to seven different types of coffee beans from around the world.

17 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil,
Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-722-6269
Daily: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#5 HIT THE SPOT BAKERY

You cannot miss this two-storey French bakery which serves an impressive array of artisanal fresh bakes. If you cannot decide what to order, go for their best seller which is the Ice Cream on Brioche.

#6 MUKSHIDONNA

Mukshidonna Tteokbokki is a simple Korean restaurant that focuses on serving stews in a communal pot, and the stew is up to you to customise. The base is basically the same stock, and you pick from an array of ingredients to go into your pot.

It has several outlets in Seoul—including Garosugil and Hongdae—but you should dine at the original outlet at Anguk-Dong.

74-7 Yulgok-ro 3-gil,
Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 723 8089
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#7 O’SULLOC TEA HOUSE

O’sulloc is a tea salon in Seoul that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island, with branches in Myeongdong, Apgujeong, Insadong and Daehangno. With green tea as the core ingredient, the cafe offers ice cream, tea, green tea milk spread and more.

There are also tea accessories sold in the stores for you to purchase as souvenirs or for individual use back at home.

170 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 732 6427
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk 

#8 RADIO M

Another dessert cafe at Anguk-dong neighbourhood, Radio M is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. Their attention is focused on three things only—coffee, desserts and bingsu. If you are not intending to stay for long, you can also grab a cup of coffee, tea or smoothie on the go at their takeout counter.

128-4 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 737 4669
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

It is difficult to pick the trendiest neighbourhood in Seoul. There is Gangnam for those who are into nightlife, Garosu-gil for its amazing concept cafes and Hongdae, which is a shopping paradise. Needless to say, these popular districts have an energetic and vibrant atmosphere which appeals to many young Koreans and tourists.

However, there are days when we prefer to be away from the crowds and during times like these, we head to Gyeonridan-gil (also spelt as Kyungridan-gil or Gyeongnidan-gil) in Itaewon instead.

Located just 10 minutes away from Myeong-dong by taxi, Gyeonridan-gil is a charming neighbourhood which boasts cafes, restaurants, bakeries and multi-concept stores. If you have not been there before, here are 16 cafes at Gyeongridan-gil you need to add on your bucket list.

#1 BAKEHOUSE

Previously known as 89 Coffee Bar, Bakehouse is a bakery nestled on the ground level of a building that has two dining concepts under one roof. The bakery cafe extends to the ground floor and that is where you can find fresh bakes such as their popular croissants, beautiful cakes and sweet milk bread.

If you are not keen on that, there is also Social Table—a beautiful restaurant and bar offering European tapas food.

22 Hoenamu-ro 13-na-gil, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#2 BERKELEY COFFEE SOCIAL

A small, yet cosy cafe for you to unwind and get a cuppa. Bookworms will enjoy their stay there as they get to choose from a collection of magazines and books at Berkeley Coffee Social.

17 Hoenamu-Ro 13ga-Gil, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 792 2048
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#3 BIG STEP COFFEE

There is something about Big Step Coffee that attracted our attention at first glance—the use of steps as its main seating area. As you face the main bustling street and watch the people pass by, there is no obligation to make small talk with anyone.

260-141, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tue to Thu: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong/ Itaewon

#4 BLOOMING LONDON

Blooming London is as British as it can get—serving Sunday Roast (W15,000), Cottage Pie (W15,000) and British Red Curry as part of their menu. Their primary clientale consists of expats, tourists and young locals.

28 Hoenamu-ro 13ga-gil, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 10 2792 5317
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong/ Itaewon

#5 CHANSBROS COFFEE

Near to Noksapyeong Station, Chansbros Coffee lies on the main street and its convenient location is precisely why the place is always packed with customers. Specialising in coffee and tea, it is a place for serious coffee drinkers.

561 Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8869 6353
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#6 COFFEESMITH

The expanding number of Coffeesmith outlets in Seoul is a testament to its popularity. Take your time when you go through their comprehensive drinks menu—with so many choices, you will definitely find something that you like there.

43 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 794 6740
Sun to Thu: 10am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 10am – 2am
Nearest Station: Itaewon

#7 CONTE DE TULEAR

At first glance, Conte De Tulear seems like an ordinary gift shop selling perfumes and candles but we realised that there is also a cafe where you can get brunch and handcrafted beverages as well. The photogenic interior makes it the ideal place for a catchup with your friends over afternoon tea.

260-117, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8846 8490
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 11pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#8 ECLAIR BY GARUHARU

Who doesn’t like pretty eclairs? Not us for sure! These French pastries are works of art and we almost couldn’t bear to eat them. Some of the flavours you can find there include Salted Butter Caramel, Yuzu, Chocolate and Earl Grey.

247-9 Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 337 8090
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#9 EVERYTHING BUT THE HERO

Die-hard Kdrama fans would definitely have heard of Jo In Sung who starred in It’s Okay That’s Love and will be interested to know that Everything But The Hero is owned by the actor’s brother. The chic cafe has a good selection of caffeine-based drinks and pastries on their menu.

210-68 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 792 7909
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#10 FLAT IRON

If you are not looking for something heavy, Flat Iron is a great place to stop by for some bites. The sandwich cafe has a decent menu featuring Roast Beef, Pulled Pork, Smoked Salmon and Chicken Panino.

Hoenamu-ro 13-gil, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 791 7587
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 9pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#11 FRANK’S

Having tea at Frank’s is every girl’s dream come true. Guests are surrounded by bouquets of pressed flowers while they indulge in aesthetically-pleasing desserts. One must-try item is their rainbow sponge cake.

258-228 Itaewon(2)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8156 5459
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Itaewon

#12 MSMR

MSMR’s European-style shop exterior comes in the sweetest shade of baby pink which makes for great OOTD backdrops.

Venture into the shop and you will find a colourful array of fashion apparels that are neatly stacked together. When you are done with shopping, head to the mini cafe inside for a drink.

247-1 Itaweon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8888 0321
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#13 N DEAR

n dear is a modern Bohemian cafe that will bring out the inner hipster in you. The cafe features clean furnishings with a white tile countertop and splashes of colour statements from the flowers, potted plants and colourful seating.

If you are in need of a caffeine boost, n dear has a decent selection including Americano (W5,000/ S$6.02), Caffe Latte (W5,500/ S$6.62) and Cappuccino (W5,500/ S$6.62).

247-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#14 OUR COMMUNE

You may not notice it on the main street but Our Commune is more than just a cafe offering good coffee and fresh pastries; the five-storey building also consists of a gallery and a Japanese homeware shop. Another insider tip you will be keen to know is that their rooftop is open to the public who can sit on benches as they enjoy the cool breeze.

225-142 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 792 8764
Tue to Thu & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 12 Midnight
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#15 STANDING COFFEE

This takeaway coffee stand is reputable for serving excellent espresso drinks and their signature blue lemonade drink. Do not be surprised if you are greeted with a long queue, especially during rush hour as many locals enjoy a cup of coffee-to-go before work or during meal times.

568 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 794 0427
Daily: 9.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Noksapyeong

#16 TEN MINDS

An artistic cafe situated along the hill, Ten Minds is where you will find mostly groups of young people who enjoy the comfortable vibes of the cafe. Guests can choose to sit at high tables, on grey cement steps or lounge in one of the many colourful bean bags that are provided.

Cool off from the summer heat with their iced coffee drinks, sparkling juices and desserts.

5-25, Itaewon-dong, Yongsangu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 2 2051 1245
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s guides on the best places to visit in the city.

The streets of Seoul are packed with many independent cafes, of which most are beyond outstanding—in terms of both aesthetics and the wide range of coffee and baked goods that they offer.

Yet, it was not hard to decide which cafe was our favourite among all. Cafe Onion in Seongdong-gu neighbourhood—also known as the Brooklyn of Seoul— checks all the boxes that we are looking for in a cafe. The industrial-themed cafe has their own bakery and an open rooftop terrace for guests to chill at.

For those who are visiting Seoul, you cannot skip Cafe Onion for anything in the world. Read on to find out why this is our all-time favourite cafe in Seoul. 

Before Cafe Onion was born, the same building was previously used for many other purposes, including a supermarket, a repair shop and a metal factory. The chic industrial-themed cafe that you see today is a reflection of its past, with cement floors, stained grey walls and chipped red bricks.

Having an in-house bakery means guests are able to enjoy warm pastries that are freshly baked from the oven.

We noticed that their staff is quick in refilling the trays, so just be a little patient if the item you are looking for is out of stock.

Most of the tables on the ground level are catered for communal dining, so expect to share tables with other visitors. Despite so, there is ample space for you to move around or have private conversations with your friends.

There are also sofa seats for those who wish to lounge around and laze the afternoon away with a drink and some light bites.

Head further in and you will notice that there is a sunny courtyard accompanied with long wooden benches. This spot is perfect for those who visit during colder days as you can bask in the warm glows of the sun.

Cafe Onion’s rooftop terrace is where busy locals unwind after a day of work or school. The cool breeze and calm ambience help you to forget about the pressures of life as your attention is focused on excellent coffee and food instead.

It feels like you are being teleported into another world as you watch the crowd hustle down the streets and hear the background hum of traffic.

Cafe Onion is perhaps best known for its Pandor (W5,000/ S$6.02), which is a pastry topped off lavishly with icing sugar. The airy pastry was decent and we enjoyed having it as a sweet treat with iced coffee.

Cafe Onion offers a range of house brews such as Cappuccino (W5,000/ S$6.02), Flat White (W5,000/ S$6.02) and Cafe Latte (W5,000/ S$6.02).

Otherwise, go for other beverages including Pineapple with Coconut Water, Carrot Juice (W5,000/ S$6.02) and Matcha Latte (W6,000/ S$7.22).

Cafe Onion
277-135 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga
Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Seongsu

For more recommendations, read our Seoul food and travel guides featuring the best places to visit.