Seochon Village in Seoul, where past meets the present, has some of the best cafes hidden amongst the alleys of this beautiful place!
Stretching from the western corner of the Gyeongbokgung Palace to the foothills of Mount Inwangsan lies the Seochon Village. It is one of the retro villages where you will experience the past colliding with the present. The village consists of some of the most popular neighborhoods like Tongin-dong, Chebu-dong, Sajik-dong, Ogin-dong, Tongui-dong, Pirun-dong and Hyoja-dong. It also houses the famed Tongin Market along with several well-known restaurants.
However, if you are searching for spots to grab a quick bite, then you should know that Seochon Village also boasts many charming cafes. Here are our top five cafe recommendations for your visit to this majestic village.
Bear Café 베어 카페
This is a hidden gem located amidst a beautiful landscape. To be specific, it is a natural garden in the heart of a Hanok that is conventionally designed.
When you go through the wooden entrance, you will feel that you have become a part of old Seoul, although the interior of this café is maintained simple and modern. To put it another way, it is a Hanok café where tradition is craftily mingled with modern art.
The café also has a bookstore that showcases and sells books independently published. So, it is a great place for book lovers to spend some valuable time with their favorite books while sipping deliciously flavored coffee at a reasonable price.
The eatery tends to grow packed in the afternoon, so go early in the morning if you want to have a pleasant and relaxed time. Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays as it remains closed on those days.
Aux Petits Verres 오 쁘띠 베르
You have probably heard the name Park Joon Woo if you are from Korea or enjoy watching food shows from other nations. Oh yes, we are talking about the Master Chef Korea semi-final winner. Well, he is the owner of this cafe, and it is definitely one of the major reasons why this café is so popular among both locals and tourists.
However, the cafe also guarantees delicious food, primarily sweets. If you go there, we strongly advise you to try the sweet and sour lemon tart as well as the meringue cake. You can also taste the Belgian wines and beers with which Park Joon Woo believes he has an emotional bond. Park himself is a nice guy who greets each and every customer with open arms. You will undoubtedly get a sense of being at home.
This dessert café has a European flair in terms of decor. It is a small space, yet really cozy. Overall, the atmosphere is pleasant, and you can easily plan to spend some quality time here.
Brotherco 브라더코
Brothero is an out-of-the-ordinary cafe located near Gyeongbokgung station. The fact that this location has no owner is the key reason for its uniqueness. In other words, the venue is like a free gallery and self-serve café with a snack bar where you can drink and eat food for free. All you have to do is make a donation of 5,000 KRW, 10% of which is dedicated to needy children.
The whole ambiance of the cafe is quite antique, with brick walls and wooden seating arrangements. You will see lots of pictures of children all around. Overall, it is a nice way to enjoy some decent snacks while doing some social work.
Kopitiam 코피티암
If you are looking for a brunch café, this is a good place to consider. It is actually a chain with other branches located at various places, and they maintain a decent standard everywhere as far as food is concerned.
The brunch menu is good, which also consists of various desserts. The prices are kept moderate, making it one of the best cafes in Seochon Village. You can try out the berry cream toast. If you choose Singapore coffee, we recommend pairing it with Kaya toast because the flavors compliment each other well. There are several drink options available as well, but you have to order that separately.
As for the seating area of the cafe, it is huge. There are several group chairs available which makes it a good place both for a huge family gathering or an official group meeting. In fact, do not get surprised if you catch many customers with laptops enjoying brunch while getting their office work done.
That being said, you can also spend some alone time there. If you find the interior to be overlycrowded for your liking, you may choose to sit outdoors.
The café is clean and well maintained with professional staff. Overall, it is one of the best cafes in Tongui-dong, Seochon Village in Seoul.
Dae-o Book Store 대오서점
If you are from Seoul or the surrounding areas, you may know of the famous bookstore turned cafe – Dae-o Bookstore. For the rest, this place is the oldest bookstore in Seoul. It is operated by a grandma named Gwon O Nam. She is a lovely person who smiles warmly at all of her customers. The exciting news for the tourists is that the Dae-O bookstore today houses a café and has the best Americano coffee in the area.
Gwon’s grandson runs the next-door shop “Ttaengmoppan,” which is very popular for the refreshing Thai-inspired watermelon juice.
The decor of the entire venue is reminiscent of a bygone era, complete with well-preserved books. It is natural and one-of-a-kind, with no artificial enhancements. In fact, the place has mostly remained unmodified for almost 60 years. And because of its appearance on IU’s album and a picture of RM from BTS resting on the floor, the entryway to the courtyard has become a favorite photo site for all.
The café is ideal for those who want to soak up the atmosphere while munching on some delectable beverages. Please note that they may not accept cards here, so it is best to carry cash while visiting this place.
Conclusion
Seochon Village in Seoul is a scenic village with a lot of eateries, but the above-mentioned cafes are the most unique and hence unmissable.
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