If you’re visiting Seoul and looking for a unique coffee experience, you have to check out the hanok-style coffee shops in the metro. These coffee shops are set to look like a traditional Korean home, called hanok, and offer a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, Korean style!
What sets these coffee shops apart from other cafes is the unique experience it offers. By combining traditional Korean architecture with modern design, these cafes are a perfect blend of old and new. You can enjoy a delicious specialty coffee and their house-specialty pastries while immersing yourself in Korean culture and history.
Here are my top picks for hanok-style coffee shops in Seoul.
1. Cafe Onion Anguk
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, 계동길 5
Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 계동길 5
Cafe Onion Anguk is located in a hanok, a traditional Korean house, near Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, making it the perfect spot for a cultural and culinary experience.
Cafe Onion Anguk offers a delicious range of baked goods. I ordered the pizza bread, which is the perfect combination of soft, chewy bread, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese. And if you’re looking for a refreshing drink, the iced latte is a must-try, made with specialty espresso and chilled milk, this drink is perfectly balanced and oh-so-refreshing.
2. Cheong Su Dang
Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로11나길 31-9
Cheongsudang in Ikseondong is this charming cafe tucked away in a historic alleyway and offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
One of the highlights of Cheongsudang is their cafe americano, which is made with high-quality citrusy espresso and perfectly brewed to achieve a fruity flavor. But the star of this cafe is the must-try item on the menu, the Castella Souffle – a fluffy and light Japanese-style cake made with egg, sugar, and flour. The cake is baked fresh and has a delicate texture that melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect treat to pair with most famous Korean coffee drink “Ah-Ah”, and it’s easy to see why it’s a customer favorite.
You’ll spot a line outside the cafe so be sure you’re be prepared to wait and stand in queue.
SAVE BIG BY BOOKING YOUR NAMSAN TOWER TICKETS WITH KLOOK! CLICK THE PHOTO TO BOOK NOW.
3. Hanok Rangseom (Langsom) Ikseon (한옥랑솜 익선)
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, Supyo-ro 28-gil, 21-6 1층
Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 수표로28길 21-6 1층
One of the highlights of Hanok Rangseom (Langsom) Ikseon is their Einspanner, a popular coffee drink in Austria made with espresso, whipped cream, and a dash of cinnamon. The coffee is brewed to achieve a smooth and rich flavor that pairs well with the cafe’s homemade whipped cream. It’s the perfect drink to pair with the seasonal strawberry shortcake, which is made with fresh and juicy strawberries and delightfully balanced with light and fluffy cake layers.
The cafe’s interior is a perfect blend of traditional Korean elements and modern design. Wooden accents and earthy tones create a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
4. Cerulean Insa / Kotton Seoul
Address: 17 Insadong 12-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 관훈동 인사동12길 17
Cerulean Insa/Kotton Seoul Cafe is this trendy modern hanok-style cafe located in the vibrant neighborhood of Insadong and offers a menu that celebrates the art of coffee-making with a creative twist.
Cerulean Insa/Kotton Seoul Cafe offers specialty drinks, which are crafted to achieve good balance of flavors. The “Camo” is a popular choice, made with heavy cream, espresso, and matcha. The creamy texture of the heavy cream complements the bitterness of the espresso and the earthy flavor of the matcha, creating a unique and delicious drink that’s perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up.
Another must-try item on the menu is the “Berry Forest,” made with heavy cream, espresso, matcha, and strawberry puree. The combination of the sweet flavor of the strawberry and the earthy tones of the matcha and espresso create a refreshing and satisfying drink that’s just fruity amazing.
Which one would you try first on your next trip to Seoul?
