Seoul is a cafe hotspot—cafe-hopping is a must for many locals and travellers alike. Here, we’re compiled a guide to the best cafes near Hongdae, Seoul, with snap-worthy interiors, gorgeous desserts, and delicious coffee. For those who are unaware, these cafes are located in the broader Yeonnam-dong district, an up-and-coming area that’s near Hongdae with plenty of aesthetic cafes. Do note that many of the desserts are created based on the availability of seasonal fruits, which means the menu changes now and then.
In terms of ambience, Always August Roasters really hit the spot with their minimalist yet trendy interior. Add a bunch of beautiful potted plants and a breezy space, and you get a haven perfect for reading or having heart-to-heart conversations with your friends.
We got their Oat Latte (KRW6,000/~SGD6.12) in Blend Number Eight. It featured a pistachio base with a hint of caramel, and was one of the most satisfying oat lattes we’ve had to this date. To go along with our coffee, we opted for the popular Hoji Moncblanc (KRW9,500/~SGD9.69). This work of art consists of Korean pear mousse, hojicha sponge cake, hojicha wafer biscuit, and chestnut boiled in rum.
Address: 71 Yeonnam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03975
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Always August Roasters is not a halal-certified eatery.
Peace Piece is a second-level cafe with seats by the window, great for people-watching and enjoying the scenery.
They specialise in pies, so we knew we had to get one. After much thought, we decided on their Blueberry Nights Pie (KRW7,200/~SGD7.35) as it was recommended by the staff. The combination of the slightly charred, crumbly crust and sufficiently sweet blueberry filling was to our liking. We also got their Cherry Ade (KRW6,500/~SGD6.63) and Citrus Sunset Ade (KRW6,500/~SGD6.63) to quench our thirst after walking around all day.
Address: 91 Donggyo-ro 51-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03980
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Peace Piece is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you love einspanner AKA cream coffee, you’ll surely fancy Oats Coffee. They have garnered close to 9,000 followers on their Instagram page over the years, and thanks to their successful growth, they recently opened a second branch at Yeonnam-dong.
We recommend their Einspanner (KRW5,500/~SGD5.61) for a sweet-savoury combination, and a good balance of coffee and cream without one overpowering the other. Desserts are a must when cafe-hopping, so we got their bestselling Cranberry Scone (KRW4,000/~SGD4.08) and Choco Financier (KRW3,500/~SGD3.57) as well.
Address: 29-8 Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03979
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Oats Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @woo_ffee
Decked in wooden furniture and muted tones, Mowarim exudes a serene atmosphere that gives you a momentary respite from the hustle and bustle.
Image credit: @piece.mjeed
It’s a must to get their popular Hoji Fig (KRW9,500/~SGD9.66). This beautiful plated dessert comprises a hojicha-flavoured sable packed with honey ganache, fig and raspberry syrup, hojicha mousse, topped with fresh figs. Pair this with a cup of Americano (KRW5,000/~SGD5.09) or Cherry Black Tea (KRW6,500/~SGD6.61) to temper the sweetness.
Address: 36 Yeonhui-ro 11ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03707
Opening hours: Mon, Thurs-Sun 12pm to 6pm
Website
Mowarim is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @__yooonn
Turndown Service is a vinyl cafe ideal for those with a penchant for retro vibes and old-school tunes. There’s a good variety of vinyl records for you to browse through while waiting for your drinks and desserts.
Image credit: @__yooonn
Get their signature Kernel Latte (KRW6,500/~SGD6.61), which is essentially a latte topped with peanut cream. For desserts, give their Coconut Brownie Scone (KRW5,800/~SGD5.90) or Fig Cheese Scone (KRW5,800/~SGD5.90) a shot for something a little different. Do note that every customer must order at least a drink to get a seat.
Address: 7 Donggyo-ro 50-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03981
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 11pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 11pm
Website
Turndown Service is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @u_jjiny
Braun Haus is a trendy cafe that doubles as a lifestyle shop selling adorable utensils, posters, furniture and more.
Image credit: @_ctcafe10
Their Braun Coffee (KRW6,500/~SGD6.64) is a constant favourite among locals. This signature drink features latte topped with sweet cream. Another item that sells like hotcakes is the Sweet Pumpkin Cheesecake (KRW7,800/~SGD7.96). The smooth pumpkin filling makes the cheesecake creamy and moreish, and is the perfect snack to have especially during autumn.
Address: 25 Donggyo-ro 50-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03981
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Website
Braun Haus is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @haru__y211
Earth Us is an environmentally conscious cafe that specialises in seasonal desserts. Do note that you have to bring your own container if you’d like to opt for takeout.
Image credit: @earth__us
What’s fun about visiting Earth Us is that you can expect a different set of desserts when the season changes. Currently, they have Fig Parfait (KRW12,000/~SGD12.25) and Banana Cream Cheese Cake (KRW9,000/~SGD9.19) on the menu. The former is made using handmade granola and ricotta cheese, and is topped with figs and shine muscat, while the latter features a combination of thick cream cheese and sweet banana cream. There’s also Hot Chocolate (KRW6,000/~SGD6.12) and Passionfruit Herb Ade (KRW7,500/~SGD7.66) as non-caffeinated options.
Address: 150 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03983
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Sun 12pm to 9pm
Website
Earth Us is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @by.caffoor
Monochrome-themed Cafe JAMJAM provides a hip space with drinks and desserts that are in trend with the younger generation.
Image credit: @jamjam.cafe
Aligned with their monochrome-themed interior, there’s the Black Sesame Latte (KRW6,500/~SGD6.63) and Original Crumble (KRW10,000/~SGD10.21) in black sesame flavour. You can also get the dessert in Nutella and matcha flavours! This crumbly mess comprises a soft, thick toast drenched in black sesame sauce, and topped with vanilla ice cream. If you’re still peckish, get the Basil Pesto Pasta (KRW15,000/~SGD15.31) and Truffle Cream Chips (KRW11,000/~SGD11.23) instead.
Address: 24 Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03980
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Cafe JAMJAM is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @com_seoul
Pay a visit to Daechung Park if you’re serious about your daily caffeine intake. You can find a good range of drinks here, including coffee, tea, wine, cocktails and more. The tranquil ambience makes for an ideal spot for me-time, reading, and working.
Image credit: @daechungpark
A cup of Americano here is priced at KRW5,500 (~SGD5.61), while their Vanilla Latte costs KRW6,500 (~SGD6.63). For something unique, try their Basil Lemonade (KRW7,000/~SGD7.14) or Kyoho Grape Green Tea (KRW6,000/~SGD6.19) instead.
Address: 37 World Cup buk-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03991
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 8:30pm, Sat 12pm to 10pm, Sun 12pm to 7pm
Website
Daechung Park is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @eom.2om
At eom, they take Y2K vibes, cute props, and colourful desserts very seriously. Many online reviews tout that you get a stunning sunset view here, and there are even rooftop seats perfect for spring and autumn days.
Image credit: @eom.2om
Get their signature eom Palette Set (KRW15,000/~SGD15.47) for a dessert plate like no other. You get a toast with rainbow cream cheese, a side of seasonal fruits, and a mini cup of panna cotta! There’s also the popular Banana Pudding (KRW9,000/~SGD9.28) and Ice Cream French Toast (KRW12,000/~SGD12.38) for those with a sweet tooth. Else, their Tok Tok Latte (KRW6,500/~SGD6.71) stands out the most for using sugar cane as the star ingredient.
You’ll never run out of cafes to visit if you’re around Hongdae or Yeonnam-dong AKA one of my favourite spots to go for cafe-hopping in Korea. For more overseas food guides, check out our Chiang Mai food guide for $2 curry noodles, Michelin-approved Wagyu pasta and more. Otherwise, read our London food guide for places that are different from your usual tourist spots.
Photos taken by John Lery Villanueva.
This is an independent article by Eatbook.sg
Feature image adapted from @eom.2om, @earth__us and @jamjam.cafe
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