Jongno-gu is the historic heart of Seoul, containing Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong's antique street. The area balances ancient and modern — traditional Korean restaurants, teahouses, and street food vendors operate alongside contemporary galleries and specialty coffee shops. Eating here feels like a connection to centuries of Seoul food culture.
Located on the second floor. Order at the kiosk on the right (in the room?) and eat at the tables in the separate space on the left. The tables are well spaced out, which is nice. It was bitterly cold today, but the interior was warm and cozy, and the wood tones created a cozy atmosphere. It reminded me of an old-school Daehakro cafe. It had a comfort you don't often find in cafes these days. Most cafes these days have backless chairs, which are popular for people who just want to eat and drink, but this one has backs, which is nice. Is this place run by a publishing company? One wall is lined with books, like a study, creating an intellectual atmosphere for reading and drinking coffee. I guess they also offer purchases. The dessert selection is good. Most customers ordered desserts. The table next to me ordered cake and pudding, and the pudding looked delicious. I had a whole chicken, so I skipped the pudding. I had the strawberry cake, which was a bit pricey, but delicious and substantial. The cream wasn't heavy, so it went down smoothly. I recommend the drip coffee with the cake. I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but the coffee beans' aroma was well-presented, as advertised. The aftertaste is clean, which is a plus for drip coffee. The milk tea here was surprisingly delicious. It had a unique aroma. The bathrooms are located indoors and clean. There are separate areas for men and women. The men's toilet is warm. It's not a bidet, just a toilet seat. I thought it was a bidet, so I spent a while searching for the switch. It's in an awkward location, so I thought there wouldn't be any customers, but there was a waiting line. Is this place famous? While ordering, I glanced around and saw that there seemed to be separate areas for the roaster, barista, and pastry chef. Wow. The staff were friendly.
I visited Haksa Dabang, a dessert cafe located on the youth street near Jonggak Station in Jongno-gu. Like its name suggests, the hall is filled with a variety of books, and the seating arrangements are diverse, making it convenient to choose a spot to suit your taste. I finally discovered the dessert I've been curious about, Dujonku, and ordered it with a refreshing matcha latte. There were also strawberry cake, pudding, and other desserts, making it a perfect sweet accompaniment to a cup of coffee. The Dujonku, as I'd hoped, was not overly sweet, contrary to popular reviews, but had a nice crunchy texture that perfectly suited my taste and made for a delicious meal. While the taste was good, the cookies were a bit smaller than I expected, leaving a bit to be desired. The matcha latte I enjoyed alongside had a rich flavor, making it a perfect balance to enjoy with the sweet dessert. I enjoyed it with a book near Jonggak Station. This is a great place to visit if you're looking for a leisurely dessert break.
This library-style cafe is operated by the Jongno Sisa Academy. Here, you can sample coffee roasted and brewed by a professor with a PhD. The desserts are delicious, and this is a great place for students to quietly listen to music, read, discuss, and pass the time. With few bars nearby, this is the perfect place for conversation.
Korean blogger posts. Links open original posts on Naver.
