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A fast information to a few of the most original themed cafes in Seoul’s Hongdae neighbourhood!
Seoul is all concerning the cafe tradition. There are cool espresso retailers and quirky eateries all around the metropolis – together with a surprisingly massive variety of themed institutions. In any case, it is a metropolis that LOVES photo-op!
There’s a restaurant the place you may publish a letter to your future self, a hidden gem of a espresso store with a secret waterfall out again, even a restaurant the place it rains indoors!
A whole lot of these are unfold out all around the metropolis, however the stylish Hongdae district – well-known for its buying, meals, and nightlife scene – is residence to a reasonably excessive focus of quirky cafes.
Some are well-known (like a restaurant themed round a sure wizarding world), others are extra “hidden gems”… however they’re all nice locations to go to for a novel twist in your day by day espresso! These are 5 spots you want to take a look at in case you’re visiting the Hongdae neighbourhood…
5 Cool Themed Cafes in Hongdae
Brief on time? There’s a map and a fast model of this listing on the backside of the web page.
1. Cafe 943 King’s Cross (aka the Harry Potter Cafe)
Love Harry Potter? You CAN’T miss Cafe 943 King’s Cross while you’re in Seoul. This is among the most well-known cafes within the Hongdae district: an unofficially Harry Potter-themed cafe.
There are 7 flooring, every one with a distinct theme (together with a Diagon Alley store, a wizarding tavern, and the Gryffindor dormitories). There’s magical decor in every single place and many superb particulars – like ghosts flying throughout the partitions, owls in cages, and Ministry of Magic “Needed” posters on the partitions.
Foods and drinks is a little bit on the costly aspect – however you’re additionally paying for entry to all these superb flooring with their cute photograph ops. And the sizzling sweets come topped with a chocolate wizard hat! The meals is OK, but it surely’s extra about appears than style: my Mandrake cake was insanely cute to take a look at, however primarily it was only a very costly, dry chocolate muffin!
High Tip: This cafe can get actually busy, particularly at peak instances like weekends. I like to recommend going mid-morning or late afternoon on a weekday in case you can. I used to be there at about 11am on a Tuesday in November and had the place to myself!
Sanrio Lovers Membership (aka Hey Kitty Cafe)
This absurdly lovable cafe and store is themed across the iconic Hey Kitty and her associates. Anticipate numerous pastel colors and sugary treats: menu highlights embody character latte artwork and roll truffles printed with character faces.
The upstairs is designed to appear like a schoolroom, with areas themed across the completely different characters (together with Hey Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, and extra). There are a great deal of cute photograph ops – together with a room the place the partitions are lined in Sanrio cuddly toys!
Ryan Cafe @ Kakao Buddies Flagship Retailer
The Kakao Buddies are a bunch of cartoon characters based mostly on emoticons from KakaoTalk (the nation’s largest messaging app). They’re HUGE in South Korea – so don’t miss a visit to the flagship retailer in Hongdae.
You’ll discover two big flooring stuffed with cute merchandise that includes the characters – plus numerous enjoyable photograph ops. There’s even a photograph sales space with a props station!
On the third ground is the Ryan Cafe – which options a big statue of Ryan (the “important” character) at one of many tables and a menu filled with themed character desserts.
High Tip: There’s one other Kakao Buddies retailer within the Gangnam district.
Sinleedoga Cafe
Sinleedoga Cafe is a little bit of a hidden gem in Seoul, so it’s often a lot much less busy than a few of the others on this listing. It’s designed to appear like a conventional Hanok (a conventional Korean home), full with a central courtyard with a comfortable firepit.
There’s a extremely relaxed, zen really feel to the aesthetic – with large floor-to-ceiling home windows letting in numerous gentle. The menu is easy (largely sizzling drinks, iced teas, truffles, and pastries) however the signature drink is the quirky Corn Cream Latte (learn extra on this evaluation).
Thanks Nature Cafe
You’ve heard of cat and canine cafes – nicely, it is a SHEEP cafe! Thanks Nature Cafe is a cute, cosy house with vibrant partitions, mismatched furnishings, and many crops. It’s additionally residence to 2 cute, fluffy sheep.
The sheep come from a farm outdoors of Seoul and a distinct pair go to yearly. They’re stored in a pen outdoors the cafe, the place prospects can go to the sheep and perhaps even pet them – in the event that they allow you to, which they often do (not many individuals know this however most sheep love being petted!).
High Tip: The sheep are despatched residence to the farm in summer time when Seoul will get too humid for them, so you may solely see them from autumn-spring.
Cafe 943 Kings Cross (aka the Harry Potter cafe) is among the hottest institutions in Seoul. It’s essential purchase a drink or meals as a way to discover the cafe and take pictures. Right here’s a photograph of the primary menu to provide you an thought of what’s on supply and what the costs are like.
Map and Fast Listing of Themed Cafes in Hongdae
- 943 King’s Cross: Harry Potter-themed cafe
- Sanrio Lovers Membership: themed round Hey Kitty and associates
- Ryan Cafe on the Kakao Buddies flagship retailer: themed across the widespread messaging app characters.
- Sinleedoga Cafe: designed to appear like a conventional Hanok cafe.
- Thanks Nature Cafe: a novel sheep cafe!
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Let me know in case you go to any of those cute, themed cafes in Hongdae while you’re in Seoul. Scroll down to depart a remark!
