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A fast information to a number of the most unusual 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 spite of everything, this can be a metropolis that LOVES a great photo-op!
There’s a restaurant the place you possibly can submit 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 number 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
Quick on time? There’s a map and a fast model of this checklist 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 if 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 unique theme (together with a Diagon Alley store, a wizarding tavern, and the Gryffindor dormitories). There’s magical decor all over the place and plenty of superb particulars – like ghosts flying throughout the partitions, owls in cages, and Ministry of Magic “Wished” posters on the partitions.
Foods and drinks is a bit of on the costly aspect – however you’re additionally paying for entry to all these superb flooring with their cute photograph ops. And the scorching sweets come topped with a chocolate wizard hat! The meals is OK, but it surely’s extra about seems to be than style: my Mandrake cake was insanely cute to take a look at, however primarily it was only a very costly, dry chocolate muffin!
Prime Tip: This cafe can get actually busy, particularly at peak occasions 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 Whats up Kitty Cafe)
This absurdly lovely cafe and store is themed across the iconic Whats up Kitty and her associates. Anticipate plenty of pastel colors and sugary treats: menu highlights embrace character latte artwork and roll muffins printed with character faces.
The upstairs is designed to appear to be a schoolroom, with areas themed across the completely different characters (together with Whats up 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 Pals Flagship Retailer
The Kakao Pals are a gaggle of cartoon characters based mostly on emoticons from KakaoTalk (the nation’s greatest messaging app). They’re HUGE in South Korea – so don’t miss a visit to the flagship retailer in Hongdae.
You’ll discover two large flooring crammed with cute merchandise that includes the characters – plus plenty of 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 “most important” character) at one of many tables and a menu stuffed with themed character desserts.
Prime Tip: There’s one other Kakao Pals retailer within the Gangnam district.
Sinleedoga Cafe
Sinleedoga Cafe is a little bit of a hidden gem in Seoul, so it’s normally a lot much less busy than a number of the others on this checklist. It’s designed to appear to be 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 huge floor-to-ceiling home windows letting in plenty of mild. The menu is straightforward (principally scorching drinks, iced teas, muffins, 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 – properly, this can be a SHEEP cafe! Thanks Nature Cafe is a cute, cosy house with vibrant partitions, mismatched furnishings, and plenty of crops. It’s additionally residence to 2 cute, fluffy sheep.
The sheep come from a farm exterior of Seoul and a unique pair go to yearly. They’re stored in a pen exterior the cafe, the place clients can go to the sheep and perhaps even pet them – in the event that they allow you to, which they normally do (not many individuals know this however most sheep love being petted!).
Prime Tip: The sheep are despatched residence to the farm in summer season when Seoul will get too humid for them, so you possibly can 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 with a purpose to discover the cafe and take pictures. Right here’s a photograph of the principle menu to present 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 Whats up Kitty and associates
- Ryan Cafe on the Kakao Pals flagship retailer: themed across the common messaging app characters.
- Sinleedoga Cafe: designed to appear to be 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 if you’re in Seoul. Scroll down to depart a remark!
