Table of Contents
Photo: Shinleedoga
Small But Definite Happiness
Café hopping is the trend where you spend the whole day going from café to café,each with its own vibe, design, and signature menu. In Korea the café scene is incredibly diverse, with tens of thousands of spots ranging from minimalist hideouts to themed, photo-worthy spaces. This makes café hopping a fun and interesting experience.
It’s a great way to slow down, you can journal, read that book you’ve been putting off, study or get some work done. Many cafés stay open late, this gives you plenty of time to settle in and be productive. Part of the reason this trend is so popular is because of the atmosphere, you will be surrounded by other people working or studying and this feels very motivating. In a city where living spaces can be compact, cafés have become a go-to place to relax, focus or hang out with your friends.
It’s common to see people stay in a café for hours without feeling rushed, you can finally focus on what you think is important. It can be a moment to gather your thoughts, plan your week, or finish that to-do list. By the end of a day of café hopping, you often feel more relaxed, productive, and accomplished. It’s a form of well-deserved “me-time,” where you can fully focus without interruptions. In a fast-paced city, these spaces offer a way to slow down while still feeling productive.
Cafés in Korea also function as social “third spaces,” the focus lies not in grabbing a quick coffee but in the social thought behind it. That’s why many cafés open later in the morning, around 10 to 11 a.m., and stay open until late in the evening.
The overall vibe of the café hopping culture can be described in one word: Sohwakhaeng (소확행) meaning “small but definite happiness”. For many, this happiness can be found in the form of a cup of coffee, soft lightning and a beautiful, calming atmosphere.
Top Cafés to Visit
Beautiful Aesthetic
Anguk & Ikseon-dong
Anguk and Ikseon-dong are famous for their Hanok-style neighborhoods. It is full of traditional Korean houses and quiet, aesthetic cafes. Which makes this area feel like a perfect combination of history and modern day vibes. In this area you can enjoy a slow-paced, woodsy and beautiful atmosphere and if you are here you should definitely try salt bread. Almost every café in these neighborhoods will be Instagram-worthy, aesthetically pleasing cafés with amazing pastries and great drinks. So be sure to walk around these areas to discover some of the best.
Seongsu-dong
Seongsu-dong is a well-known area for shopping, especially for its constantly changing pop-up stores. It used to be an industrial district, now Seongsu has transformed into one of Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods, filled with art spaces and cafés. If you need a break from shopping, there are plenty of cafés to relax in. The area is also famous for its “newtro” style, where retro elements are blended with a new, modern aesthetic.
Cheongsudang Ikseon-Dong
This café is known for its magical atmosphere and famous soufflé cakes. The space is designed around nature, with soft lighting, traditional lanterns, and a peaceful pond that creates a calm and aesthetic environment.
Soha Salt Pond Ikseon-dong
This café is best known for its salt bread. The beautiful aesthetic of the café pays homage to the salt harvesting process, creating a unique and minimal design. It’s quite famous, so if you don’t want to wait in line for too long, it’s best to visit early when they open or late in the afternoon.
Photo: sohasaltpond
Cafe Onion Anguk
One of the most famous cafés in Seoul, this spot is widely featured on Instagram and other social media for its pastries and especially its salt bread. Because of its popularity, there is almost always a line, so arriving around opening time is highly recommended.
Shin Old Tea House
If you want to experience traditional Korean tea culture, this café is a perfect choice. The space focuses on traditional architecture and design, creating an authentic and peaceful setting to enjoy a cup of tea.
Study or work cafés
A Twosome Place
You can find this popular café chain all across South Korea. Many locations have self-order kiosks, making it easy to order without any language stress. They offer a wide range of desserts, and if you’re looking for something more filling, you can also try their brunch or lunch sets. The cafés are often filled with people studying or working, which makes it a great place if you want a productive atmosphere.
Café Debunk Hongdae
Surrounded by books, great drinks, and delicious pastries, this café creates the perfect environment to stay productive. Located in the lively Hongdae area, it’s a great spot for reading, journaling, or getting some work done in a cozy and inspiring setting.
Photo: debunk.official
Animal cafés
Gyeoul’s House Hongdae
In this café you can interact with the fluffiest Samoyed dogs. A great place if you love dogs and want to enjoy a good drink in the meantime.
Thanks Nature Café
Thanks Nature café has live sheep walking around that you can pet while enjoying a cup of coffee. The sheep are rotated with a farm that takes very good care of them, so you know they are living their best life.
Photo: thanks_nature_cafe_
Cheongchun Cat Café
For the cat lovers a must visit café is Cheongchun Cat Café. When dogs are full of enthusiasm and bring this liveliness, cats will just enjoy your presence while you enjoy theirs. Ofcourse best combined with a great cup of coffee.
Themed cafés
943 King’s Cross Hongdae
This café is perfect for every Harry Potter fan. Get ready to be transported into the wizarding world with themed drinks and an immersive interior. The café has different floors, each with a different theme.
Photo: 943kingscross
Nuldam Space
In this café you can write a letter to your future self and they will send it out one year later. Think about the thing you would want to say to your future self while you are enjoying your drink.
Dotori Garden Anguk
This studio Ghibli themed café is located in Anguk which is also a beautiful neighborhood full of hanok-style houses. They are most famous for their magical atmosphere and their delicious yoghurts.
Rain Report
In this unique café it is always raining. Every 15 mins there will be a rainfall in the patio of the café, a perfect chance to take a picture. Inside you can enjoy your drink in a modern, sleek black interior and look at the rain reports from all around the world.
Photo: rainreport_official
Make sure you find a table first before ordering to ensure your spot. You will see that a lot of people leave their belongings at their table when they go to order or go to the bathroom. Korea is very safe so you don’t have to worry about your belongings in the cafés.