Hyunwoo Cho

Hyunwoo Cho

With over 10 years of experience in the Hallyu industry, Hyunwoo has dedicated his career to connecting Korean culture with the world. As the founder of Daebak, he works closely with Korean brands and stays ahead of the latest trends to deliver an authentic taste of Korea to fans globally.

NCT 127 members Haechan, Mark, Johnny, Doyoung, Yuta, and Jungwoo perform on a Seoul concert stage with the group's signature lighting and choreography

A Cup of Coffee With NCT: Slipper 456 Cafe in Seoul

Hyunwoo Cho

Table of Contents

Looking to have a fun and fulfilling afternoon in Seoul with some NCTzen friends? Look no further than Slipper 456 Cafe. This cafe is the site of one of NCT's most iconic V LIVE broadcasts, "a cup of coffee," where members Johnny, Mark, Ten, and Jaehyun, otherwise known as the self-proclaimed "foreign-swaggers," sat down to chat with NCTzens about their promotions for EMPATHY.

NCT 127 members Haechan, Mark, Johnny, Doyoung, Yuta, and Jungwoo perform on a Seoul concert stage with bright stage lighting and the group's signature choreography
NCT 127 members, including Johnny and Mark from the legendary Slipper 456 V LIVE, light up a Seoul stage. | Source: The Korea Times

Finding Slipper 456 in Gangnam

Slipper 456 is located in Gangnam, a short fifteen minute walk away from SMTOWN Coex Atrium and Coex Mall. The cafe is a small space with lots of character, most notably a shelf of antique-looking vases and glasses, mirrors perfect for group selfies, and the faux grass outside that ties the rustic, homey feeling together.

Although the V LIVE broadcast was over a year ago, the only difference in the cafe now versus then is the absence of the trailer truck outside, and a change in the pattern on the awning. On top of being a hotspot for NCTzens, the cafe makes a very nice date spot for you and your partner to talk for hours in the comfortable, relaxing space.

Interior of a Korean-style cafe with warm wood tones, antique-feel shelving, and a cozy seating area styled for photogenic moments, similar to the Slipper 456 atmosphere
The intimate, photogenic Korean cafe aesthetic mirrors the rustic, homey vibe NCTzens come to Slipper 456 to experience. | Source: The Asia Business Daily

What NCT Ordered: The Iconic Menu

During the broadcast, the boys were eager to share with their viewers what they had ordered. Off of the food menu, as a group they ordered the french toast and later received curry as a complimentary dish from the staff for being so well-mannered. As for drinks, Jaehyun and Mark ordered the banana milk, Ten ordered the green tea latte, and Johnny ordered an Americano, as usual.

Although we did not get a chance to try the Americano (our intern happens to be caffeine-sensitive) or the curry, which still looked delicious and we will definitely be going back for, we did try the french toast, banana milk, and green tea latte.

Banana Milk: Better Than the Convenience Store Bottle

The banana milk was much more than any convenience store banana milk you will ever try. It was much thicker, creamier, and the banana flavor was not artificial in the slightest. The drink was not overly sweet either, with all of its sweetness coming from the natural sweetness of the banana, adding to the authenticity of the flavor.

Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk in its iconic chubby yellow bottle, the inspiration for cafe-made Korean banana milk drinks like the one NCT's Jaehyun and Mark ordered
Korea's iconic Binggrae banana milk inspired the rich, creamy banana milk Jaehyun and Mark sipped at Slipper 456. | Source: The Korea Herald

Green Tea Latte: Rich, Earthy, and Lingering

The green tea latte was a well-balanced mix of strong matcha flavor with rich cream and milk, and the drink was not watery in the slightest. There was not much of an added artificial sweetener taste, so the matcha flavor was very rich and lingered on the palate. For those not accustomed to the bitter taste of authentic green tea or matcha drinks, we would advise sticking to the banana milk for something a bit lighter.

Vintage-style Seoul dessert cafe spread with elegant artisan drinks and desserts, capturing the Korean cafe aesthetic that frames a proper matcha latte
A vintage-style Seoul cafe spread, the kind of refined setting Ten's rich, lingering matcha latte fits right into. | Source: Visit Seoul

French Toast: A Full Brunch Plate, Not Just a Breakfast Treat

The french toast turned out to be much more than just a fancy breakfast treat. It was served on a large plate with many sides including American-style bacon and egg, sausage, mushrooms, jalapenos, and cheesy potato wedges. The french toast itself was thick, the inside was warm and fluffy, and on top was sprinkled powdered sugar and a cinnamon-brown sugar glaze.

Why Slipper 456 Feels Like a Quiet Escape

If you are ready to splurge on a homey meal in a quiet, quaint back alley of Gangnam with friends, Slipper 456 would be the go-to spot. Regardless of being an NCTzen or not, the food and cozy atmosphere is a lovely escape from Seoul's bustling city tension.

A Bonus for NCTzens: Ten and Jaehyun Cup Holders

Also a bonus! As of the original visit, the cafe still had Ten and Jaehyun cup holders up for grabs. Just ask the owner to receive one after ordering something off the menu. Cup sleeves and idol-themed cup holders have become a major part of Korea's K-pop fan culture, and snagging one at the very spot Johnny, Mark, Ten, and Jaehyun broadcast from is the kind of memory NCTzens hold onto.

K-pop birthday cafe and cup sleeve event in Seoul with idol photos, decorations, and custom-made cup holders prepared by fans for fellow K-pop devotees
K-pop cup sleeve events and idol cup holders, like the Ten and Jaehyun ones Slipper 456 handed out, are central to Seoul's fan cafe culture. | Source: The Korea Herald

How to Plan Your Visit

Check out NCT's "a cup of coffee" V LIVE for the full broadcast, and follow Slipper 456 on Instagram (@cafe_slipper456) to see their operating hours and more of their menu offerings. Pairing a stop at Slipper 456 with a walk over to SMTOWN Coex Atrium and Coex Mall makes for the perfect NCTzen afternoon in Gangnam.

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