'Taste, Style, Hip' - Reasons for Choosing a Cafe

If There Are Three Things, Distance Does Not Matter

Among the countless cafes, there are often moments when you wonder, "Which cafe should I go to?" This is because there are many options, such as cafes with delicious coffee and desserts, familiar places, or ones with beautiful interiors. During lunch breaks at work, I tend to visit familiar places or try new ones. When gathering with friends in small groups, I search for trendy cafes near the meeting spot. Occasionally, when I need some time for solitary reflection, I head to a familiar cafe. There are truly many criteria for deciding on a cafe. Today, I will explain in detail the reasons why I frequently visit certain cafes, so you can look forward to it.

Dusk Coffee

If you are looking for a weekend outing spot, how about Namsan Hanok Village? In the Pil-dong area of Jung-gu, Seoul, there is a Hanok village that exudes a strong sense of tradition. After basking in the warm sunlight, if you crave a cup of coffee, head to Dusk Coffee. The interior of Dusk Coffee is impressive. The traditional exposed rafters blend harmoniously with trendy items, creating a minimalistic atmosphere that makes time and space feel different. The interior uses orange as a point color, making it fun to spot decorative items throughout the space.

As orange is the point color, the signature menu is undoubtedly an orange-based drink with orange syrup. Among them, I ordered the orange latte, and the harmony between coffee and orange was striking. How did it taste? The subtle aroma and flavor make you tilt your head in curiosity. The rich coffee aroma combined with the tangy yet sweet orange syrup may be polarizing. However, the deep flavor of the coffee beans is very noticeable, so drinks like Americano and latte have good taste and aroma. The dessert selection is not extensive, offering mainly various cookies.

Russia Cake

Russia Cake is visited for its unique and delicious cakes. It is easily accessible near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on subway lines 2, 4, and 5, making it convenient to visit from any neighborhood. Perhaps due to its location on Central Asia Street and the fact that the patissier is a foreigner, it feels like visiting a foreign country. There is always a waiting line regardless of day or time, and since the store is small, usage time is limited to one hour, so please keep that in mind.

Inside the showcase, there are various types of cakes. Among them, I ordered Medovik (Медовик), a traditional Russian honey cake. Contrary to its name, it does not have a strong honey flavor and is not overly sweet, which is appealing. Additionally, its chewy texture adds to its charm, making it a cake you fall for twice. Being able to taste traditional Russian desserts in Korea is truly moving!

They only sell Americano and tea as beverages. The Americano lacks the deep and rich flavor of the beans, which is a bit disappointing, but the taste of the cake compensates for it.

Woodmellow

This place is great to visit when you want to go for a drive near Seoul and need some healing. For an editor with a dormant driver's license, cafes near Seoul are a dream...★ If you are looking for a cafe near Seoul that still feels like a getaway, I strongly recommend Woodmellow. Although it is not near a subway station, it is still within Seoul, which greatly reduces psychological burden. The green scenery visible through the large windows is also stunning. The highlight here is the outdoor garden. On a nice day, sitting in the outdoor garden with a cup of coffee makes all the hardships and fatigue disappear naturally.

They also offer a variety of desserts. Prices are somewhat higher compared to regular bakeries, but not too expensive compared to other cafes near Seoul. The Americano costs 6,000 won, and you can choose the coffee beans. So how does it taste? It’s not amazingly delicious, but it’s not bad enough to avoid either. The only downside is that the taste falls short compared to the visual... The interior and the view through the windows compensate for the dessert’s taste, making it a place worth revisiting.

Photo by Yoon Eun-ae