15 Unique and Interesting Theme Cafes in Korea!
Sure lattes and cappuccinos are nice. But Korea’s added some extra fun to cafes with some really unique themes. Find out where you can pet dogs and cats, see Charlie Brown, play Jenga, go camping and even get your bike fixed!
Book/Study Cafe in Gangnam, Seoul
So you’ve got some homework to do, but your brother is watching wrestling super loud, your mom is yelling super loud and your dad is farting super loud. That’s it, time to go to a cafe! But then everyone there is super loud too! Well… if you’re in Korea, you can always head over to a study cafe. Many are run just like libraries (no chatting) and they might even be better because they got lots and lots of caffeine! So they’re perfect places to fuel your sleepy eyes and give you enough peace and quiet to study.
Tip: Some book cafes in Korea are just regular cafes with books and people chatting, but many are on the quiet side.
Recommendation: May Island (λ©μ΄μμΌλλ)
Address: μμΈ κ°λ¨κ΅¬ μμΌλ 816-6 μ©μΌλΉλ© 4, 5μΈ΅ (Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Yeoksam-dong 816-6, Yongin Bldg 4F & 5F)
Maps: Google
Closest Subway Station: Gangnam Station (Line 2), Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9)
Blogs (for pics): omg0609 (Korean), λ°°μΆ (Korean)
LegoΒ Cafe in Hongdae, Seoul
Legos aren’t just for kids.Β Get & ShowΒ is a cafe where you can order a cappuccino and rent a few lego pieces to get you and a friend to give you something constructive to do (see what I did there? ;)). You can rent Lego kits for 4,500 won for 30 minutes, and each additional minute is charged at 150 won. If you stay for an hour to complete your Lego given task, it’ll run you about 10,000 won. You can alsoΒ get Lego themed chocolate and candyΒ if you’re more of aΒ consumer than producer of Legos.
Address: μμΈνΉλ³μ λ§ν¬κ΅¬ λ
λ§λ‘3κΈΈ 27 (Seoul, Mapo-gu, Dokmakro 3-gil 27)
Maps: Google
Closest Subway Station: HapjeongΒ Station (Line 2, Line 6)
Blogs:Β MyFatPocket (English),Β Riversnaillee (Korean)
Hello Kitty Cafe in Seoul
The Japanese-born character is so cute that Korea had to make its own cafe dedicated to Hello Kitty (either that or a multi-million dollar corporation, but who knows?!), and it’s definitely one of the cutest places to sip on a latte in Korea. Make your way over here if you want cuteness overload with Hello Kitty decorations, cups, desserts and even Hello Kitty latte art. It is quite popular and it does get a bit crowded at times, but it’s perfect for those in need of a little (aka A LOT) of pink in their lives ;).
Address (Click for maps): Hongdae Location (μμΈνΉλ³μ λ§ν¬κ΅¬ μμ°μ°λ‘19κΈΈ 18), Shinchon Location (μμΈμ μλ문ꡬ λͺ
λ¬ΌκΈΈ 36-6), Incheon Airport (Near Departure Gate 24 – past customs). Samcheongdong location (μμΈμ μ’
λ‘ꡬ μΌμ²λ‘ 106).
See official website for more locations.
Closest Subway Stations: Hongdae University Station (Line 2), Shinchon Station (Line 2), Anguk Station (Line 3)
Blogs: MissTamChiek , Tumblr with Hello Kitty Cafe Pics
Photography Art Cafe Near Geondae University
There are tons of amateur and pro photographers in Korea as well as the rest of the world.Β It’s so awesome that one cafeΒ dedicated itself to photography art. Grab your cup of coffee and enjoy their photography art gallery, which changes themes every few weeks. Just like it’s name,Β Sajin Chango (Picture Warehouse), the cafe is made with pieces of shipping containers to give it anΒ industrialΒ feel.Β Unsurprisingly, with little skill,Β if you take your own picturesΒ inside, you’llΒ come out with awesome looking pictures of your own.
Sajin Chango (Picture Warehouse)
Address: μμΈνΉλ³μ μ±λꡬ μ±μμ΄λ‘7κΈΈ 26Β (Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-2-ro 7-gil 26)
Map: Google
Closest Subway Station: SeongsuΒ Station (Line 1)
Blogs (for pics): poet314 (Korean), hiya0217 (Korean)
Ring Making Cafe in Myeongdong
The newest theme cafes in Seoul focus on making your own rings. Couples, families, friends and travelers who want to create memories in a wearable way come here to make their own rings. Here, you can create your own rings from start to finish: cutting the metal, encircling it, sanding it, and even engraving it yourself with hammer and chisel (laser engravings are optional at a little extra). Of course since we’re not all master metalsmiths, they’ll guide you each step of the way. Unless you are a master metalsmith…then you can show them who’s boss! π
Recommendation: μ€λ μ (Seolleim)
Address: μμΈνΉλ³μ μ€κ΅¬ 좩무λ‘2κ° 61-1 3μΈ΅(Seoul, Jung-gu Chungmuro-2-ga 61-1 3rd Floor)
Maps: Google
Closest Subway Station: Myeongdong Station (Line 4)
Blogs (for pics): ksj910225 (Korean), spring1110 (Korean), lnr122 (Korean)
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39 Comments
I want to visit all of them…. and I don’t even like coffee. But it seems like so much fun!!! π
I would love to visit Study Cafe… It looks so awesome…
This is a really great article. I can’t believe how much work you put into this. Even researching the blogs, where we could read about the cafes! π Thank you!
@Judith Thank you! Yea, this one took me a while π
Awesome post! I would love to try the fish pedicure cafe.
awesome. I want to try it too.
where did you hear it from? do you have the address?
Thanks.
Kathy
Thanks for crediting, the other cafes look amazing! Hope to try them the next time I visit Korea!:)
Thanks for the effort
Oh wow that one with the fish is so interesting. I really hope to visit there!
I thought I’d seen all the theme cafes in Seoul, but you added a few to my list. Just a note, though, the sheep are only around if the weather is cool enough for them. π
thanks for the article…very informative!
I really love the Charlie Brown and Study cafe. I wish that there were places like that in my city. They look very chic but quite relaxing at the same time. Great site and great YouTube channel. I love learning about different cultures.
my goodness I think I’m in love. Especially the study cafe. I could definitely use that.
Oh, and I’ve been to one of those fish-feet things before… It wasn’t a cafe though. Just a place to sit and relax π
The board game cafe sounds like fun!!! I love to play jenga! π
I went to Bau House yesterday and can say it was the best time I’ve had in ages. Ditch your plans and do this RIGHT NOW!
Thank you so much for the update Keith! I had a great time at λ무그λ π
photography cafe is something new to my ears, I think I would love that.
Does anyone know how much it costs to do the entire hanbok package (makeup, photo,…) at Go Guan cafe? I’m dying to go but afraid it’s gonna cost hundreds of $ ^^
Experience (Regular hanbok + take your own photos) β KRW 20,000
Special costume (King/Queen, gisaeng, wedding) β add KRW 5,000
Wig β add KRW 5,000
not sure if these prices are current… found on another blog from last year (2013)
the fish cafe attracted me! is that expensive?
Aww… I was hoping you would post something about the dog&cat cafe there! there are these cafe with just kittens or just dogs roaming around, and I think its the best oart about visiting Korea π
Cute in Korea blog did posts on some cat cafes and a dog cafe in Seoul π She has lots of photos too. I dunno if I can post the link, but he links it above a few times.
Keith, this is a fantastic site for things to do and see in Seoul, not things you would find in Lonely Planet. Love all the extra tips. Heading your way in November for my first visit to Korea.
Keith, thanks for an awesome list!
Is there only one Book Cafe in Seoul? Or is this a franchise cafe?
Study cafe for me too….unique decor
The only problem is i have to think what kind of subject i have to study there lol
Hi, I’m from New Zealand and I’m really inspired by all the Korean cafes I’ve seen in k-drama and k-tvshows. I’m a college student studying graphics and I would like to design a cafe but I’m struggling with the theme. I was wondering which ones you think would be a great idea. Some of my ideas is a streetart cafe where people can express their artwork, music themed cafe where people can also express their music or a winter themed cafe which was inspired by the movie “Frozen”. If you have any other ideas please suggest them below! Would be a great help! Thanks!
Awesome article.
Here is my weblog – Houston Texas public adjusting
You might want to update the address for Bau House. They moved in 2012. It’s still around the same area but you get out through EXIT 3 at Hapjeong Stn. and make a U-turn. Turn left, walk for a minute and it’s the building on your right. π
what’s the board game called in korean?, I’ve always wanted to know its name in korean
you missed cat cafe, dog cafe and maid cafe! lol.
i know way too much about a place I have yet to visit. never been to korea but dying to go. π
opps sorry, just saw the other pages. lol.
incheon is not the city of Gyeonggi
Hi, how late does the hongdae area stay open? is it open after 9pm?
Thanks mate :))