If you've ever stepped foot in Korea, you would know that the cafe-abundant country will leave you spoilt for choice. But fret not! We've done the hard work and made a list of the top 5 cafes that are worth the visit. So step forth and explore these cafes during your next trip to Kimchi-land! (And perhaps take a Cheon Song Yi selfie while you're at it)
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1. Cats' Playground 명동 고양이놀이터 - Myeongdong 명동
If you don’t already know, there are about a million cat cafes in Korea (okay we exaggerate). But we’ve visited almost every one and Cat’s Playground at Myeongdong is our absolute favourite!
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee when you enter the café (there is no time limit to how long you can stay there) and you’ll get a free drink too! The drinks available are pretty extensive, ranging from apple juice to green tea latte. After that, you’re free to hang out with the adorable cats!
We kept returning to Cat’s Playground during our 6 months stay in Korea because we felt right at home. There are plenty of cosy spots to hang out with the cats, the staff are really friendly and the café is clean too!
Best of all, there are 40 CATS. 40 ADORABLE CATS of any breed you can imagine!
Cats' Playground FB
For a small fee of about ₩3,000 (sorry we can’t remember the exact amount!), you’ll receive a tiny box of treats to feed the cats! We guarantee this will make you feel loved :)
Disclaimer: We are crazy cat people. The kind who can spend the entire day at the cat café and yet come back for more.
Opening Hours: 12 – 11pm
Price: ₩8,000 (Includes one free drink)
Address: Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (8) 37-14
서울시 중구 명동8길 37-14 3층
Directions: Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station. Follow map below for a short walk to Cat’s Playground. Alternatively, look out for the man in the cat costume.
3. Shin Old Tea House 신옛찻집 - Insadong
One of our all-time favourite cafés in Seoul is nestled in the back alleys of Insadong and housed in a Korean traditional hanok. This obscure but cosy teahouse is the perfect place to escape the touristy area while relaxing with a cup of traditional Korean tea and snacks! Shin Old Tea House is also one of the oldest traditional teahouses so you can be sure of its authenticity.
Entering the teahouse is almost like taking a step into the past with the rustic interior, traditional furnishing and greenery.
You get to choose from 20 different types of traditional Korean tea and every order comes with traditional Korean rice cakes (떡) and snacks. If you’re visiting in summer, we highly recommend the refreshing iced pear tea (배숙). If you’re visiting in winter, a hot Jujube tea (대추차) and heated flooring in the teahouse will warm you up in no time!
Opening Hours: 10:30 – 23:00
Price: Starts from ₩6,000
Address: 164 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울시 종로구 관훈동 164
Directions: Take the train to Anguk Station, Line #3. Exit towards Insadong. Turn left onto Insadong street. The cafe is at the end of an alley off to your right after you walk past Ssamzigil.
Address: 683-139 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Directions: Alight at Hangangjin Station on Subway Line #4 and take Exit #3. The café is around 300m down the road.
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