Cafe: Gyedong Dabang

There is one of my favourite cafes in one of my favourite areas in Seoul. It is called Gyedong Dabang (dabang means cafe in Korean) which has unique atmosphere. The area, Gyedong, itself keeps the originality which could be described as traditional mood. Still many Hanok (Korean traditional houses) exist in this area and it is easy to find old shops such as hardware stores, laundries, corner shops which arouse nostalgic mood to Koreans. The atmosphere in Gyedong Dabang parallels with the uniqueness of this area.

The menu reminded me of the Korean enlightenment era which I have seen in television. It is because the menu is written with kind of old version of translation that was used to translate foreign languages in early and middle 20th century.

It is even nicer to chill out during evening because the moderate darkness in this cafe with old film screening on the wall vis beam projector takes us to feel as if we went on a time travelling journey away from our daily routine.

Gyedong Dabang

Opening hours
Mon - Sun 11:00 - 24:00

133-6, Gye-dong, Jongro-gu

Seoul, South Korea

Subway: Anguk (Line 3)
From exit 3, 10 minutes on foot

+82 (2) 318 0008

http://mulnamoo.co.kr

Tart place: Tartine

Tartine is a lovely tart cafe in Itaewon run by Korean and American guys. They serve the great American style dessert such as tarts, pies and cakes.

 

Indeed they did have nice selections of tarts so my friend and I spent pretty long time to pick a couple of tarts. (All the tarts looked so tasty!) Finally, we ordered an apple and a cranberry ones which were sweet and lovely. A cup of coffee and tea completed our dessert journey. Bon appetite!

Tartine

Opening hours
Mon - Sun 10:00 - 22:30

119-15, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu

Seoul, South Korea

Subway: Itaewon (Line 6)
From exit 1, 2 minutes on foot

+82 (2) 3785 3400

contact@tartine.co.kr

http://www.tartine.co.kr

Bakery : Taegeukdang

I quite like this bakery and cafe called Taegeukdang because it has kept its own authenticity and originality since 1946. Indeed, it is the oldest bakery in Seoul. While other small bakeries have closed their shops down or sold them to conglomerates, Taegeukdang has kept its stores proudly as the form of family business. Once you get into the store, you can feel the Korean version of retro mood here in Taegeukdang, which you would have experienced if you were in Korea in the 1950s or so.

Interiors, furniture, other decorative elements are full of retro mood, which I could see from tv dramas or movies. I had ice cream with waffle which is the signature in Taegeunkdang. As always, waffle was so crispy and ice cream was soft and sweet.

Still, Taegeukdang tries to maintain its own identity. If you fancy Korean style bread or puddings, drop by here and grab one made by skilled Korean patissier and explore Korean version of retro mood.

Taegeunkdang

Opening hours
Mon - Sun 08:00 - 22:00

189-5, Jangchung dong 2ga, Jung-gu

Seoul, South Korea

Subway: Dongguk university (Line 2)

from exit 2, 1 minutes on foot

+82 (2) 2279 3152

http://www.taegeukdang.com/