The boutique coffee shops are quite popular in Seoul, South Korea. You will spot constantly opening-up new coffee shops all across the city. Seoul’s coffee scene is upgrading over time as localities are developing better taste in the coffee. More and more coffee enthusiasts are now into specialty coffee, and that something you can witness in their top coffee shops. So, here are the best coffee shops in Seoul.
Dadong Coffee House
Dadong coffee house is a traditional style shop, very similar to the Kissaten located in Tokyo. This one is situated in the south of the Insadong area with lots of handicrafts and souvenir shops around. What is special about them is how they brew their filter coffee. It is based on the ratio of 1:4 where 1 is the amount of coffee to the 4 amounts of hot water. The coffee will almost look like black tea but it tastes very mild and delicate.
Visit them: 24-8, Dadong-Gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04522 South Korea.
5 Brewing & 5Extracts
5 Brewing & 5 Extracts, both are different coffee shops as well as the concepts. 5 Brewing focuses on the filter coffee whereas 5extracts is more interested in their espresso drinks. But the thing is, both owners use the same coffee to roast their coffee beans at 5 Brewing. Also, the interior and design in the 5Extracts are quite stylish and more visually appealing. You can surely try some signature brews of 5Brewing whether it is filter coffees, single origins, blends, and many more.
Visit them: 55-1 Eoulmadang-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Low key
When you walk away from the Mesh coffee, within a few steps you will discover a Low Key coffee place. Apart from that, they have two other outlets as well. The Low key has this spacious seating area where you can catch up with your old friends or have a friend meet-up over the perfect cup of coffee. The place features experienced baristas guiding you through their best selection of COE-winning cups as filter coffee. Their suggestions will help you have the best coffee cup for the day. Also, they have a great selection of espresso-based drinks if you prefer that. Low Key is also a coffee place highly popular for its public cupping sessions every once in a while.
Visit them: 6 Yeonmujang 3-gil, Seongdong-gu.
Namusairo
Namusairo is the local favorite coffee place located in a quieter street near the Gwanghwamun subway station. They have been serving great tasting coffee for the last 16 years. They are more of a local coffee brand well-established leader in the specialty coffee scene in South Korea. The cafe is located in the old Hanok building, a Korean traditional house that turned to a cafe. The place’s interior will give you the feeling that you set foot into a time machine going back to that era.
Visit them: 21 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu.
Coffee Libre
Coffee Libre company is one of the most successful sustainable specialty coffee business models in Seoul. They are truly the trailblazers to pull that off on a larger scale, very first in South Korea. They are into the green bean direct trade with having an interest in fresh coffee ingredients along with a scientific approach to coffee growing methods. This place highly focuses on espresso-based drinks only.
Visit them: 227-15 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.