Euljiro changed. Narrow alleys. Old buildings. New things rose between them. Coffee aroma instead of factory noise. Sleek lights next to faded signs. People called it “Hipjiro.” I went there too. Five Euljiro cafes. Places I remember. These are some of the best cafes in Seoul for a unique vibe.
1. Coffee Hanyakbang
Euljiro 2-ga 101-34. Coffee Hanyakbang. The old Hyeminseo site. A place layered with time. Mother-of-pearl chests. Old drawers. A grandfather clock. The air of an old apothecary. Direct-fire roasting. The machine turned. The smell of roasting beans hit my nose. Seeing it made the coffee taste better in anticipation. Everyone drank drip coffee. I had a latte. The shop across sold desserts. A mood older folks would like. They deliver coffee too. A thousand won extra. This unique cafe in Seoul is a must-visit.
Location Info
- Name: Coffee Hanyakbang(커피 한약방)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Traditional Korean apothecary theme, vintage decor, on-site coffee roasting, located on the historic Hyeminseo site.
- Address: 101-34 Euljiro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Horangi
Sewoon Sangga, 3rd floor. Horangi. Famous for its latte. Three thousand five hundred won. Worth the price. The shop was small. One side made sandos, the other, lattes, non-stop. Like a factory. Crowded with people. Staff shouted for paths to be cleared. If cramped, you could sit outside. Takeout customers never ceased. A calculator in an old bag. It fit. I was lucky. Found a seat. Waited fifteen minutes. The latte was sweet. The milk tasted different. Not condensed milk. The espresso was special too. Reminded me of lattes in Japan. The milk’s secret. Their own blend, I guessed. The Americano wasn’t as striking as the latte. Namusairo beans. A small, solid shop. Atop Sewoon Sangga. Remember that. A top spot for coffee in Euljiro.
Location Info
- Name: Horangi Coffee (호랑이커피)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Signature “Horangi Latte,” retro ambiance, located in Sewoon Sangga.
- Address: Sewoon Sangga, 157 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (3rd Floor)
3. O’brett
Euljiro 3-ga 5-7. Fourth floor of the building. O’brett. Moved from Seongsu-dong, they said. This spring. Cafe and select shop. A complex cultural space. Fourth floor. I climbed the stairs. High ceiling. Furniture and floor. Sunlight streamed in. Cast long shadows on the floor. LPs seemed decorative. No sound. Violet Vineyard Ade. The name intrigued me. Coffee was average. But it was spacious. Good for a rest after a meal. After lunch, office workers appeared. The reason to climb four floors. Closed on Mondays. This aesthetic cafe in Seoul offers a bright space.
Location Info
- Name: O’brett (오브렛)
- Type: Cafe & Select Shop
- Known for: Bright and airy space on the 4th floor, minimalist design, moved from Seongsu-dong.
- Address: 4F, 5-7 Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. 4F (포에프)
Bangsan-dong 109-2. Near Bangsan Market. 4F. It was a printing factory. No sign. A hidden place. The Hipjiro way. First floor. A printing press, over twenty years old, stood in the center. A faint smell of oil, I thought. A few chairs. Orders on the second floor. Rough textures. Printing press parts. Traces of time. Second floor held the counter and kitchen. They sold goods too. The menu was simple. Crossed-out items. Third floor had a large table. Looked uncomfortable. Up to the fourth floor. The sofa was old, dirty. The drink was not good. An honest assessment. One visit. That was enough. The concept was clear. That was all. If you go to Bangsan Market, you could stop by. This Euljiro cafe has a strong industrial vibe.
Location Info
- Name: Cafe 4F (카페 4F)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Converted printing factory, industrial-vintage aesthetic, preserving old machinery.
- Address: 109-2 Bangsan-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
5. Jeokdang
Euljiro 29. First floor, rear entrance. Jeokdang. Desserts made with red bean. Handmade yanggaeng. Monaka. The menu was new to me. Weekend. Packed with people. Getting a seat was a battle. Foreigners, families. Patbingsu. I expected whole red beans. What came was finely ground red bean. Smooth as snow. It was good. Yanggaeng. Chocolate, apple flavor. Fresh. I wondered about the original. Pear drink. Familiar taste. Sujeonggwa ade. Strong cinnamon scent. Chewy dried jujubes. O-dok o-dok. A new combination for me. It was alright. If you want a different kind of sweet, this is the place. A great spot for traditional Korean desserts in Euljiro.
Location Info
- Name: Jeokdang (적당)
- Type: Dessert Cafe
- Known for: Modern Korean desserts, specializing in red bean (팥) dishes like yanggaeng (sweet jelly) and patbingsu.
- Address: 1F, 29 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (rear entrance)
Euljiro’s alleys hold many stories. In the coffee, in the spaces. You have to walk them yourself. To know the taste and the feeling.