Gangnam. Always overflowing with people. Streets with no room to stand. Even more cafes. Choosing one is a task. A photograph. A record of the moment. There are places I seek out for this. Four worth remembering.
1. Something About Coffee (썸띵어바웃커피)
Somewhere between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station. Not hard to find. Three floors. Spacious. A clean, white exterior. Inside, many tables. And seating for groups.
Sunlight streams in. The window seats are full of light. Wood and brick. A warm feeling. Potted plants everywhere. Like a small botanical garden. The second-floor terrace. On a fine day, it’s the best spot. Among the flowers, for a moment, you forget the city.
This place is famous for its cakes. Many varieties. Unfamiliar names. Grapefruit Yogurt Cheesecake. Fresh grapefruit and granola. Rich cheese. A fine balance. The cookies are thick too. Filled generously. Caramel Pudding Cookie. Cut it, and caramel flows out. Black Sesame Cream Latte, Matcha Cream Chocolate Latte. Cream piled high. The colors, vivid. Good for pictures. Everything here is.
Location Info
- Name: Something About Coffee (썸띵어바웃커피)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Unique cakes, spacious interior, terrace, Instagrammable desserts and drinks.
- Address: 30 Gangnam-daero 102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Low Key (로우키)
Yeoksam Station, GS Tower, second floor. In the heart of the concrete jungle. Quiet. People who know coffee come here. Filter coffee. That is all. No loud music. The sound of coffee brewing. Low conversations.
Today’s coffee. The price is fair. Cheaper than Starbucks. The barista talks coffee. Beans. Brewing methods. It’s expected here. ‘Dark Moon’ beans. They say Lee Sang-soon used them. Popular. Reliable. I chose the Guatemala El Morito. When warm, it was nutty. As it cooled, the acidity sharpened. Coffee changes. That’s its charm. Travel books sit on a shelf. For a moment, I dream of another world. In a hectic life, this place offers a pause. Not flashy, but the coffee is real. A coffee cup and a book. Perfect for an Instagram shot.
Location Info
- Name: Low Key (로우키)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Specialty filter coffee, knowledgeable baristas, minimalist ambiance, ‘Dark Moon’ beans.
- Address: 2F, GS Tower, 508 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Gabedo (가배도)
Between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station. You need sharp eyes to find this place. No sign. Second floor of a building. Only those in the know come here. Open the door, it’s another world. Suddenly, Kyoto. Wooden window frames. Thin bamboo. Dim lighting. Tables spaced far apart. You can’t overhear the next table. Good. (Groups of four or more share tables, they say. That’s a pity.)
Order on the second floor. There are seats on the third floor too. They bring your drinks to you. A latte for me. Matcha for my friend. The ‘matcha’ here is actually a matcha latte. With milk. The latte was strong and nutty. I liked it. My friend had the matcha. Sweet, he said. Lacked the bitterness of traditional Japanese matcha. Still, it was good. Antique furniture. They say the owner picked it himself. It lends a certain gravity to the space. Good for some quiet time. A photo of the view through the lattice. Or a single teacup. The atmosphere says it all.
Location Info
- Name: Gabedo (가배도)
- Type: Cafe
- Known for: Japanese-inspired “Kyoto” ambiance, antique furniture, matcha lattes, quiet atmosphere.
- Address: 20 Gangnam-daero 110-gil, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (This is a commonly listed address for Gabedo Gangnam branch, though the original text mentioned no exact address)
4. The Flying Pan Red (더플라잉팬레드)
Gangnam Station, GT Tower, the first basement floor. A brunch spot. Weekends, you might wait. A long interior. Tables line the windows and walls. Tidy. People say it’s good for blind dates. That kind of vibe.
The menu. Prices are on the higher side. It’s Gangnam, after all. Chicken Avocado Salad. It looked like only greens, but there was a good amount of chicken hidden underneath. Scrambled Eggs and Salad. The eggs were soft. A thick sausage. Grilled tomato. Two slices of bread. Mushroom Spicy Cream Pasta. A spicy kick at the end, true to its name. Still, it was good. Very Nice French Toast. It looked sweet. Crispy on the outside, moist inside. Too much for one. Best shared. The food looks just like in the pictures. It’s presented beautifully. So, naturally, people take pictures. Good for a quiet conversation and a meal. Not too loud.
Location Info
- Name: The Flying Pan Red (더플라잉팬레드)
- Type: Restaurant/Brunch Cafe
- Known for: All-day brunch, visually appealing dishes, popular for dates.
- Address: B1, GT Tower, 411 Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Gangnam. Many cafes. Each with its own character. These four. All good for different reasons. Coffee. Atmosphere. Dessert. Or a single photograph. That was enough.