Previously, we shared with you a list of cafés to visit in Hongdae, and today, we’ve compiled another list of 5 cafés to visit in Ikseon-dong. Despite being in one of Seoul’s oldest neighbourhoods, it recently started to become one of the trendiest spots to be in, housing many businesses opened by young artists and entrepreneurs. Right here in Ikseon-dong, you can eat and shop to your heart’s content.
#1. Seoul Coffee
Aligning themselves with the overall feel of Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Seoul Coffee has a bit of modern minimalism incorporated into their traditional Korean Hanok interior.
Seoul Coffee sells cube ice creams at 1500 won (SGD $1.85) each in 12 different flavours, some unique flavours are Sweet Pumpkin and Korean Sikhye (sweet rice beverage). If you’re planning to visit in the colder seasons and ice cream is not appropriate, then they’ve also got bread such as Walnut Doughnut at 1500 won (SGD $1.85) and Injeolmi Tiramisu at 5500 won (SGD $6.65).
The most popular drinks at Seoul Coffee are Vienna Coffee and Vienna Milk Tea at 4500 won (SGD $5.45) each, and Sweet Pumpkin drink at 4000 won (SGD $4.85).
Address: 166-32 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울시 종로구 익선동 166-32번지 서울커피)
Operating Hours: 12pm to 10.30pm
Tel.: +82 02-6085-4890
#2. La Reine
View this post on Instagram
La Reine is a café with an English Tea Time concept, boasting a Victorian English style interior with a slightly antique and vintage vibe. This café will appeal more to the ladies because of its beautiful and feminine designs. They even have little tea sets to really set the mood of the café and make you feel like a princess.
Of course, with an English Tea Time concept, La Reine serves Teas such as Earl Grey Imperial at 7000 won (SGD $8.45) and Rose D’himalaya at 9000 won (SGD $10.90). Food and drinks at La Reine are on the pricier side, a Fruit Ade costs 7000 won (SGD $8.45) as well, Scones at 3000 won (SGD $3.65) and a Seasonal Fruit Tart will cost you 8000 won (SGD $9.70).
Address: 21-9 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 종로구 수표로28길 21-9)
Operating Hours: 12pm to 10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Tel.: +82 2-747-7599
#3. ELLIE
Another café that retained a little bit of the traditional Korean Hanok design is ELLIE, this café is also rather minimalistic, at the same time giving off a slightly vintage and vibrant feel.
ELLIE has got a very extensive menu, beverages itself consists of coffees, juices, teas, cocktails, beers and liqueurs. For cocktails, their own Ellie’s Island costs 12,000 won (SGD $14.50) and a Cuba Libre costs 7000 won (SGD $8.45). They’ve also got a handful of desserts such as a Macadamia Cheese Tart at 6000 won (SGD $7.25) and Green Tea Tiramisu at 7500 won (SGD $9.05).
Address: 21-6 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울특별시 종로구 익선동 수표로28길 21-6)
Operating Hours:
Fri – Sat: 11am to 11pm
Sun – Thurs: 11am to 10pm
Tel.: +82 02-2135-3360
#4. Sigmul
View this post on Instagram
Sigmul Café & Bar is a café that gives off a retro and vintage vibe, almost every corner is slightly different, but when put together, it makes the whole place feel cosy.
Sigmul offers an assortment of alcohol such as Bottled beers, Gin and Whisky, they’ve also got the usual selection of coffees and other beverages, a Lemon Tea or Ade will cost you 6500 won (SGD $7.85). Other food items include Croissants at 5000 won (SGD $6.05) and Fruit cheese with biscuits at 12,000 won (SGD $14.50).
Address: 166-62 Ikseon-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 종로구 익선동 166-62)
Operating Hours: 11am to 1am
Tel.: +82 02-7477-4854
#5. The Summer
The Summer, is a tropical resort themed café, going in the day means having ample sunlight shining into the café, making this café look more welcoming than it already is. Visiting this café is definitely a good way to escape from city life for an hour or two.
Food at The Summer is pretty pricey, a The Summer Slush in Watermelon flavour will cost you 10,000 won (SGD $12.10). Matching up to their theme, they’ve got drinks and desserts you will expect to see around resorts or beaches. Some food items they offer are Black Pepper Chicken Fries at 24,000 won (SGD $29) and Tom Yum Kung Pastry Pizza at 26,000 won (SGD $31.40).
Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울특별시 종로구 익선동 돈화문로11나길 31-9)
Operating Hours: 12pm to 12am
Tel.: +82 2-741-8215
That’s the end of our Ikseon-dong café series! Do tag us in your photos if you ever visit these cafés. Stay tuned for the next one!
Article by Zan @ KAvenyou.com
