The air in the morning and in the evening has become quite chilly already. The trees on the streets have begun to change into vibrant fall colors. The leaves are spent as they relinquish their hold, falling to the earth one by one, hinting at a deepening autumn season. As the fallen leaves lay on the ground, they seem to convey a sense of loneliness, drawing sentiment from passers-by. At times like these, there's nothing like a warm, aromatic cup of coffee to provide some consolation.
The wind is blowing. The time to enjoy the eye-squinting, crisp blue sky and the cosmos flowers seemingly dancing in the slightest breeze is short. Let’s put on our stylish trench coats and step outside for a visit to three nice coffee shops where you can enjoy the shamefully short-lasting autumn to the fullest among the scattering of fallen leaves.
Champ Coffee 3rd Workroom: For a Warm Cup, "Hipjiro" Style
Your trench coat lightly sways in the wind. The attire of people who are walking briskly by tell us that we’re deep into the autumn season. Downtown Seoul also changes its color in autumn. And our sensibility deepens as well. When it comes to this seasonal transformation, Euljiro cannot be left out. And within the Euljiro area, a neighborhood known for its eccentric harmony of tall skyscrapers and old commercial buildings, the Sewoon Arcade Shopping Center plays a quintessential part of the Euljiro experience. The center was reborn as part of an urban regeneration project, and it became the place to visit in Seoul as the retro trend began to take off. In this building where many k-drama series are filmed, including Vincenzo, there’s a cool coffee shop that is great for having a cozy, fall cup of coffee.
Champ Coffee was founded by three brothers who came together to make this café venture work after previously walking their own paths. The items on the menu of Champ Coffee aren’t comprised of joint recipes, but rather, each person’s own direct experiences and genuineness, helping elevate the unique and differentiated taste of their brand. Champ Coffee is also the name of their signature menu item, and it boasts an amazing taste thanks to the perfect ratio of coffee with exquisite body and milk. At Champ Coffee, where the taste of coffee is taken as the utmost priority, visitors can choose their own coffee bean type. There are also alternative options for milk, such as oat milk, for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant.
One thing that can’t be forgotten when it comes to Champ Coffee is the cookies. Champ Coffee’s handmade cookies are already very well-known to foodies, so be sure to grab a scrumptious bite while you're there! The fantastic combination of coffee and cookies will be pleasing to your palate. You may buy not only the coffee beans and drip bags, but also get cookies gift-wrapped as well.
Although the inside of Champ Coffee isn’t spacious, there are quite a lot of seats available outside, so you can enjoy the trendy ambiance of the area in the cool of the autumn breeze. Let’s enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at Champ Coffee, experience the hip styleof the Sewoon Arcade Shopping Center, and walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. The deepening mood of autumn and the beautiful streets of Euljiro are guaranteed to leave their mark.
- Address 157, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (3F, Rm. 381, Row D(la))
- Phone +82-10-8943-4516
- Operation Hours Daily 11:30 - 20:00 KST
- Instagram @champcoffee_official
1in1jan: For a Leisure Cup among the Harmonious Backdrop of Bukhansan Mountain and Hanoks
The view of the brilliantly crisp blue skies and tickling autumn breeze that kisses your cheeks is what autumn is all about. They make us want to desperately break free from the bustling downtown area and fully indulge in the season, even if it’s somewhere not far away. When you’re feeling this way, there’s a respite you can rely on. It's located in the serene and quiet Eunpyeong Hanok Village, amid the picturesque autumn mountain background. That respite is none other than a café called 1in1jan (lit. one cup per person).
Unlike its simple exterior, the inside is filled with a traditional Korean vibe. The traditional door with lattice patterns, stepping stones, and various shapes of small, conventional tea tables and teaware selections displayed on the wall go well together with the view of hanoks outside. When you order something from the menu, the drinks and dessert are served on a small tea table instead of a tray, which presents not only the joy of sharing food, but also the uniquely interesting experience.
The building of 1in1jan is comprised of six floors. Those who came to enjoy its menu can use three floors among them and the rooftop area. The 1st and 2nd floors are spaces dedicated to café visitors, and the 3rd floor is comprised of both the café area and Karimoku Furniture store. The 4th and 5th floors are "1in1sang" (lit. one table per person), where visitors can order desserts and brunch menus. Here, visitors can enjoy desserts served like a meal. On the 5th floor, there’s a separate hanok annex area, which is recommended for those who prefer a quieter, separate space.
Visitors can use the roof garden in the rooftop area on the 6th floor after ordering a drink from the 1st floor. You can take in autumn to your heart's content along with the nice silhouette and beauty of the traditional hanok houses that are lined up beyond the wide glass walls and the view of the Bukhansan Mountain in the background. The scenery itself is reminiscent of a traditional landscape painting.
In 1in1jan, you can also order desserts besides the usual selection of coffee or traditional tea. There are various desserts made with Korean traditional rice cakes, such as red bean rice cake and banana rice cake. With the exception of the 1st and 2nd floors, all other spaces are operated as “no-kid zones.” Parking space is available for only approximately six cars, so it would be more convenient to use a nearby public parking lot.
Make some time to visit this scenic gem hidden away in a hanok village beside the colorful foliage of the mountainside. Come sit back and let yourself at ease before the wondrous autumn landscape.
- Address 534, Yeonseo-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
- Phone +82-2-355-1111
- Operation Hours Daily 10:00 - 21:00 KST (Hours vary per floor)
- Instagram @1in_official
Conhas Yeonhui: For a Charming Cup in a Quiet Residential Area
Is there anything better than to take a walk around a beautiful neighborhood to enjoy the deepening autumn? Yeonhui-dong emanates a much different atmosphere than the nearby streets if Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong. Yeonhui-dong is one of the oldest wealthy neighborhoods in Seoul, and it is quiet and cozy. The artistic style of the neighborhood’s houses and the gardens seen over the fence wall that have been tended to over the years bring out the unique, sophisticated ambiance of Yeonhui-dong. In this quiet yet sensible street, there’s a great café to fully enjoy autumn – Conhas Yeonhui .
Conhas, for short, is located in the middle of a beautiful residential area, tucked away from the alleys of commercial buildings. Just like the houses near the café, Conhas also looks quite impressive from the outside. Renovated from an ordinary house, this café may give off a cold first impression, like that of an urban building, due to its large size and exposed concrete walls, but once you step inside, it's an entirely different story.
Since its having been renovated into its current form from a residential home, Conhas no longer has the atmosphere of a living space as it once had a residence. The café put a spin on the spacing of the interior, while also incorporating some of the previously-used furniture and doors into the style of the café. As a result, a closet has transformed into a main table, with furniture doors and room doors having transformed into chairs and tables, offering an interesting yet meaningful sight to the visitors.
Conhas is comprised of three floors. The 1st floor is where the café entrance is, which then expands into areas on both the 2nd and basement floors. Each floor is divided into different spaces, which all provide a little something different ambiance-wise. There’s a courtyard outside the basement floor, and the 2nd floor is comprised of both indoor and the outdoor terrace areas. The indoor space on the 2nd floor is made of rooms where you sit on the floor, ideal for those who need a private place.
The center of the café building has an open structure, so you can enjoy a different atmosphere depending on where you are sitting. The centerpiece of Conhas, however, is the pool, which creates a brilliant scenery being located within an urban home interior surrounded by trees and vegetation. It's quite a sight in person. Sitting near the pool and enjoying the autumn sunlight shining upon you while having a cup of coffee is a great way to fully enjoy this time of year. Conhas has various items on its menu, from special teas and general coffee drinks, to desserts, and even a brunch selection. Since it is difficult to find parking in the Yeonhui-dong residential area, nearby public parking or public transportation is your best bet.
This autumn, spend some time in Conhas, a café with a sensible interior that has even been awarded recognition from the Seoul Architecture Awards. The colorful fall leaves in combination with the café vibe will leave your senses replenished.
- Address 1-1, Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1, 2F)
- Phone +82-2-325-0792
- Operation Hours Daily 10:00 - 23:00 KST
- Instagram @conhascoffee_co.ltd
