The Korean Cafe Experience

Korea is home to an amazing café culture that goes beyond just coffee and drinks. Many cafés have unique themes that make them stand out. During my stay in Korea, I’ve had the chance to experience this culture firsthand, and it’s definitely an experience I will not forget.

Study Cafés

If you have an exam around the corner or just need to get some studying done, going to a study café is a great option. They offer a quiet atmosphere and drinks, and often something small to eat like pastries or the like. Study cafés are often open until late at night, some even 24 hours a day, and there are plenty of them around Sinchon.

Samoyed Café

A memorable café I got to experience was a Samoyed Café called Winter's Village, located in Hongdae. After waiting in line for a short while, we were let into a two story café filled with Samoyed dogs. And after getting instructions on how to behave around the dogs, we were given a few dog treats and got to meet the dogs. Beverage-wise, cafés like these are not very impressive as they choose to focus on the animals and creating an experience.

Meerkat Café

My first memorable café experience after coming to Korea was going to a meerkat café called Meerkat Friends, also located in Hongdae. Not only did this café have meerkats, but also cats, raccoons, foxes, and more! Similarly to the Samoyed Café, this café does not focus on the drinks but rather creating a memorable experience for you with their animals.

Archery Café

My favorite café so far is an Archery café called Robin Hood, that is located in Sinchon. If you have never tried archery before or just want a refresher, the employees will take you through a brief training course before playing either a mini- or a regular game. This café also has drinks you can purchase during the game.