When thinking of a traditional tea house, almost everyone will imagine drinking tea inside a Hanok. Foreigners and tourists may find this to be a new experience for them, but for many of the locals, one could go so far as to say that it’s gotten boring. With the blossoming of spring, many traditional tea houses have opened up in the northern districts (known for their traditional vibes) but many of them really aren’t that special and some don’t even professional knowledge of traditional teas. Pondering amongst the disappointment of these ‘traditional tea houses’, we contently discovered Solgahun.
Solgahun is a Hanbang (traditional pharmacy) healing café, inside a Hanok with pine wood walls, roofs, floors, and even furniture making 90% of all materials pine. The orange wooded hues may get a little overwhelming, but it has calming effects perfectly suited for a rejuvenating café. Inside, the floor is made of red clay and elvan stone (commonly used in Korean spas to promote blood circulation) keeping your feet warm and cozy. The tea they sell is both traditional and professional, meaning that they will serve you the right tea according to your physical state. The tea has been developed through the years by JinSan Traditional Pharmacy, a well-known Hanbang located in Pocheon. Your tea will be delivered on a tray with dried jujubes, sunflower seeds, and an hourglass. Once all the sand has been drained is when you can begin to drink you tea and truly begin to indulge in the ‘tea treatment’. After all, Solgahun serves teas that are good for re-energizing part of your body suffering from fatigue.
Another exciting part of Solgahun, other than their rejuvenating tea selection, is their healing experiences. They include a foot bath and even moxibustion. The foot baths are extremely popular amongst the visitors as they are outside giving you a view of the blue skies under a Hanok roof. The warm water is infused with traditional medicine, allowing you to soak up all the nutrients not only from the tea that you drink but also from the bottom of your feet.