Eclectic, industrial Seongsu

What’s going on in Korea’s coffee scene? There’s certainly a visible momentum observed here especially with Seoul’s professional baristas. Take, for example, Sang-ho Park who was the champion in 2013 UK Brewers Cup and 2015 Coffee in Good Spirits, and one of the world finalists in both competitions. Prior to starting his own consulting company Spark Coffee Consulting, Park served as the Head of quality and roasting for East-London's Square Mile Coffee Roasters. Last February, this impressive barista, entrepreneur and Master’s graduate in Sensory Science opened up shop in Seoul around the Ttukseom area. Set up in a fully-renovated former residential complex standing at the entrance of Seoul Forest, the café itself isn’t all too spacious.  But with a polished interior and undoubtedly great coffee, Center Coffee has quickly become the go-to spot for coffee enthusiasts in the Ttukseom/Seoul Forest area. Along with Choi Jun-ho who is one the Korea’s first-generation licensed Q-graders, Park leads the operation here as the head barista, using espresso machines and clever brewing. As for blends, El Salvador Pacas and Honduras Las Virginia’s Washed Geisha are combined to create a well-balanced texture and aroma. One particularly impressive item on the menu is the Santa Felicia Geisha K72 Processing. Geisha coffee began its roots in a Panamanian farm and was fast to be internationally recognized for its exceptional flavor profile. Coffees brewed with Geisha carry a harmonious comb

At Rose Mansion located in Seong-su, seeing someone's underwear being dried on the rooftop next door isn't all that awkward. Itself a humble old house, the charm of the café found at the end of a maze filled with old-fashioned signs and shrub roses is, in fact, the mundane, nostalgic and comforting vibes. If you're trying to get inside, though, it's not all that simple; you might end up opening every door you see and climbing up and down the staircases several times before getting your drink. What you want to look for is the wooden door that'll lead you to the counter.  Once inside, you'll feel relieved, especially if you're into cute social media things—vintage furniture, old-school chandeliers, and little novelty items complete Instagram-worthy scenes available on any angle. As for the menu, the most popular item here is the Rose Latte which has red velvet syrup in it. The "rooftop special" combining 4 types of freshly squeezed detox juices, skewers and beer offers an "interesting" yet easy choice for a group. There are now so many cafés located in Seongsu, but we have a feeling that Rose Mansion will soon be the next trendy spot in the area. After all, Daelim Changgo and Onion and all the other "Seongsu-y" are packed on weekends, and Rose Mansion will offer at least some space for you to breathe.

During a warmer season, the wide open rooftop terrace of Café Onion is popular spot for the trendy Seoulites enjoying coffee and the wind blowing through the area. It isn’t much of a view, actually, as the rooftop is located only on the second floor of the building. Still, it’s enough to watch the scenes filled with surrounding factories and people walking by, while listening to the not-so-distant, strangely calming tunes of that trains passing by.  The building in which the café's located has a long history of its own; built in 1970's, it was previously a supermarket, a restaurant, a repair shop and most recently, a metal factory. While the whole space has indeed been restored with ultra-modern features like wide windows, minimalistic furniture, and a well-curated garden, the café's wide-open interior retains all of its old, rustic and broken-down elements. Just like any trending spot in Seoul, Onion is often seen on the social media and usually busy with young crowds. But because it's got so much space and many available seatings, you won’t have to worry about waiting to get a table (even if you do end up waiting a little, there's a bit of atmosphere you can enjoy in the meanwhile).  Their most popular drink is the Flat White. It might not be as strong as you'd expect, but it's certainly smooth. There are also good pastries, which are all made in-house, at the newer branch of Bread 05 located on the second floor (many of those who stop by the café are only here to pick up

This café is Zagmachi’s second branch, and it opened this May. People in the neighborhood are almost amazed by the young, well-dressed groups of people who visit this spot. Orer’s wooden furniture, curtains and wallpaper somehow make the café look like a home from the ‘70s or ‘80s. But Orer’s greatest appeal is its garden. A team of staff, who used to work for Aus Petits Verres, a famous tart place in Seochon, is in charge of creating the café’s desserts, which are sublime. Now that the heat of summer has somewhat abated, you can enjoy coffee and cake in their garden, whilst listening to classical music. At the moment, the basement of the building is serving as a gallery and the first floor as a café. There are plans to host exhibitions, speeches and seminars on the second floor in the near future.

The owner of the restaurant enjoys scuba diving and carries some serious love for Jeju in her heart. Located in an arcade next to an apartment complex, and away from the bustling industrial areas of Seongsu-dong, it is a simple, comfy curry eatery. She first started her business when she started selling her curry at Bellongjang Market while she was staying in Jeju, and her friends recommended that she sell it. Spicy cheongyang littleneck clam curry, which has stayed on the menu since its non-commercial inception, is what she often made for her friends as a hangover dish after a night of drinking. The owner humbly said that she was surprised to see her curry sell out so quickly at the market. Once you taste her dishes, you’ll understand why her friends told her that she should sell her food.