With whimsical decor, tasty treats, and out-of-this-world aesthetics, South Korean cafes are in a league of their own. From poop-themed cafes to coffee shops where you can pet sheep, themed cafes in Korea have become a popular trend. Each cafe offers a unique experience that visitors likely cannot find elsewhere.
In this guide, we will discuss South Korea’s most unique and interesting themed cafes. So you can find the perfect one to visit during your next trip to Korea.
- What is a Themed Cafe?
- Best Themed Cafes in Korea
What is a Themed Cafe?
A themed cafe is, as you may have guessed, a cafe with a theme. Most commonly, these are usually independent coffee shops that theme themselves around something unique and not associated with coffee. Think animals, aesthetics, or random objects – the poop cafe in Insadong is known for doing this very well!
When visiting, you can find unique theming like this in everything, from the decor to the menu. Each themed cafe prides itself on catering to creating unique and wonderful experiences.
A wide variety of these types of cafes have gained popularity across Asia in recent years. Cafes with various themes have popped up in Japan, Taiwan, and of course, South Korea. They’re great attractions that are popular with tourists and locals alike but you’re unlikely to find these in a regular travel guide due to the quick turnover of cafes in South Korea.
Defining Themed Cafes
For the purpose of this article, we will be defining themed cafes as cafes that have a uniqueness about them. Be it in their decor, menu, or simply something you can do there!
These may not be one-of-a-kind cafes, but they’ll certainly be out of the norm.
Rise in Popularity of Themed Cafes in South Korea
In recent years, themed cafes have gained a huge amount of popularity in South Korea, with many going viral on social media. They provide a unique and fun experience that makes them great for socializing with friends or enjoying a date.
South Korea’s Cafe Culture and Themed Cafes
South Korea has an incredible cafe culture interwoven in the daily life of locals. So much so, that I wrote my bachelor’s dissertation on coffee consumption in South Korea. While it’s not as famous as cafe culture in Italy, the Korean Culture of coffee has its own uniqueness, which sets it apart from cafes elsewhere in the world.
That said, there are some key differences between regular cafe culture and themed cafes in Korea. Popular chains such as Starbucks, Hollys Coffee, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and even Mega Coffee are well known for their great menus, simple interiors, and for being a hotspot for locals to chat and students to work in, making them a great spot for visiting during everyday life.
Themed cafes, on the other hand, are known for their uniqueness. These are generally not spots visited by students looking for a nice atmosphere to work in or for locals taking some time of their day to chat. Instead, they’re popular amongst younger individuals, looking for something different and fun to add to their Instagram. Many of them are excellent spots for weekend hangouts or dates.
Best Themed Cafes in Korea
In this article, we’re going to explore the best-themed cafes in Korea by genre, so whether you’re interested in pop culture, animal cafes, art cafes, or something unique altogether, you can find your perfect cafe in Korea here.
Pop Culture Cafes
Themed around movies, brands, and iconic characters, pop culture-themed cafes are great hits amongst fans in Korea.
Kpop Cafes
Despite its huge popularity in Korea, there aren’t many cafes themed around K-pop. The SM Town Museum in Gangnam originally had a cafe inside of it, and there is a Kpop museum cafe located in Songpa-gu, however that’s mostly it.
Instead, many K-pop fans opt to visit cafes where K-pop sleeve events are held in celebration of their idol’s birthdays, and even to cafes owned by various K-pop idols.
Harry Potter Cafe
943 Kings Cross is a Harry Potter cafe located in the Hongdae area of Seoul. It spans 5 floors, each with a different theme. Guests can visit the wand shop on the ground floor, Hogsmeade on the second floor, Hogwarts Great Hall on the third floor, and the wizard dormitory on the final floor. The fifth floor is the basement level where you can get magic potions (or alcoholic beverages).
There are wizard robes and props available to rent so you can take cute pictures at this super Instagrammable cafe! You can find it tucked away, just a short walk from Hongdae Subway Station Exit 9.
Kakao Friends Cafes
If you’ve got an upcoming trip to Korea planned, you may have heard of the texting application Kakao Talk. The mascots of the Kakao company are extremely popular in Korea, leading to a variety of stores popping up across the country selling their merchandise.
Inside a couple of these Kakao Stores are cute cafes. You can visit a Ryan cafe in Seoul, and there used to be an APeach cafe in Busan, with many of the drinks and snacks themed after and shaped like the loveable characters.
Koriko Cafe
An unmissable spot for Studio Ghibli Fans, many may recognize the decor of this cafe. The whole establishment is completely themed around the popular 1989 film, Kiki’s Delivery Service. With an exterior mirroring that of the yellow bakery in the film, and a great range of dishes and deserts to try, it’s the perfect spot for anyone who loves this classic Japanese tale.
There is also a Jiji statue and many of the deserts feature this beloved cat too! If that wasn’t enough, if you order an iced drink, you may just get Jiji-shaped ice cubes!
You can also enjoy alfresco dining at the outdoor seating on the terrace. This makes it a great destination if you’re visiting during the summer months!
Other Pop Culture Cafes
There is a huge range of cafes all across Korea that boast excellent unique themes. While these may not advertise themselves as being a themed cafe, be sure to check online using Naver, Kakao, or Google Maps. Many pop culture-themed cafes could be hiding in plain sight. Some of them are home to beloved characters such as Charlie Brown or the cast of Sesame Street.
Animal Cafes
Due to new regulations in animal welfare coming up in recent years, many animal cafes that were once popular in Korea have closed down. This is because they do not have a zoo license. In the interest of Animal welfare, we will be discussing what animal cafes exist in the country, but we only recommend those that have a good standard of animal care.
It’s worth noting that some animal cafes require you to pay on arrival. Their set entry fee usually includes one free drink. This varies from cafe to cafe, however, with many cafes now scrapping the entry fee. Instead, these cafes prefer to enforce an ‘at least one drink per person’ rule.
Cat Cafes
Much like Japan, Korea is popular for its many cat cafes. In the majority of these kitty cafes, guests pay for the time they spend there and receive a cup of coffee on the house for the first hour. Additional time and drinks can be purchased if you wish to extend your stay.
These cafes are at the top of the list for cat lovers on vacation. Visitors can enjoy a delicious drink, and some tasty snacks, and pet all the resident felines in a cozy atmosphere!
Some of the most popular include Cats’ Playground in Myeongdong, Cat’s Loft in Sinchon (both in Seoul), and Yang2 Yang2 in the Jung-gu area of Busan.
Dog Cafes
If you prefer dogs over cats, then a dog cafe may be a better choice for you. There are plenty to choose from and many also act as a doggy daycare service for local residents.
While cat cafes are generally homes to the cats who live there, it’s best to find a dog cafe where dogs do not permanently live in the cafe in the interest of animal welfare. For this reason, it’s a good idea to pass on any dog cafes that have another theme such as corgi cafes, Shiba cafes, husky cafes, or any other cafe that houses just one type of dog.
My personal favorite dog cafe is the Kinderdog Cafe in the Gangnam area of Seoul. It is a cafe for owners of small dogs as it only allows dogs that weigh under 10 kg. Many of the dogs you can find in this cafe are made so comfortable, that they come back time and time again, thanks to the boarding and daycare facilities. Dogs can relax in a private area, in the event they get overwhelmed or need some alone time. There are plenty of toys to play with, a great menu full of food and drinks, dog food available for purchase when you bring your own pet in, and even a range of cute dog clothes, doggy hanboks, and adorable accessories for you to buy for your pooch.
Other Animal Cafes
Although not as common as dog and cat cafes, there are a range of other animal cafes across the country. These include aquarium cafes where you can enjoy aquarium-themed drinks and sit amongst a maze of fish tanks, budgie cafes, sheep cafes, and more, which are perfect if you’re looking for a unique cafe experience.
South Korea used to be famous for being home to the popular meerkat cafe. However, due to a change of laws in animal welfare regulations, many of these were closed down as exotic animals could only be kept by establishments that obtained a zoo license.
Traditional themed Cafes
Cafes with a traditional theme are a huge hit amongst tourists in South Korea. They make excellent backdrops for photos and many of them even go viral on Instagram. They’re popular in areas such as Insadong where visitors rent hanboks from nearby hanbok rental stores and visit to take cute pictures with their traditional Korean snacks. Though these cafes vary in what they sell, many continue the traditional theme, having been converted into quaint traditional tea houses. Others fuse Hanok buildings (old Korean houses) with modern materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind modern cafes.
One of the most famous cafes with a traditional theme is Cafe Onion. Located in Anguk, this cafe is built in an old Hanok and creates the feeling of being transported back in time, while still allowing you to enjoy modern delicacies such as iced coffee. That said, many of its best-selling menu items are a brilliant fusion between traditional tastes and modern food items, such as their Black Soybean Scone. They also offer a great range of delicious pastries, breads, and snacks to enjoy. It’s worth noting That since its creation and spiking popularity Cafe Onion has since established other locations. Be sure to search the term ‘Cafe Onion Anguk’ If you’re looking for the one built inside a Hanok!
Art Cafes
If you’re a budding artist, or simply just fancy enjoying a new hobby at a fun cafe then you may be interested in visiting an art cafe in Korea.
There are a variety of different types of art cafes in major cities as well as some smaller cities in Koreal. Visitors can enjoy various types of creative fun while sampling some delicious coffee. From water-coloring cafes to drawing cafes, pottery painting cafes, and even art cafes where you can work on an easel, there’s a nice spot for everyone, no matter what your favorite art style is!
Unique Cafes
If you’re looking for a cafe with a unique vibe you can’t find elsewhere, check out one of these. From quirky interior decor to themed desserts there’s something about these cafes that you just can’t find anywhere else!
Cafe Tape – Space Themed: Deserts
Cafe Tape is an adorable cafe that may look unassuming but boasts a gorgeous array of space-themed desserts. With swirling galaxies covering the tops of cakes and nebula theme desserts their baked goods will take you on a journey to outer space!
Cafe Layered – Scone Themed: Deserts
Inspired by a wonderful trip to London, the owner of Cafe Layered wanted to recreate their positive experience by sharing a taste of the sweeter side of Europe in the South Korean capital of Seoul, and what better way to do this than with scones?
A staple of British cuisine, Cafe Layered takes a simple scone and develops it into something beautiful. From a traditional jam and cream to a unique Earl Grey cake or scone there are plenty of different scones to sample at this cafe. Since its inception, this cafe has expanded to multiple other venues, with many also boasting gorgeous vintage British-themed decor.
Don’t worry if scones are not your thing as there are plenty of other delicious desserts, drinks, and a variety of pastries to try here. During a visit with my mother in 2018, We sampled a red velvet cake, milkshake, cafe latte, and an adorable cookie shaped like a cute dog!
Ddo-Ong Cafe
Arguably one of the most famous cafes in all of Seoul, and often referred to as simply the Ddong Cafe, this poop-themed cafe is a hit with many tourists. Located in the popular tourist area of Insadong, it’s easy to get to, and boasts a range of cute decor including poop-shaped cushions!
The fun doesn’t stop there, however, as their menu is also poop themed. It features poop-shaped ice creams and drinks, meals, and desserts served in toilet-shaped dishes and cups!
Soha Salt Pond – Salt Themed: Deserts and Decor
Salt Bread has become a huge trend in South Korea in recent years, and what better way to enjoy this tasty treat than at this beautiful cafe with a one-of-a-kind salt theme? With various salt-related decor elements, including those related to salt harvesting, this unique theme is integrated seamlessly with the traditional Korean architectural style of the cafe.
The salt theme flows perfectly from the interior and into the products on offer at this cafe. From delicious iced salted chocolate to a wide selection of different delicious Salt Breads (including, of course, the original) on offer, it’s a truly unique spot in the heart of the capital city in the Jongno District of Seoul. This cafe does get extremely busy. So, depending on when you choose to visit, you may need to queue due to its immense popularity and small amount of seating.
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