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It’s not easy to find a traditional hanok in Seoul amidst a forest of skyscrapers. Most tourists who want to feel the antique atmosphere and beauty of hanok visit ancient royal palaces or head to the Bukchon Hanok Village. But hanok-style cafes are now a major trend in Korea. Here, people not only visually enjoy the traditional Korean house but also enjoy delicious food. We introduce hidden hanok cafes in Seoul where visitors can relax and take a rest in a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.

Ikseon-dong, Seoul's Oldest Hanok Village

Seoul Coffee, Ikseon Branch

Ikseon-dong is a representative place in Seoul where past and present coexist. It is constantly attracting locals and tourists all year round. It is becoming famous especially among young people, so more foreign tourists are visiting the place. Seoul Coffee encapsulates the feeling of Seoul in the '80s. This franchise cafe specializes in conveying traditional Korean culture by bringing back old memories of Korea to allow everyone to bask in the nostalgia of simpler times before modern, high-tech cafes took over. It boasts a hanok-style interior and serves various Korean menus. As such, the café is perennially bustling with visitors who want to feel what it’s like to be in both old and new Seoul.

Enjoy an authentic Korean atmosphere

Cha Masineun Tteul

“Cha Masineun Tteul” is a traditional teahouse. It is an ideal café to enjoy various kinds of traditional Korean tea. Befitting the concept of olden-day teahouse, the café offers low wooden tables on the floor for enjoying the authentic ambience of hanok. Worried because you’re not familiar with traditional tea? There are recommendations for first-timers. Korean-style desserts such as danpatjuk (sweet red bean porridge), Sirutteok rice cake, and many more delicious side dishes are on the menu. You can enjoy the view of the beautifully organized garden over the window from the interior space. This lets you have some moment of relaxation with a cup of traditional tea.

Beautiful nighttime ambiance

E.Chae Café

This is the place where you can feel the harmony between hanok and coffee at the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village. The spacious E.Chae Café offers both indoor and outdoor seats. Sitting outside on breezy afternoons will make you feel relaxed with the warm sunlight. Sit by the window and look outside; you will fall in love with the city’s most beautiful view of hanok village. The café serves not only coffee but also wine as a main menu. For customers seeking wine, the café extends its operating hours to 10 PM. So if you want to enjoy not just the warm atmosphere in daytime, but also the classy mood of hanok at night, E.Chae Café is the perfect choice.

Modern Hanok with 100-year history

J. Hidden House

A traditional hanok with over 100 years’ history was renovated into a café that is now called J. Hidden House. This hanok cafe was elaborately restored through handwork. As such, the sensibility of traditional hanok is still kept intact, but the inside is neatly designed with modern-style interior. The café is located near Dongdaemun, the must-visit shopping and tourism area in Seoul. Thus, it is expected to be a new and unique resting place for foreign tourists. It’s easy to visit since it’s only a minute away on foot from exit no. 10 of Dongdaemun Station line no. 4. The walls are whole glass windows through which a beautifully polished garden is visible from the inside. The delicate interior also makes any corner of the cafe a photo spot. Why don’t you visit J.Hidden House and get a best-ever picture each time?