Seoul's Quirky Cafés

One of the strange things about living in Korea is that often a single cup of coffee will cost more than the price of a large meal.  Not that meals are expensive, but still.  The coffee-shop industry here is booming and you can find them on pretty much every street; most are your standard chain coffee shops, but every now and then you come across a cool 'n' quirky café which gives you an unusually exciting coffee experience from  cats to bunk beds.  Lemme tell you more...

• CAT CAFÉS

I'd heard about these existing in Japan, but when I saw that there were a few in Seoul I just had to get to one!  Missing my big fat feline at home, it was a fun chance to play with some kitties that weren't A) Stray B) A million miles away.  I've been to 3 or 4 cat cafés in Seoul, and they are all pretty similar.  They are a really popular place for young Korean couples to go to on dates....I mean who wouldn't want to be taken on a date to play with cats? That's just normal, right?  

The standard routine seems to be to pay a cover of about 8,000won, put on some sexy slippers and then go in to play with the cats for however long you like.  A drink is included in the cover, but it's best to drink it quite quickly as even with a lid, it's quite likely a furry friend will brush past your straw and you will end up with a mocha-furra-chino....or something.  Hmm.

One thing that amused me greatly was the 'rule poster'.... From what I can make out there is 'no paparazzi kitty,' 'no slapping the kitty's arse' and of course 'no feeding them hamburgers, bags of crisps or corndogs' (i think that's what they are).  Thank god for that last one.  Who knows what kind of crazy-ass-shit would go down if that rule wasn't there.  I can only imagine what the second up from the bottom left means.....'don't give the cats an electric whisk and/or use the cats as basketballs.....'

They are mostly very cute apart from the token bald cat which looks more like an alien and feels even worse *shudders*.  I would defo recommend.  

This kind of thing could CATch on back in England.   But, if you don't like cats then you may find yourself shouting 'get MEOWTA here'...... (sorry, couldn't resist).

Directions to a few cat cafés

• Gio Cat Café:  Hongik Univ. Station, Seoul Subway Line 2, Exit #6 >> Follow the street with the Smoothie King in front of the Hongik Univ. entrance
• Another Cat cafe in Hongdae:
  1) Get off Hongik Univ station Exit 5 and walk straight.2) Turn left and walk up the street.3) Turn at your second right.4) Keep looking to the left. You’ll see it on its own side street above "fuckfake" and the Hello Kitty cafe.
• Hello Cat Cafe: Gangnam station, exit 6. Turn left as soon as you come out of the exit and walk down the side street. At the end of the street is another road. About two buildings to the right is a 7-11, Hello Cat Cafe is above this on the fourth floor. 
• Hello Cat Godabang: Sinchon.  Can't remember exit, but it's close to station and on 8th floor.
• One more Godabang cat cafe: Konkuk University Station (I don't know exit).

DOG CAFÉS

Yes, you are reading correctly.  And yes, it is what you think it is.  Similar to the cat cafes above, Seoulites have taken the fad one step further and opened a dog cafe.  The only one I know of is also in the funky/arty/studenty area of Hongdae and it is pretty similar to the cat cafes...but instead you avoid piss and shit play with cute / crazy dogs.  

I won't lie to you, the smell isn't most appealing.  Upon entering the cafe, your nose will be assaulted with the smell of...well...dog.  Or should I say 30-something dogs; from the small ratty kind to the big slobbery kind....but be warned for the latter if you decide to buy treats!  We were also greeted by a urinating dog (on the floor...of course), pines/whines/barks and a Febreeze-spraying employee.

I found out the hard way that it is also a bring-your-own-dog thing when a Korean couple kept hovering around waiting for this adorable puppy that I was playing with.  I was thinking 'there are 100 other dogs, get your own dog to play with, mehhhh' and then it turned out to actually be their dog.  Oops.

It's a fun/unique experience, albeit a smelly one.  It wasn't at all relaxing compared to the cat cafes, but it's worth a visit if you are a dog person or just want to do something different.

This is what happens if you buy treats...

•  Bau Haus Dog Cafe  바우하우스 :

           405-13 Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

- Go to Hapjeong Station (합정역) exit #3

-Walk straight ahead to first big intersection
-Turn right, walk straight ahead, over slight hill
-At Koryo restaurant, where the street bends left, turn right

-At the Praha Castle, turn left

HELLO KITTY CAFÉ

If you love the world famous kitty that is 'Hello Kitty,' then this cafe is a must.  It's actually amazing.  Everything including the toilet seat is all pink and Hello Kitty-y.

The front of the cafe

One of the best things about this cafe, aside from the decor, is the fact that Hello Kitty's big mug cute little cat face is printed in to your drinks.....

Our drink order

Menu

Hello Kitty Cafe 헬로키티 카페

 Address:
서울시 마포구 서교동 358-112
Seoul 358-112 Seogyo
Tel : 02-334-6570

Operation hours :
11:00～24:00 (Friday & Saturday)～2:00

How to get there by subway :
Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 5; Hapjeong Station, line No. 2 or 5, exit 3; or Sangsu Station, line No. 6, exit 1. It’s on an uphill alley off of Hongdae’s main drag of shops and boutiques. 




Yetchatjip (old teahouse)

This is a really cute and traditional cafe in the heart of Insadong.  If you have been to Insadong before, then you will understand how crazy it gets with tourists, but just off the main strip down a little side street, you will find this unique and very quirky little tea shop.

The vibe as you set inside is really relaxing and perfect after a hard days shopping.  

One of the best things about this  tea shop is the fact that they have a selection of little songbirds to look and 'aww' at whilst you drink your tea. 

The interior is strange to say the least, with old toys, post-it notes from visitors, traditional Korean decorations and a creepy rocking horse.  It's a little  jumble-saley but it works really well.

Directions

Anguk Station, Seoul Subway line 3, Exit #6 Keep walking straight down the main Insadong-gil until you see a small wooden sign on your left.