Bear cafe

Last week, my friend and I spent a day exploring Seochon, Seoul. Although many stores I wanted to visit were closed, we stumbled upon Bear Cafe in Hyoja-dong, which turned out to be the perfect spot to rest our tired feet. After reading about this hanok-style cafe on a blog, I was eager to check it out for myself.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

Located in an alleyway in Seochon, Bear Cafe might not immediately catch your eye. From the outside, it doesn’t look like a traditional hanok (Korean traditional house), but once you step inside, it’s clear that the space preserves its hanok essence.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

Through the gate, you’ll find a lovely hanok-style building, which I couldn’t stop admiring, as I’m a big fan of this architectural style.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

Bear Cafe’s interior is a mix of modern simplicity and hanok charm. The space features white tables and chairs, creating a clean and minimalist vibe.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

The big glass window near the counter adds a contemporary touch, but I found the decor somewhat unexpected—perhaps influenced by the rainy weather on the day of my visit.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

One standout feature was the wooden floor seating inside the glass door, which gives a nod to traditional Korean interiors.

Menu

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

I ordered an Americano (4,500 won), while my friend chose an Ice Cream Latte (6,000 won). Although dessert was available, nothing on the menu caught my interest that day, so we stuck with drinks.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

While waiting, we explored the café’s merchandise, which included books, phone covers, and phone grips. As I already have plenty of phone grips at home, I didn’t buy anything.

The coffee itself was fine, but the serving size felt a bit small.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

Bear Cafe also doubles as a book café, as it’s owned by the publishing company Design Ieum. Inside, there’s a small bookstore with a variety of books and merchandise. Although I wanted to browse the books more closely, I was too exhausted and opted to find a seat instead.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

The backyard garden was a highlight of Bear Cafe. The temperature that day was perfect—not too hot or too cold—so we chose to sit outside to enjoy the scenery.

The pine trees, beautiful flowers, and peaceful atmosphere made the garden feel like a little oasis in the city. One flower in particular caught my eye—perhaps a peony blossom?

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

We sat at a low outdoor table, which was a bit awkward for sitting comfortably, but since we only had drinks and no dessert, it worked fine.

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea

bearcafe seochon seoul hanok cafe korea Bear Cafe is a charming hanok-style café with a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for unwinding in the heart of Seochon. While the coffee was good but not remarkable, the ambiance, backyard garden, and peaceful setting make it well worth a visit.