Studying in the sunshine with a warm breeze: Seoul's best cafes with open outdoor spaces

K-campus

Published: 02 Jun. 2023, 10:03

Studying in the sunshine with a warm breeze: Seoul's best cafes with open outdoor spaces

Dok-dabang is a rooftop cafe across from the Yonsei University campus in western Seoul. [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Visit a cafe in Korea, especially one near a university. You will notice that it is hard to find people who don’t have books or laptops on the table.

Studying at a library is quickly becoming a thing of the past. University students are opting for coffee shops to get their work done after work or school.

“I feel like I am missing out on so many things [...] because I am constantly occupied with school work,” Merianna Maratova, a 25-year-old student at Ewha Womans University from Kyrgyzstan, said. “[When it’s warm out,] I just want to spend as much time outside as I can because it gets humid very quickly in Korea.”

“I have tried to go on study picnics, but it is difficult as mobile data sometimes is not fast enough to keep up with the school work that I have to do,” Maratova added.

For students like Maratova, Korea is famous for its culture of studying or working in cafes. University towns are filled with fully equipped coffee shops, where students stay all day and, sometimes, all night long. Such cafes are particularly popular during the exam periods.

The following are great places to meet up with friends for study sessions and savor the warm weather before it quickly passes by.

Dok-dabang offers a wide range of beverages, especially teas, and has a special seasonal menu. [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Dok-dabang

First opened in 1971, Dok-dabang is a rooftop cafe across from the Yonsei University in western Seoul that allows guests to enjoy the view of an old church and Yonsei’s campus.

The cafe has a spacious terrace that accommodates around 12 widely-spread tables. On colder days, students can stay inside but will still have a chance to sit by the window and enjoy the view.

The guests can get to know a bit more about the cafe by reading the sign at the entrance that explains its history.

Dok-dabang offers a wide range of beverages, especially teas, and has a special seasonal menu. Some of the unique options on the menu are Valrhona hot chocolate, Callebaut Iced chocolate, Trophic sunflower tea, raspberry nectar and quince fruit tea.

@dokdabang
36, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Opens from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on holidays

Cafe Pera near Ewha Womans University in western Seoul offers peaceful view [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Cafe Pera

Cafe Pera is a peaceful and relaxing coffee shop where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Ewha Womans University campus in western Seoul.

There is a terrace that allows customers to enjoy the sunshine during the day and an “awe-mazing” sunset in the evening. For the guests who prefer to stay in the shade, the second floor of the cafe has a sliding glass wall that opens the space to toasty sunlight and enjoyable weather.

Cafe Pera is known for its delicious cakes and many different kinds of pies [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Cafe Pera is also known for its delicious cakes and many different kinds of pies. The strawberry tart is definitely the most popular dessert. Plum tart and crepe cake are also popular items on the menu.

@pera_xoxo
52-45, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Opens from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays

Mtl Hyochang is a cafe located 15 minutes away from Sookmyung Women’s University in central Seoul. [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Mtl Hyochang

Mtl Hyochang is a cafe located 15 minutes away from Sookmyung Women’s University in Yongsan District, central Seoul. The cafe is filled with plants and greenery, and that’s what creates a refreshing vibe.

What makes Mtl Hyochang special is that the cafe also functions as a shop that allows visitors to look around and see displayed items and products, including wine, groceries and even some comics.

The cafe has a terrace for people who prefer spending time under the sun. For the visitors who want to stay inside but still enjoy the weather, there are a few tables next to the sliding glass door that opens up to the terrace.

Mtl Hyochang also sells some groceries, food ingredients and even vegan-related comic books. [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Mtl Hyochang offers a customizable coffee, and a customer can change the milk type and add a few more shots of the coffee if needed. In addition to that, the cafe offers tasty crumbles, sandwich sets, and a food menu, which includes bowls, soups and yogurt.

@mtl_shopncafe
25, Hyochangwon-ro 69-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opens from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day

Barami Sallang is a unique cafe that is located near the campus of Sungkyunkwan University in central Seoul. [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Barami Sallang

Barami Sallang is a unique cafe that is located near the campus of Sungkyunkwan University in central Seoul. A combination of slightly ragged and scratchy gray walls, wood, and metallics in the cafe's interior gives Barami Sallang a vintage vibe.

The cafe has a glass wall that slides to open up access to the cozy inner yard with tables and seats for visitors. To escape the hot weather and baking sun, visitors can take a seat inside right by the cafe’s yard, which will still give them the opportunity to enjoy the weather.

One thing the Barami Sallang is famous for is its waffles with ice cream. If you want to try out a unique dessert, yakgwa, a Korean traditional fried snack made with flour, with ice cream, is also an option.

@baramesalang
35, Changgyeonggung-ro 29-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opens from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on weekends

Cafe Anamdong is a spacious cafe located near Exit 4 of the Anam Station in central Seoul [ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA]

Cafe Anamdong

Cafe Anamdong is a spacious cafe near Exit 4 of the Anam Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 6, where Korea University is situated.

The seating capacity reaches 100, excluding the tables outside. For the convenience of the visitors, the tables outside are equipped with parasols that protect the visitors from the sun. On the contrary, for those who would like to stay inside, there is an option of sitting next to the windows that offer a panoramic view.

Cafe Anamdong offers not only sweet drinks and pastries but also savory dishes such as pizza, hotdogs, bahn mi, and panini. They make a great meal for customers who dedicate the whole day to studying.

@cafe_anamdong
5, Goryeodae-ro 22-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Opens from 10 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays

BY STUDENT REPORTER ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]