The narrow alley leading to Coffee Hanyakbang

Coffee Hanyakbang, A Hip Retro Café in the Alleys of Euljiro

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Coffee bean display and retro accessories

I feel like I’ve been posting about cafes a lot lately. Last month, I had dinner in Myeong-dong with two friends. After a delicious dinner, one of my friends suggested we try a unique café instead of a chain. That’s how we ended up at Coffee Hanyakbang in Euljiro. It’s a retro-style café tucked away in an alley in Euljiro. Since it’s located in an alley right in the heart of the city, you’ll get to experience a completely different atmosphere. Of course, I paid for it myself. Haha

History of Coffee Hanyakbang

This café was built on the site of Hyeominseo, a state medical institution where the renowned Joseon-era doctor Heo Jun treated the common people. As a result, it’s a retro-style café designed to resemble an old herbal medicine shop. If you look at the entrance on the first floor, you’ll see this message written in Hangul.

Coffee Hanyakbang Drip Bag Gift Set

Directions to Coffee Hanyakbang

  • Subway: Take Exit 1 at Euljiro 3-ga Station and turn into the alley toward Shinhan L Tower. You’ll find a very narrow alley further inside. First-time foreign visitors may have trouble finding it. I’ve attached a Google Map with directions to Coffee Hanyakbang. Be sure to check it before heading there.
  • Bus: Get off at the Euljiro 2-ga, Fine Avenue stop; the Euljiro 2-ga, IBK Headquarters, Seoul Labor Office stop; or the Cheonggye 2-ga, Samil Bridge stop. This is both the charm and the challenge of Euljiro there are many old buildings and narrow alleys. So, to avoid getting lost, be sure to consult a map!
The narrow alleyway in Eulji-ro leading to the entrance of Coffee Hanyakbang

My Travel Tip

If you’re traveling in Korea, I highly recommend using Naver Maps. It provides much more detailed information than Google Maps when you’re looking for directions or information to get to your destination.

My Travel Itinerary

After eating in Myeong-dong or Jongno, I like to walk to help with digestion. It’s an easy 10- to 15-minute walk, so it’s no hassle at all. If you haven’t eaten yet, check out “MokmyeokSanbang: A Serene Korean Restaurant Near Namsan Tower.”

Menu (including what I ordered)

  1. Filter Coffee (price varies)
  2. Café Latte (5,500 KRW)
  3. Cappuccino (5,500 KRW)
  4. Vanilla Latte (6,000 KRW)
  5. Espresso (4,500 KRW)
  6. Conpanya (5,500 KRW)
  7. Sujeonggwa Latte – A signature coffee paying homage to Sujeonggwa, a traditional Korean beverage (7,000 KRW)
  8. Chocolate Latte (6,000 KRW)
  9. Milk Tea (6,000 KRW)
  10. Ssanghwatang (9,500 KRW) – A traditional Korean tea made from 11 ingredients

This place is famous for its filter coffee. When you order filter coffee, you can choose the beans. We ordered a ConPanna, a Cappuccino, and a Café Latte. Come to think of it, even though they’re famous for filter coffee, we ended up ordering something else. Haha;; I guess we just really wanted what we ordered at the time. T.T

Coffee ordered from Coffee Hanyakbang

It was my first time trying a ConPanna, and the flavor was incredible. The cream and coffee blended perfectly, and it was delicious. I asked my friends about the cappuccino and café latte, and they said they were more than just decent they were really good. Going to a café is partly about chatting and relaxing, but the main reason is to drink coffee, and if the coffee isn’t good, you won’t go back. But here, every drink we ordered was delicious. If you’re visiting Seoul, be sure to try items on the menu besides just coffee.

A Quick Fun Fact

In the past, coffee was called “gabae” in Korea. Knowing this will make you look smart in front of your friends

Interior view of Coffee Hanyakbang

When you arrive at the entrance, you might be confused about which way to go, as there are doors on both sides. One leads to Coffee Hanyakbang, and the other to a dessert shop called Hye-min-dang. Don’t worry they’re both run by the same owners. If you go through the door marked “Coffee Hanyakbang,” you’ll see the counter.

Retro tables and windows with an old-fashioned charm

The retro furniture and interior design, reminiscent of a traditional herbal medicine shop, are sure to catch your eye. The elegant mother-of-pearl cabinets, herbal medicine bag-inspired lighting, and wooden floors will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The shop also sells coffee beans and drip bags, packaged in a style reminiscent of how herbal medicine was sold in traditional shops. They make great gifts, so feel free to pick some up. If you’re looking for a trendy, modern café rather than a traditional Korean vibe, check out Vonzrr Bakery, a new large-scale café in Seochon.

Here’s a tip from me on finding a seat

This is a hotspot that attracts everyone from Gen Z to older patrons. Naturally, it gets crowded. After ordering your coffee at Coffee Hanyakbang, head to the opposite side toward Hyemindang, and you’ll see a staircase. Just go up there. There are seats on the 2nd and 3rd floors, so feel free to sit wherever you like. The stairs are quite steep, so please be careful when climbing!

Once you go up the stairs, you’ll see that the second and third floors are decorated in a similar style to the first floor. There are various retro decorations and tables, so take a look around and then sit down at an empty spot. We found a spot on the third floor. We took a lot of photos here too, and you’ll definitely be able to snap plenty of Instagram-worthy shots. Be sure to take some photos!

Eulji-ro is lined with tall high-rise buildings, and its alleyways are home to many old cafes and restaurants. It’s a great place to experience both the city center and traditional charm all at once. Recently, it has become a hotspot among the MZ generation, leading to the emergence of many more charming and picturesque spots. If you’re visiting Seoul, I highly recommend stopping by at least once.

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