Heading down to Seoul was a bit of a mission due to protests about American beef and the people’s confidence in their new leader. We were forced off our buses early due to road blocks and had to make our way through hoards of police officers to get to our destination. Anyway we were headed for 커피 방앗간 (Coffee Mill). My girlfriend said it’s well known for using good beans and hand dripping the coffee as well as some unique interior decoration.

From the outside the shop looks very small but once you enter it goes back pretty far and tables and chairs are squeezed in here and there throughout the entire of the old building. The interior was indeed special. The walls were covered in photographs and drawings, and odd items and pink helmets took up the rest of the space. Customers are encouraged to make use of the available notebooks to draw in and stick things on the walls.

The coffee was delicious. I had a hot cup of hand dripped Ethiopian mochahara. The smooth and slightly strong taste really hit the spot. For a few hours my friends and I chatted and doodled some pictures to leave behind. Well worth stopping by if you’re in the area - 삼청동, Seoul (a 10 minute walk from 안국역).

Photos on Facebook.