Seoul Coffee Ikseon • 서울커피 익선본점
Seoul Coffee (서울커피 익선점) is one of the earliest occupants in Ikseondong (익선동) before the area became one of the hippest neighborhoods in Seoul that it is now. Opening its flagship store in June 2017, my first visit to the cafe was a month after its opening. The cafe is housed in one of the numerous old hanok structures that can be found around the small alleyways in Ikseondong area.
The first thing that will greeted you when you visit the cafe is a thick old wooden door with a nostalgic vintage barber shop signage placed above the solid entrance with the words ‘Seoul Coffee’ rotating slowly inside it. The door itself, preserved in its original form which I imagined was used as a shield by the previous occupants of the residence to fend off any unwanted interactions from the outside world, looks quite intimidating. (Honestly, I was intimidated to go in the first time I passed by this place. Had to go around the block to gather up some courage to push open that wooden door.) But the yellow vintage signage and the glass wall next to it providing a glimpse of what’s inside were warm, intriguing and inviting enough to overcome that feeling of intimidation and replaced it with curiosity. At least that was the case for me.
From the moment I stepped into the space, it was clear to me that the owner(s) (and probably the architects) of this place care greatly about the architecture and design of the store. From the structure of the cafe, the choice of materials and furnishings used for the interior, to the well-designed branding of their menus and products, they all work together wonderfully as a cohesive brand. The space exudes a feeling of nostalgia but feels modern at the same time. It’s old and new, rustic and contemporary, organic and structured all at the same time. The abundant natural light illuminating the place during the day also makes it possible for visitors to observe and enjoy these elements and be immersed in the restored vintage space. Combined this with the coffee aroma that filled the place and the aesthetically pleasing pastries (and additionally the cube ice cream during the summer) neatly displayed on the counter, Seoul Coffee easily became one of my favorite cafe in Ikseondong.
During this particular visit, since it was in the middle of summer, I wanted to try their cube ice cream (큐브 아이스크림) which is one of their signature menu. I think before this, I’ve never seen a cube ice cream designed, packaged, displayed and photographed like how theirs are. So I ordered the strawberry cube ice cream (딸기 큐브 아이스크림) and iced Boseong green tea (보성 녹차) to wash down the sweetness of the ice cream. The cube ice cream itself tasted good. It was flavorful and not too overtly sweet, which I prefer.
A little bit of a tip from me, I’ve been going to this spot for numerous times now and I find that the best time to go is on a weekday during a clear day. The cafe is well-lit during this time and it’s not too crowded with people, which makes your visit more enjoyable if you’re looking for a quite place to have your coffee or read a book. In the evenings, the place is pretty dimly lit, which makes a romantic spot, I guess, but might be hard for you to take photographs or read a book at. During the weekends it could get pretty crowded and noisy.
Other than the cube ice cream (딸기 큐브 아이스크림), other signature menus that you might want to try include their Angbutter Bread (앙버터 식빵), Injeolmi Tiramisu (인절미 티라미수), and Vienna Milk Tea (비엔나 밀크티).
Note: These photos were taken before the pandemic.
Additionally, I’ve done a little bit of research and reading into their design and branding. The Seoul Coffee website gives a good insight into what their story and philosophy behind the brand are. The site is entirely in Korean but if you’re interested in reading more about it, here’s a quick translation of the website via google translate that I did (apologies in advance for any mistake in translation):
Photo Source: Seoul Coffee Website
About Seoul Coffee - Epilogue
It is not easy to find old traces in Seoul, which grows and changes day by day. The old shop, where people always came and went, has changed owners over time and has been transformed into a stylish shopping district. The red mailbox that I saw while walking down the street, the mill that gave off a fragrant smell, and the small coffee shop where we talked about coffee cups are now only left in my memory. I thought it was unfortunate that many people were only looking for a new culture, leaving behind the ordinary but delicious food of that time and the neat and quiet beauty of a hanok.
With this thought in mind, we thought about the factors that can change our old things while maintaining them at the same time. Seoul Coffee is the first project that started out of longing for things that have passed. For modern people who like simple and sophisticated atmosphere, I wanted to remind them once again of the comfort that familiar things provide rather than the feeling of old [outdated]. It's the kind of comfort that can only be felt in furniture that has faded over time. Even though Seoul Coffee is a little rough among the existing standardized stores, it conveys the comfort of 'familiar' rather than 'old'. It is our wish to deliver a cozy space and authentic food that captures the sentiments of old Seoul.
Photo Source: Seoul Coffee Website
Seoul Coffee - Brand Identity
There was a time when I was playing 'Mugunghwa has bloomed' as a child. In those days, Mugunghwa flowers were common, but now it is difficult to see them wherever you go on the streets of Seoul. Mugunghwa, which means endless new flowers blooming every day, is also connected to the strong self-reliance and the spirit and spirit of our people. We tried to reflect the meaning of the Korean flower, Mugunghwa, which has become a rare flower, and to capture the heart of Seoul Coffee, which keeps and develops the old things.
Photo Source: Seoul Coffee Website
Seoul Coffee - Brand Concept
With the motif of an image that was often seen in Seoul in the 1980s, the concept of natural connection between the old and the new was taken. Using chairs and tables made of wood and basalt that we do not get tired of even after looking at them for a long time, we created a space where they can naturally blend in, alongside with plant decorations everywhere. Additionally, the round sphere-shaped lights also give a sense of comfort.
Photo Source: Seoul Coffee Website
Seoul Coffee - Ikseon Story
As I was walking down a rustic alley in Ikseon-dong, which I found by chance at sunset, I recalled the vague memories of going back to my childhood and playing hide and seek with my friends. Those days when you could eat everything from sweets to chocolate ice cream for 500 won. Now that we are changing and developing day by day, we may be missing the good old days even though it is rather slow.
Ikseon-dong, which has preserved its old appearance from the faded wooden gates, quiet stone walls, and rustic laundry, is the oldest hanok village in Seoul that has endured over 100 years, and is a precious place where the present and the past coexist. Ikseon-dong has maintained its long history in a rapidly developing city, just as the sophistication of the new is only temporary and the comfort of the old makes you stop for a moment. The only place where time has stopped in the middle of the bustling and lively Jongno.
The nostalgic atmosphere of Seoul in the ‘80s felt in Ikseon-dong is also the biggest reason why Seoul Coffee is located here. Ikseon-dong and Seoul Coffee have a lot in common in that they do not simply stay in the tradition, but change the old ones to fit the present. As much as we have taken our first steps in a good space, we will always move forward slowly with a humble attitude to preserve the good culture unique to Seoul
Photo Source: Seoul Coffee Website
Seoul Coffee - Philosophy
01. We Continue the Past into the Present
Memories have a newer and longer lasting scent than your memory. Seoul Coffee, which started out of nostalgic longing for the past, seeks to find things that contain traces of time, and wants to continue the memories of the old days that we miss when we are tired of new things.
02. We Make Our Food
Memorable foods such as pretzels, dalgona, and kimchi sikhye that I enjoyed eating at the market with my mother when I was a child are rare these days. These days, where only Western-style desserts are available, we want to let you know that ours is good enough, and we want to be a new type of cafe that preserves the old but interprets it anew.
03. We Deliver the Culture of Seoul
Seoul, which has grown faster than any other city, is now one of the cities that many people around the world pay attention to. As the saying goes that the most Korean thing is the most global thing, with this sentiment, Seoul Coffee aims to create our own wonderful culture together.
(Excerpt taken from Seoul Coffee website.)
Seoul Coffee Ikseon • 서울커피 익선점
Address: 서울 종로구 수표로28길 33-3
Telephone: 0507-1404-4890
Hours: Everyday 11:00-22:30
Instagram: @seoulcoffee1945
