Stumptown Coffee Roasters Garosu-Gil • 스텀프타운 커피 로스터스

I first heard about Stumptown Coffee Roasters (스텀프타운 커피 로스터스) after I moved to Seattle. Just like I associate Blue Bottle Coffee with San Francisco, I associate Stumptown Coffee with Puget Sound and Portland. I'm not necessarily saying that those brands are the best brands in those two cities (they might as well be, but what do I, a non-coffee drinker, know. really), but more because of my friends and the people that I met in those two cities just happened to named those brands as their favorite coffee to drink. Seeing the brand in Seoul, this time in Garosu-gil (가로수길) to be exact, gave me a sense of familiar feeling and reminded me of the time I spent in Seattle. Funny sometimes when I realized the things that I associate with a certain period of my life seemed so small and unimportant back then, but now, they could mean hundreds of memories.

I didn't know when this place was open in Garosu-gil, but I'm guessing not too long ago since I didn't remember seeing it there last summer. I was actually talking about Stumptown Coffee beans with a friend of mine a couple of days before and was telling him that he should try their coffee beans because it's pretty well-known in Portland. And whaddaya know. A couple of days later, I just happened to pass by this place when I was exploring Garosu-gil. Since I'm already there, I thought I would buy a bag of their coffee beans and give it to my friend to try. There was some kind of discount going on I think, cos I get a small discount and a free bottle of cold-brew coffee.

A little about the place, the coffee stand is actually in the same building as the Official Holiday by Koon store. It has a small outdoor seating area, which is pretty nice and cozy I would say. I didn't get to browse around the store other than the Stumptown's corner, but I would definitely go back and check out the store and maybe have a cup of tea and sit around for a bit.

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Update:

This cafe is now closed.

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Fritz Coffee Company • 프릳츠 도화점

Went to Fritz Coffee Company (프릳츠 커피 컴퍼니) on a nice spring Sunday afternoon with Soo Zee and Leigh to do some work and play. It's been a while since I hung out at a coffee shop on a weekend, I forgot how crowded it can be. This place was especially busy and packed when I walked in. Since I was the last one to arrive, I tried to look for Soo Zee and Leigh when I came in, but couldn't find them anywhere. Apparently, they were on the second floor on the balcony area, which I didn't know this place have. The whole coffee shop is definitely much bigger than it lead on from the outside.

The place is famous for its pastries it seemed like, cos they have a bunch of pastries selections laid out on trays displayed across from the coffee bar. I got the usual, my usual, pain au chocolat with a cup of warm hot chocolate. They were good. I also tried the plain croissant, and I would say it's pretty good. Soo Zee and Leigh thought it was alright, the Old Croissant Factory has better. I never been to the Old Croissant Factory so I didn't know better. 

Anyways, one of the thing that happened during this visit was since the place is pretty big, they have this loud speaker installed on the balcony area to call out orders. The volume on that thing was a little on the loud side and it gets annoying after a couple of times. We just laughed it off after the baristas shouted out the fourth order number. If you are looking for some peace and quite, definitely stay away from the speakers or try to find a seat in the first floor area.

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Sightglass Coffee

Up to this point, I have posted many posts about cafes that I've visited in the past. And if you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that I'm no food or coffee experts by any means. Most of writings involved the description of the place and whether or not I enjoyed their food or drinks. Some common things about the places I've shared are: first, they are usually nicely designed or cozy spaces and/or, second, they have great selections of tea, non-coffee drinks, or hot chocolate. So with that said, to make it a little bit interesting, from now on I think I'll try to share a little story about interesting things I saw or experienced during my visit or maybe just something random about me to mix it up a little ;)

I've never been a big on breakfast kinda person. I don't really get hungry when I wake up, not 'til a couple of hours later anyway, so breakfast is not something that is mandatory for me. But when I'm in the mood for breakfast, there are certain things that I enjoyed the most during these morning meals. A cup of rich but not-too-sweet hot chocolate with a perfectly baked pain au chocolat on a warm spring morning is one of them. And Sightglass Coffee actually serves that combo. I had a really pleasant morning hanging out with my mom at this place, eating pastries, people watching, and enjoying the warm sunlight that came through the window next to where we're sitting. If their famous coffee selections doesn't really convince you to check this place out, maybe their beautiful floor tiles will ;) 

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5Extracts

It's been a while since my last post. The end of 2015 and the first couple of weeks of 2016 were hectic. With family matters to attend to and traveling for winter break, I had to put a pause to update this blog. Now that I'm back, I'm slowly starting to catch up on back logged pictures and actually have time to edit again. So expect more posts coming your way soon :) 

For my first post in 2016, visited 5Extracts (파이브익스트랙츠) in Hongdae (홍대) with Soo Zee for an impromptu coffee session. Have been hearing about how good the coffee selection is at this place, but never actually been here before, since I don't drink coffee and all. But since Soo Zee suggested the place, we went. The place is actually pretty cozy. Not too big, not too small, and it was pretty quite, which is kinda nice so you don't have to scream at your friends when you talk them. But then again, I came on a weekday night, so things might be different on weekends. Anyways, definitely go try this place out if you want a good cup of coffee around Hongdae.

ps: Hope everybody is having a great first month of the year! Can't believe January is almost over. 

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Ikovox Coffee

A strong smell of coffee immediately greeted me as soon as I stepped into this place. I guess it's a good thing since it is a coffee shop after all. Went to Ikovox Coffee (이코복스) in Itaewon (이태원) by the recommendation of Soozee, who said they have good coffee and good vibes here, which were true. The space is small, a little dark with hints of afternoon light coming through the windows here and there. Two gentlemen talking in the middle of the room, another gentleman was sitting on the counter waiting for his order, and the one that we sat next to was working on his laptop. I think this is a good place to chill, catch up with friends, or simply to read a book. Although when we were about to leave, the place suddenly got really busy, people were waiting for tables and looking for empty chairs. I think it's a weekend thing.

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