Skip to main content

Featured post

Seoul Cafe Guide: Villa Coffee Bar, a Rooftop Spot with Stunning City Views

I’ve been posting a lot about Haebangchon lately, and as I mentioned in another article, one of the area’s biggest charms is its high elevation, which offers great views of Seoul. So today, I’d like to introduce a café where you can enjoy that beautiful cityscape. I visited this café in the spring with a friend and was able to enjoy the fresh, green scenery under clear skies. The café I visited is called Villa Coffee Bar. It’s a renovated old house turned into a cozy café. The space isn’t large, but its charm lies in its small, homey atmosphere paired with an open, panoramic view of Seoul. As soon as you walk in, the “ta-da” moment of the view catches your eyes immediately.  The music album covers displayed on the walls also add a hip vibe to the space. The Basque cheesecake is said to be the café’s signature menu item. What makes this place even better is that you can go up to the rooftop. The interior is stylish and pleasant, but the rooftop offers truly stunning views. From up t...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

Seoul Coffee Guide: LEESAR Coffee for Espresso Lovers

 I’m not really a hardcore coffee lover, but there’s this little coffee bar I keep going back to because it’s just that good. Funny thing is, I didn’t even know it existed in my neighborhood until a friend brought me here. It doesn’t even have a sign, and it’s tucked away in a tiny alley—but trust me, people still line up just to grab a cup.

This hidden gem is LEESAR Coffee Bar in Yaksu.


Now, don’t expect a big café with cozy seating. This is a true coffee bar—no chairs, no lounging around. You order your coffee, enjoy it quickly in a small cup, and move on. Standing and sipping coffee isn’t really a big thing in Korea, so for me, this felt like a unique experience. Most Korean cafés are spacious spots where you hang out for hours with friends, but Leesar is all about that short, sweet coffee break. And honestly, it’s perfect for people like me who sometimes just want a quick pick-me-up without the heaviness of a giant latte.


Of course, their most basic menu is the espresso. Just a heads up—they usually add sugar by default, so if you like it unsweetened, make sure to tell them.

caffe pieno

My personal favorite, though, is the Oneroso. It’s espresso with milk, creamy and slightly sweet—almost like having a little dessert in a cup. 

Oneroso


Another must-try is their affogato—that rich, bold coffee poured over vanilla ice cream. It’s heaven in a glass.

Affogato


caffe con panna

The original Leesar is in Yaksu, and it’s quite literally hidden. The sign isn’t obvious at all, but if you spot a crowd squeezed into a narrow alley, you’ve probably found it. It’s close to Yaksu Station, Exit 7.


📍 Address: 16-7 Dasan-ro 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Yaksu spot is the main store, but because it got so popular, Leesar has now opened branches in busier areas too. So even if you’re not around Yaksu, you can still find them in Myeongdong, Jongno, Euljiro, Seongsu and etc. Here are a few of the main locations in Seoul. Or just type ‘Leesar Coffee’ into Naver Map and you’ll find them easily.

  • Myeongdong: 58 Myeongdong 8-ga-gil, Jung-gu, 1F
  • Jongno: 7 Jongno 5-gil, Jongno-gu, 1F
  • Euljiro: 28-24 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, 1F
  • Seongsu: 26 Seongsuil-ro 12-gil, Seongdong-gu, #108

Leesar in Jongno

So next time you’re in Seoul—the coffee capital of the world—skip the giant cafés for once and try a real coffee bar experience at Leesar. You’ll love it!





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment