[Recommended Cafes near Changdeokgung Palace] Anguk 153 & Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro

Changdeokgung Palace, a palace during Joseon Dynasty that is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The landscaping at the palace's secret garden (huwon)  has high historical value and is the place where you can feel the true beauty. It is the representative royal garden in Korea.

There are many cafes around this beautiful Changdeokgung Palace that keep the unique atmosphere. In this post, we will introduce two cafes to you - Anguk 153 and Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro.

#1 Anguk 153

Anguk 153 is a bakery cafe that represents Anguk Station. You can enjoy a variety of bread and beverages, and it is also one of the popular place in Seoul for bread lovers. 153 Anguk-dong is a very historical area. The building has been built for more than 100 years and it was the house where Lee Jun, a special envoy served as Hague Envoy under the mandate of Emperor Gojong in 1907.

When you enter this bakery shop, it feels like time has stopped as the bread smell stimulates your sense of smell. This shop is full of bread that will make your mouth water just by looking at it.

Anguk 153 is famous for its natural fruit yeast bread and milk bread, but you can also find other types of bread here.

On the first floor of the building, you will see the display of the bakery. When you go up to the second floor, you will see the order counter on the way up. It is spacious on the second floor, and it is filled with sunlight. The ceiling of the building is over 100 years old and cozy interior design will catch your attention. It offers a great atmosphere for those who want to read quietly or catch up with friends.

We ordered and tried the spinach potato bread and iced vanilla latte. Although we have only tried one type of bread, we could feel the true value of Anguk 153.

Spinach potato bread combines a salty and savory taste, and it was chewy. Besides that, the coffee also tastes good. If you want to enjoy some bread and coffee at a space that is historically meaningful, we would like to recommend Anguk 153 to you.

[Information about Anguk 153]

1. Getting There: At AREX Seoul Station, transfer to Subway Line 1 - At Jongno-3ga Station, transfer to Subway Line 3 - Get off at Anguk Station Exit 1, Walk 58m

2. Address: 51 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Opening Hours: 08:00 ~ 20:00 daily

4. Instagram: https://instagram.com/anguk_153

5. Contact Number: +82-2-733-1530

※The above information is subject to change.

#2 Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro

Rendejavous is a combination of the word rendezvous (which means meeting) and deja vu (which means precognition). It symbolizes a familiar place that seems like you have been before. Cafe Rendejavou at Daehakro is a cafe built with the concept of Jeju cave where you can feel the sensibility of Jeju Island in Seoul.

On the first floor of the cafe, there is an order counter and small tables. You can feel the sensibility of Jeju Island by looking at the basalt stone wall.

If you follow the large chandelier and go to the basement, you will see the spacious cafe area. Since it is not easy to go on a long trip, it is a good idea to visit a place like this that has nice atmosphere.

Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro uses darker lighting than regular cafes, so it creates a more quiet atmosphere. Perhaps it is because of that, it feels exceptionally quiet and calm inside the cafe. This is a cafe located in a city, with interior that can make you feel relax being in the nature.

There is a circle-shaped wall in the innermost part of the cafe that looks impressive. It is also a photo zone in this cafe where visitors take many photos. It boasts a unique atmosphere as though you are passing through a cave and going to another space.

You can try the Soda Blended and Jeju Green Tea Blended that seem to be symbolizing the blue sea of Jeju Island, and it feels like as though you have traveled to Jeju Island. The scones is crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside.

In your next visit to Seoul, why don't you come to Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro and be on a nature-friendly trip in the city?

[Information about Cafe Rendejavous Daehakro]

1. Getting There: At AREX Seoul Station, transfer to Subway Line 4 - Get off at  Hyehwa Station Exit 4, Walk 236m

2. Address: 18-5 Changgyeonggung-ro 34-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Opening Hours: 11:00 ~ 23:00 daily

4. Contact Number: +82-2-764-7779

※The above information is subject to change.

Take AREX train and visit dating spots in Seoul & Incheon

Let Spee and Nareu introduce dating spots in Seoul and Incheon by taking the AREX train.

Check it out now!

MOSAIC 

Depart from AREX Gongdeok Station

Transfer to Subway Line 5 ▶ Get off at Cheonggu Station Exit 1, walk 9 mins

Who likes to enjoy LP? This LP Shop has already become famous on social media.
You can look around, listen to music, and even drink coffee here.

Hanok Cafe - Gung

Depart from AREX Geomam Station

Get off at Exit 3 ▶ Take bus #800 ▶ Get off at Ganghwa Terminal, Take Bus #4 (Ganghwa) ▶ Get off at Nu-chon, walk 10 mins

Hanok Cafe, Gung that is located at a quiet place.
Recommended to Korean food lovers who like Korean traditional tea.
The view inside the cafe looks dreamy.

Nodeul Island

Depart from AREX Gimpo Airport Station or Magongnaru Station

Transfer to Subway Line 9 ▶ Get off at Nodeul Station Exit 2, Walk 13 mins

Sunset at Nodeul Island that is as beautiful as sunset in overseas.
After checking the sunset time, be there 1 hour earlier and take a seat.
You can watch the beautiful sky like watching a movie!

Badatgil Restaurant

Get off at AREX Unseo Station, Exit 1,

Take Bus #307 ▶ Get off at Sammok Quay, take the passenger ship to Jangbong Island ▶ Get off at Jangbong Quay. At the Jangbong Quay bus stop,
take  "Jangbong Nongo-chon" bus  ▶ Get off at Ongam Beach

Seafood kalguksu (noodle soup) that you will think of when the weather gets cold!
This is the representative specialty of Jangbong Island.
When you drink the seafood kalguksu soup boiled with clams, it will melt your frozen body.

Rose Stella Garden

: Depart from AREX Gyeyang Station

Take Bus #583 ▶ Get off at Danam-dong Sochon Village Entrance, Walk 2 mins

This is a real cafe? The interior looks like a scene from fairy tale.
Be prepared to take 500 photos in this garden!

[Popular Attraction in Autumn] Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul

Changgyeonggung Palace is the third palace built in the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. It was not built for the king to attend to political affairs, but to expand the living space. Therefore, there are not many pavilions and the scale of this place is small. Unlike other palaces in Joseon Dynasty which was built southward, Changgyeonggung Palace is unique as it is facing the east.

Let's enjoy Autumn in Changgyeonggung Palace that boasts a quiet and peaceful atmosphere in the city.

Popular Attraction in Autumn - Scenery in Changgyeonggung Palace, Seoul

Changgyeonggung Palace starts at Honghwamun Gate as the main gate. It's known as East Palace along with Changdeokgung Palace. It is facing Changdeokgung Palace on the west, and there is Jongmyo Shrine (where royal ancestors tablets are) on the south after passing through a small hill.

The ticketing office of Changgyeonggung Palace is next to Honghwamun Gate. Visitors under the age of 24 and over 65 are free of charge, while visitors between the age of 25 - 64 will be charged KRW 1,000 for the admission. Free guided tours are available, but it is currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Various palaces in Korea open at night in Autumn every year. In addition, Changgyeonggung Palace also has evening tour. We have visited Changgyeonggung Palace at night a few years ago, so we chose to take a walk during the day and will show you the palace in this post. It is interesting to feel the charm of the palace which has a completely different atmosphere in the day and night.

After passing through Myeongjeongmun Gate, you will come to Myeongjeongjeon Hall, which is the main hall of Changgyeonggung Palace and is the place where official events such as the king's accession ceremony, officer's congratulatory ceremony, past exams and royal banquets were held.

Myeongjeongjeon Hall retains the same appearance as the time when Prince Gwanghae rebuilt the palace after the Imjin War. Although the flat roof is small, it is said to be the oldest among the palaces.

There is Munjeongjeon Hall and Sungmundang Hall around Myeongjeongjeon Hall. Munjeongjeon Hall is the place where the king settled the special and unusual work while  Sungmundang Hall is the place where he read or discussed the history of the nation.

After passing through Hwanggyeongjeon, Yanghwadang, and Punggidae, take the stairs up and you will see a wonderful scenery. You can overlook the beautiful Changgyeonggung Palace that boasts an amazing view. Moreover, you can see N-Seoul Tower which symbolizes Seoul in the distance that is clearly visible. It makes you feel like the past and modern coexist.

It is the rain gauge that you will see on the way to Chundangji pond. This rain gauge is the first astronomical instrument created in the 16th year of King Sejong (1434), and is a type of sundial that was most widely used in Korea. The name "Yangbu-ilgu" was given because the clock board was concave like a iron pot that is looking up at the sky.

Changgyeonggung Palace is famous for its beauty when Autumn leaves changes the color. Although it has not completely changed into Autumn colors, we could see the Autumn light coming between the trees.

Chundangji is a small pond where people used to shoot arrows and look at the old Chundangdae. The current Chundangji Pond has been created as a traditional farming pond since 1983, after the Japanese colonial era. It is a rare pond in Seoul with dense forest surrounding it, making it a home for birds. You can also see natural monuments such as lovebirds and carp in Chundangji pond.

After Chundangji pond, you can see the greenhouse, one of the most symbolic buildings in Changgyeonggung Palace. Changgyeonggung Palace's greenhouse is Korea's first Western-style greenhouse that was built in 1909. The building was made of wood and steel, and the outer layer is covered with glass. Changgyeonggung Palace was damaged by the Japanese imperialism, but today it has historical value and become a modern cultural heritage. Currently, there are natural monuments, wildflowers and native plants in the greenhouse. Unfortunately, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is temporarily closed but we hope it reopens again very soon.

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After that, you will pass through the greenhouse and flower bed, to return to Honghwamun Gate. We fell in love with the quite, peaceful and attractive Changgyeonggung Palace. Most of them were flatland, so it is also suitable for the elderly to take a walk and enjoy nature.

Changgyeonggung Palace has a variety of things to see, such as architectural style during Joseon Dynasty in 17th century, and Myeongjeongjeon Hall, the oldest royal structure from Joseon Dynasty. We hope you enjoy your time here, like discovering a treasure on one page of the history book.

[Information about Changgyeonggung Palace]

1. Getting There: At AREX Seoul Station, Transfer to Subway Line 4 - Get off at Hoehyeon Station, Exit 4, walk 978m

2. Address: 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Operating Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9:00 ~ 21:00 (Last admission 20:00)

4. Contact Number: +82-2-762-4868

5. Website: http://cgg.cha.go.kr/

※ Information is subject to change

[Cafe Tour in Ganghwa Island] Hanok Cafe "Gung" and Cafe KKot Moi

If you want to have a short getaway from nearby Seoul, Ganghwa Island is an island that is perfect to go on a day trip. Ganghwa Island is the 5th largest island in Korea and is consists of 15 small islands. There are many attractions and beautiful sunset spots where you can visit, but there are also many cafes that boast quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

In this post, we will go on a cafe tour in Ganghwa Island and introduce 2 cafes that are nature-friendly to you. Please remember to wear a mask when you visit cafes in Korea.

[Cafe Tour in Ganghwa Island] 

#1 Hanok Cafe "Gung"

The first cafe in this post is Hanok Cafe "Gung" located in Naega-myeon, Ganghwa-gun. It is a hanok cafe that serves delicious homemade pumpkin sikhye (sweet Korean beverage) and jujube tea. This s a good place to visit with your family.

Hanok Cafe "Gung" has plenty of spaces indoor and outdoor so it is fun to just walk around. You can also enjoy flower views at the beautiful yard and garden. Moreover, you can also enjoy a great view of sea, island, mountain, altogether at once.

After you enter the cafe, you can enjoy the nature through the wide window. This cafe is strategically located at a place with good view thus it is a good cafe to visit if you want to spend a quiet and relaxing afternoon. The island located far away as you can see in the picture is Seokmodo Island.

The cafe interior has the characteristic of traditional Hanok. The sunlight shines in and you can enjoy a cup of warm tea here.

You can also find at one side of the cafe that sells various small items. You can take a look at these items from olden times such as scarf, rubber shoes, cups and hand fan.

Other than indoor seats, there is an outdoor terrace. This is indeed a good cafe where you can take a rest anywhere.

There are a variety of vegetable juice and ade available in Cafe Gung. We ordered the sweet and cooling Vanilla Latte and Omija Ade. They also serve homemade snacks and we like the savory taste. Here at the Cafe Gung in Ganghwa Island, you can enjoy delicious drinks with a quiet surrounding!

[Information about Hanok Cafe "Gung"]

1. Getting There: At AREX Geomam Station Exit 3, Take Bus #800  ▶ Get off at Ganghwa Terminal, Take Bus #4 (Ganghwa) ▶  Get off at Nu-chon stop, Walk 520m

2. Address: 21 Jungang-ro 1128beon-gil, Naega-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Opening Hours: 11:00 ~ 21:00 daily (Closed on Wednesdays)

4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanokgung/

5. Contact Number: 032-932-9321

※Information is subject to change depending on the cafe

#2 Cafe KKot Moi

The next cafe that we will introduce is the Cafe Kkot Moi that is located at the entrance of the Ganghwa Island. It is a garden cafe operated by a mother who likes wild flowers, a father who does landscaping, the eldest son makes coffee and the second son who designed the interior.

The garden in front of the building is very beautiful. Parasols and tables for outdoor seating are available everywhere, so it is a good place to enjoy the sunshine.

When you enter the cafe, you can feel the charm of Cafe Kkot Moi even more. It is not very large but the ceiling is designed to be high, making it feels like the cafe is wide. It is impressive as you could see blue sky at whichever seat.

On the second floor, it is designed in Hanok style and you could feel the atmosphere of a traditional tea house. If you wish to enjoy a relaxing time, it is recommended to sit on the upper floor.

Overall, the cafe interior and props are well arranged. The antique furniture that match the outdoor garden was beautiful and will make you wants to get one for yourself too.

Cafe Kkot Moi is operated by a professional barista, where you can try filtered coffee. We ordered the cool iced Americano and a rarely seen drink, Mugwort Latte. The coffee aftertaste is clean, and Mugwort Latte is also light and refreshing so it is suitable for people who doesn't like strong coffee. Their dessert are also very delicious, so feel free to try it when you visit this cafe.

After sitting in the indoor for some time, I transferred the drink to a take-out cup and came outside. I could feel the atmosphere of Ganghwa Island in this clean garden that is managed by owners with sincerity.

When COVID-19 situation gets better, why don't you escape from the busy city life for a day to enjoy nature and relax at Ganghwa Island?

[Information about Cafe KKot Moi]

1.Getting There: At AREX Geomam Station Exit 3, Take Bus #90 ▶Get off at Ganghwa Terminal, Take Bus #24 or #26 ▶  Get off at Dangsalli stop, walk 375m

2.Address: 584-4 Dangsan-ri, Songhae-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3.Opening Hours: 11:00 ~ 19:00 daily (Closed on Wednesdays)

4.Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/cafe_kkonmoe/

5.Contact number: 0507-1494-1265

※Information is subject to change depending on the cafe