[Bookstores in Ganghwa Island] Ladle and Paddle & Book Seejum

For book-lovers, there are a few bookstores that you must visit when you come to Ganghwa Island. In this post, we are going to introduce two bookstores to you. You can even do a book stay and spend a night here, so if you are planning for a trip to Ganghwa, do check this out!

What is book stay?

Book stay is a place for travelers who wish to spend a night with the books. In this place where it offers accommodation, additional facilities for reading are provided, and books on the bookshelves can be read for free or with a fee.

#1 Ladle and Paddle Bookstore (책방 국자와주걱)

Walk along the winding road in the village and you will come to Ladle and Paddle Bookstore. It doesn't look like a bookstore as the sign board hangs on the tilted roof.

If you wish to experience the quiet atmosphere in this village as well, this will be a must-visit place for you.

Upon entering the place, you will see a small garden. A cat saw me as I was walking in, but it just passed by without bothering me as though it is already used to seeing new customers.

After removing your shoes, as you enter the bookstore, you will feel welcome with this unique atmosphere in the bookstore. There are many books placed on the tables and bookshelves. If you are a book lover, you might scream for joy when you see this.

The picture of a guy holding a paddle is the character of the owner of Ladle and Paddle Bookstore in Ganghwa Island. The name of the bookstore gives a meaning of "sharing books and heart", just like how we use ladle and paddle for giving out food for sharing. Perhaps it is because of the name of the bookstore, this place gives a sense of warmth,

There are so many books on the wall and floor. The ceiling showing the rafters and the small door with changhoji (Traditional Korean paper for window and door) make the bookstore quiet and peaceful.

You can even find a small space in between the books, sit down and do some reading.

If you wish to stay overnight at Ladle and Paddle Bookstore, you must make prior reservation. There will only be 1 team in a day! It sounds so awesome as you can read the books until late at night. In addition, the owner will prepare breakfast for the guest in the morning.

[Information about Ladle and Paddle Bookstore]

1. How to get there: AREX Geomam Station, Take Bus #700-1, ▶ Get off at Geonil Apartment, Take Bus #61, #44 or #43 ▶ Get off at Guha 2-ri Village Hall, walk 8 mins

2. Address: 46-27, Ganghwanam-ro 428 beon-gil, Yangdo-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Contact: +82-10-2598-3947 (Inquiry for Book Stay)

4. Operating hours: 10:00 - 22:00 daily

#2 Book Seejum (책방 시점)

Book Seejum is an interesting bookstore in a white building, for you to relax while reading books. It is located close to Jeondeungsa Temple and Manisan Mountain, so it is a good attraction to visit while you are on your Ganghwa Island trip.

On the first floor, there is a table at the center that has seats for up to 12 people. You can even book this space in advance, to be used as reading group gathering or workshop.

One of the best seat is probably the window seat where the sun shinning through the window. You can also enjoy the view of the grass and blue sky from this seat. 

There are many kinds of books available here - novels, essays, collection of poems, fairy tale storybooks for children and many more.

In addition, they also provide book stay for people who want to enjoy some time with reading. There are three types of guest rooms - room with beds, family room and attic room.

There is no difference in terms of room rates for Winter/Summer season. However, they do charge extra fee for heater (during winter), and air-cond (during summer). 

For reservation -> https://blog.naver.com/seejum/221517110296 or call +82-10-9931-0301

Due to COVID-19 situation, you need to make reservation if you wish to visit the bookstore.

By making reservation, you may use the bookstore freely with lesser crowd. It is available for a maximum of five people in one hour.

For bookstore visit -> https://booking.naver.com/booking/10/bizes/342583/items/3390785

If you would like to go on a trip for relaxation, check out these bookstores in Ganghwa Island! Have some me-time reading books and enjoy a special trip in Ganghwa Island.

[Information about Book Seejum]

1. How to get there: At AREX Geomam Station, Take Bus #700-1 ▶ Get off at Hanjeon Onsul Chuljangso (KEPCO Onsu Office), walk 5 mins

2. Address: 101-16, Manisan-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Operating Hours: Tues - Fri 11:00 - 19:00 / Sat 10:30 - 20:00 / Sun 11:00 - 18:30 / Closed on Mondays

*Bookstay check-in 13:00 / check-out 11:00.

4. Contact number: +82-10-9931-0301 (bookstay reservation and inquiry)

5. Fee:  Visit Bookstore - KRW10,000 / Reading Group Gathering KRW 20,000 per hours / Guest room from KRW35,000 ~ KRW70,000 (excluding tax, weekend charges and continuous stay agreement)

*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!

[Special Tour in Korea] Ganghwa Spanish Village

Last year, there was a programme called "Boarding House in Spain" aired on tvN. After the programme was aired, Spain became the first country that they want to visit when you ask someone in Korea. But traveling overseas feels like a dream these days due to COVID-19. Therefore, we are going to introduce Ganghwa Spanish Village in Korea to you in this post.

Spanish Village? There is such as place in Korea? Wow, many people were surprised.

El Bosque, a Spanish village in Ganghwa Island, is a complex cultural space consists of pension, cafes, Spanish restaurants, galleries, caravans and beach.

This place has many special decoration that will make you feel as if you are on a trip to Spain. It is a small Spanish village but has many things to see and do.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Spain is probably Don Quixote and Sancho. Here in Spanish Village, you will find the statue of Don Quixote and Sancho.

The Spanish restaurant El Bosque is filled with exotic items that makes you feel like you're really traveling in overseas as you can see armor soldiers and sophisticated interiors such as paintings showing scenes from foreign villages hanging on the wall.

When you order your meal, they will serve a soft bread and jam first. 

When you come to Spanish village, we recommend you to try the Jamon Cream Penne Pasta that comes with traditional Spanish raw ham. It's a good combination of jamon ham and cream sauce.

If you like tomato sauce or spicy pasta, we recommend Amatriciana Pasta that comes with bacon and tomato sauce. It has a slightly spicy taste and doesn't have greasy feeling. You can also order the Jamon Thin Crust Pizza which is good to eat it together. On top of the thin crust pizza, you will find a thin sliced marinated jamon (ham) that mix with cheese and fresh vegetables.

Besides the restaurant, each floor has bar and cafe.

One of the things that make Ganghwa Spanish Village special is that you can visit a gallery here. There is exhibition organized by various artists, and you can enjoy their works for free.

On the roof of the building, there is a space for you to relax and enjoy the scenery of Ganghwa Island. This could be a good place for you to take some pictures too.

Along the beach, you can enjoy both forest and the sea. This could be a perfect place for those who want to take some time off their busy schedule and to enjoy the nature.

Come and visit Ganghwa Spanish Village and enjoy a private resting place near the blue sea of Ganghwa Island.

[Information about Ganghwa Spanish Village]

1. Getting here :At AREX Geomam Station, Take bus #700-1 ▶Get off at Hwado Terminal, and transfer to bus #4 ▶ Get off at Janggotdondae, walk 1 min

2. Address : 2677-21, Haeannam-ro, Hwado-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Opening hours : Mon ~ Sat 09:30 – 21:00, Restaurant 10:00 – 21:00 daily (Last order 20:00)

4. Contact number : 032-937-0209

5. Price : Jamon thin crust pizza KRW 19,000, Amatriciana Pasta KRW 17,000, Jamon cream penne KRW 20,000

*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!

[Ganghwado Island] Dore Dore, Mahogany Cafe, Maehwa Mareum Cafe

Dore Dore, Mahogany Cafe

The garden in front of the cafe is filled with pure white daisy. Mahogany Cafe, filled with the waves of white flowers, is a photo spot in Ganghwado Island, and has become a popular place here too.

The official name of this "Pure Flower" is called Shasta Daisy. It is also called Shasta Chrysanthemum, which is a perennial plant of the chrysanthemum family, peaks in the month of June and July. Daisy means peace, rest, pureness and innocence in the language of flowers, which embodies loveliness that goes well with the flower.

Mahogany Cafe in Ganghwado Island is operated as a no-kids zone. Even though it is a no-kids zone, it is so popular and crowded, and is hard to find empty seats on both weekdays and weekends. Same goes to Dore Dore that is located right next to Mahogany Cafe. Dore Dore has a huge outdoor terrace so you can enjoy some drinks there, and move on the enjoy the flowers in front of Mahogany Cafe.

Dore Dore cakes

Dore Dore cafe is famous for its colorful cakes, and the Ganghwa-do branch is the main brand of Dore Dore. You must be wondering these colourful cakes aren't good for health, right? Don't worry because the cakes are made from natural ingredients.

When we visited this cafe, the rainbow cake, which is the signature menu of Dore Dore, was sold out and only a few types of cakes were left. Because this is the period where Daisy flower is full bloom, you may not have the chance to taste the cake that you want if you come late, even on weekdays.

Besides cakes, there are also other bakery such as chocolate croissants, madeleines and pound cakes.

We have chosen a seat at the outdoor terrace. Dore Dore cakes look very pretty as well as taste delicious. The pig cake has a combination of the sour taste of strawberry and sweetness of chocolate, while the lemon cake is simply refreshing.

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On a dazzlingly beautiful summer day, it feels good to enjoy the freshness of nature and taste delicious dessert. Come and fell in love with the beauty of Daisy!

[Information about Dore Dore]

1. Getting Here : AREX Geomam Station, take Bus #700-1 ▶ Get off at Hwado Terminal, transfer to Bus #4 ▶ Get off at Gangchon bus stop, walk 7 mins

2. Address : 355-10 Heungwang-ri, Hwado-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Contact number : +82-032-937-9002

4. Opening hours : 10:30 – 21:00 daily

5. Price : Americano KRW 6,000, Chocolate KRW 7,500, Red Ade KRW 7,500, Pig Cake KRW 8,500, Lemon cream cake KRW 9,000

Maehwa Mareum Cafe

Maehwa Mareum Cafe (카페 매화마름) is decorated with colorful flowers, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature. Does it feel like Hansel and Gretel cookie house that is decorated with flowers? The small but nicely-decorated garden is definitely a good photo zone for you to take pictures.

It is not easy to get out of the plum garden that is full of flowers. You can feel relaxed by enjoying the fragrance of flowers and trees.

The lotus leaves and water lilies in the small pond give you a calm feeling. The props that are places at various places blend naturally with the garden.

Maehwa Mareum Cafe is one of the famous Ganghwado Island dessert cafes that is popular for its cakes and bakeries. The bakeries are freshly made with organic flour and whipped cream every day. Be sure to visit this cafe early to grab the cakes and bakeries that you want to try.

There is a showcase of bottled homemade drinks. Milk tea, Dutch coffee, and Matcha latte are eye-catching with their vivid colors.

The atmosphere in the cafe is good, so you can enjoy your drinks regardless where you sit. The tables are all wooden and comfortable. In addition, you can also purchase the ceramics and coffee props that are displayed at the side.

Since this is a cafe with pretty flowers, we would recommend you to choose the seat at outdoor terrace. The sun shade is installed and the atmosphere is great. You can smell the freshness of grass.

We visited this cafe in the late afternoon, and the sky was turning red and feels warm. We have picked a few types of dessert.

The chocolate madeleine and lemon citron that look so pretty to be eaten. It has a chewy texture but the bread is moist. It goes well with any drink, such as coffee or sweet homemade ade.

If you want to have some refreshing drinks, it is recommended to choose Maehwa Mareum Passionfruit Ade.

The strawberry cake has layers of fresh strawberries in sweet whipped cream that were made from real strawberries without syrup. The strawberries are really fresh, just take a bite and the cake will melt in your mouth.

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When you feel stress and tired of routine life, it is recommended to take a day trip to Ganghwado Island to enjoy some dessert and beautiful flower scenery to regain energy.

We hope to see you in Ganghwado Island!

[Information about Maehwa Mareum Cafe]

1. Getting Here : AREX Geomam Station, Take Bus #700-1  ▶ Get off at Bamnamugol bus stop, walk 12 mins.

2. Address : 28 Gilsang-ro 25beon-gil, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

3. Contact number : +82-70-4193-4889

4. Opening hours : 평일 10:00-19:00, 주말 10:00-22:00

5. Price : Strawberry Juice KRW 7,000, Lemon Citron KRW 4,000, Passionfruit Ade KRW 7,000, Strawberry Cake KRW 6,500, Madeleine cake KRW 2,800




*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!