the land of cafes!
drinks are either too sweet or too bitter
NO IN BETWEEN
During my first week exploring Seoul's café scene, I quickly noticed a unique pattern: many drinks tended to swing from overly sweet to intensely bitter, often lacking a balanced middle ground. From sampling the iconic banana milk by the Han River to trying a Ube latte at The Coffee Bean, each experience was distinct but highlighted this sharp contrast in flavor profiles. One memorable visit was to ATWOSOME PLACE COFFEE & DESSERT, where the grapefruit ade refreshed me perfectly, offering a bright and tangy alternative to the usual sweetness overload. On the other hand, dessert spots like Dessert 39 offered bubble tea that felt underwhelming, possibly due to its uneven sweetness that didn’t quite meet my taste expectations. An Einspanner from The Coffee Lab left a strong impression—though I found it too intense to order again, it was a wonderful dive into a different style of coffee preparation, combining the espresso’s bitterness with creamy textures. This trip made me appreciate how Seoul’s café culture pushes boundaries with flavors, sometimes at the expense of balance, but always with creativity and boldness. For travelers and coffee lovers exploring Seoul solo or with friends, I recommend trying a range of places—from traditional cafés to popular modern spots—to truly experience this diverse beverage landscape. Also, embracing the extremes of taste can be part of the fun, helping you refine your palate and uncover your own favorite spots in the bustling land of cafés.
