Cafe guide for Korea (Seoul, Suwon, Jeonju)
Jumping on the bandwagon for the viral white handwritten text, aesthetic doodle, hand-drawn annotation trend with ChatGPT.
📌 Nuldam Space – Gyeongbok Palace branch
Google Maps: 24 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
We first visited Gyeongbokgung Palace. Nearby, we came across Nuldam Space – Gyeongbok Palace branch, a peaceful vegan café with a unique concept. You can write a letter to your future self. The process involves a fee, and the letter is mailed to you one year later - so since we visited in 2025, the letter will be delivered in 2026. We can specify which date we wanted to receive the letter in 2026.
📌 Paletscent Café
Google Maps: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Suwon-si, Paldal-gu, Jeongjo-ro, 904-1 KR 2F
We headed from Seoul station to Suwon station. The train departed at 1:04 PM and arrived at 1:39 PM, with tickets costing ₩27,000 per person.
We headed to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo. It represents the pinnacle of Korean fortress architecture.
After exploring, we stopped by Paletscent Café, which overlooks the scenic Janganmun Gate. The atmosphere was peaceful, and the salted caramel drink stood out perfectly with just the right mix of saltiness and caffeine.
📌 Gyodong Tea Garden
Google Maps: 65-5 Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk State, South Korea
It was our first traditional tea experience, and the staff were incredibly friendly, guiding us through the tea-making process. We ordered tea for two and paired it with a delicious mugwort cake.
📌 다화원 Traditional Korean Tea House
Naver Map: 주소 전북 전주시 완산구 최명희길 13 다화원
The atmosphere was cosy and peaceful - an ideal spot for a quiet break. Our tea order came with a complimentary tea set. We ordered Citrus Tea and Plum Tea.
Visiting cafes in Korea offers more than just great drinks; it’s an immersive cultural experience that connects you with both history and modern lifestyle. For instance, Nuldam Space near Gyeongbokgung Palace combines a vegan cafe concept with a meaningful activity—writing a letter to your future self. This unique feature adds a personal touch to your visit that goes beyond typical cafe experiences. I found this especially memorable because writing a letter in such a serene environment invites reflection during a busy travel schedule. When traveling between Seoul and Suwon, taking a train trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress offers an excellent excuse to explore Paletscent Café. Situated to enjoy views of the historic Janganmun Gate, this café blends scenic heritage with relaxing refreshments. The salted caramel drink stood out for me due to its perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness—a relaxing reward after trekking around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jeonju’s traditional tea houses, like Gyodong Tea Garden and 다화원, offer a deep dive into Korea’s tea culture. The staff’s friendliness and the guidance through the tea-making process enrich the experience, making it educational as well as soothing. Pairing tea with traditional rice cakes, especially mugwort-flavored ones, offers a perfect harmony of tastes that reflect Korea’s culinary heritage. Spending a quiet moment in these cozy hanok-style interiors gave me a rare chance to slow down and savor Korea’s calm charm amid a busy touring schedule. My advice for fellow travelers is to plan visits to these cafes intentionally—they serve as both culinary delights and cultural gateways. Whether you're after innovative vegan concepts or time-honored tea rituals, these cafes around Seoul, Suwon, and Jeonju uniquely complement nearby historical sites. Taking the time to relax in these spaces adds a refreshing layer to any Korean itinerary. Plus, the combination of hand-drawn notes and nostalgic postcards at Nuldam Space offers creative inspiration for memorable souvenirs and personal moments to treasure long after your trip ends.
