Jeju Island occupies a novel place in Korean life. The route between Seoul and Jeju is commonly cited as one of many busiest flight paths on the planet, and it reveals—folks journey right here always, whether or not for a weekend escape, a household journey, or an extended keep. The island is shut sufficient to really feel acquainted, but distinct sufficient to supply a real reset from life on the peninsula.
In some ways, Jeju is the proper foil to Seoul. The place Seoul is quick, polished, and densely full of methods to spend money and time, Jeju feels uncooked and elemental. Life right here is formed by wind, ocean, stone, and distance. As a substitute of buying districts and high-rises, the island presents coastlines, volcanic hills, fields, and villages rooted in farming and fishing tradition. Time strikes otherwise, and days are likely to comply with mild, climate, and geography.
That slower rhythm has made Jeju more and more engaging to artists, creatives, and younger folks. There’s even a standard phrase—han dal salgi, or “residing for a month”—which displays how many individuals come to Jeju for an prolonged keep, usually working from a laptop computer and constructing each day routines round cafes, walks, and swims. Over time, this has helped foster a rising tradition of impartial initiatives and thoughtfully designed areas throughout the island.
Jeju doesn’t focus its power in a single neighborhood. Cafes are unfold all through the island, usually housed in renovated properties, warehouses, or standalone buildings overlooking the ocean. Jeju Metropolis and Seogwipo function the island’s two principal city facilities, providing extra nightlife and dense eating scenes, whereas among the most memorable espresso experiences are discovered far outdoors the cities, found alongside coastal roads or in quieter inland areas.
Thankfully for espresso lovers, Jeju has turn into a remarkably sturdy vacation spot in its personal proper. Regardless of the place you end up on the island, wonderful espresso isn’t far-off. With this information, my hope is to supply a large sufficient vary of cafes that wherever Jeju takes you, an important cup is shut at hand.
Kiekee Espresso Stand
Kiekee Espresso Stand is a superb neighborhood cease in the event you’re staying close to Jeju Metropolis. It’s a small, welcoming house with a very distinctive two-tiered structure. You step as much as sit together with your espresso and find yourself barely overlooking the bar and retail space beneath, which makes every thing really feel shut and related. It’s an intimate setup in one of the best ways, the place you’re at all times conscious of what’s taking place behind the bar.
When the climate’s good, the entrance glass window opens all the best way, and the cafe spills out into the neighborhood. On good days, you’ll usually see as many individuals hanging out outdoors as inside, espresso in hand, speaking or simply taking a break. Kiekee is a well-liked post-run or post-ride cease, particularly for runners and cyclists coming by means of after exercises or run membership, and that offers the place a gentle, native power.
Kiekee roasts all of their espresso themselves at their Roasting Room, which is nearer to the town heart and price visiting in case you have time. They do a very good job with their blends, and their single-origin coffees are at all times effectively executed. One factor I respect is that they provide a single-origin batch brew, which is ideal if you’d like an important filter espresso with out ready for a pour-over. Whether or not you’re within the temper for one thing candy and milky or a hand drip, you may normally discover precisely what you’re on the lookout for right here.
In addition they have a stable number of desserts, together with a cinnamon roll that pairs completely with nearly any of their drinks.
Espresso Nap Roasters
Playing cards on the desk: Espresso Nap Roasters holds a particular place in my coronary heart. Their Seoul location is about 500 meters from my home, so I find yourself there usually. However their Jeju spot is one thing else totally—it’s truly much more gorgeous and completely price a go to in the event you’re close by.
The cafe sits simply off the principle freeway heading west from Jeju Metropolis towards Hyeopjae Seaside, one of many island’s hottest coastal spots. You’re so near the ocean which you could odor and really feel the ocean spray as you stroll in. The constructing itself is a beautiful previous Korean-style home, partially reconstructed into an ideal hybrid of contemporary concrete Seoul aesthetics and conventional allure. Strolling by means of the principle door, you instantly hit the bar and retail/pastry counter, then a beautiful out of doors hall connects you to a bigger indoor seating space. Inventive particulars are sprinkled all through the house, they usually even put meals out for neighborhood cats to cease by.
Espresso Nap is as well-known for his or her roasting as their design. They focus on candy, medium-roast coffees and persistently execute their blends higher than most. In addition they supply quite a lot of European- and Asian-inspired pastries—my private favourite is the Hong Kong-style egg tart. Whereas every thing is stable, I’m keen on their pour-overs and flat whites, which I feel are among the finest in Korea. When you drink decaf, their providing can be considered one of my favorites on the peninsula.
This can be a cafe folks will take images at, no query—however there’s very a lot substance behind the model. Each ingredient, from the view to the espresso, feels considerate, and it’s the type of place you may linger in, whether or not you’re taking within the sea, sipping slowly, or simply having fun with the house itself.
By Mot
By Mot is a bit off the overwhelmed path, nevertheless it’s precisely the type of cafe that makes the drive worthwhile. Situated proper off the freeway subsequent to Geum Oreum, a big volcanic cone, it sits removed from any residential space, surrounded as an alternative by grassy plains. The entire property looks like an property, with a car parking zone and a stone walkway main as much as a multi-tiered concrete-and-glass constructing. It’s fashionable and putting, with tall home windows that allow you to sit and take within the vast open panorama.
Inside, the espresso is simply as spectacular because the structure. By Mot presents a big selection of hand-drip choices, a lot of which might be thought-about luxurious coffees—upwards of $10 a cup—however that stage of care is more and more frequent in Korea’s rising specialty scene. Throughout my final go to, I attempted their Ethiopian tasting flight, that includes three totally different fermentation kinds. Every cup was distinct and scrumptious, and I actually couldn’t decide a favourite.
The cafe’s setup is exclusive: the espresso bar and kitchen sit individually from the hand-drip station. A Mahlkönig EK43 holds down the house, flanked by a number of V60 setups so baristas can brew as much as three coffees directly. Glassware is fastidiously chosen for every brew technique, and every thing is executed with meticulous consideration.
By Mot has additionally began roasting in a close-by house, in partnership with Espresso Collage close to the airport. Many of the espresso served is their very own, however in addition they function world-renowned roasters like La Cabra, Datura (Paris), Ignis, Filter Provide (Japan), and SEY (Brooklyn). They spherical out the menu with milk drinks, pastries, and tea, so there’s one thing for everybody—even in the event you’re not a espresso aficionado.
It’s the type of cafe you propose a visit round. The mixture of location, design, and distinctive espresso makes it effectively price going out of your method.
Little Waves Metropolis Roasters
Little Waves Metropolis Roasters is the extra city of the 2 Little Waves cafes (the opposite one, proper by Hyeopjae Seaside, is completely price a go to too). I selected to spotlight the Jeju Metropolis location as a result of, in my view, it serves the perfect cup of espresso within the metropolis—and let’s be trustworthy, most guests will spend at the very least just a few hours in Jeju Metropolis throughout their journey.
The inside is beautiful and unmistakably Japanese-influenced in each design and feeling. Flooring-to-ceiling darkish wooden, heat lighting, and a historic power make it simple to neglect every thing else. There’s a method the house facilities you, quietly forcing you to be current. I additionally love that the workers put on uniforms—a small element, however one which alerts professionalism and a deep respect for craft. These are seasoned baristas, and it reveals.
Espresso-wise, they run a Synesso MVP Hydra for espresso and Origami drippers for pour-overs. Their specialty drinks are simply as considerate: the Metropolis Latte is an everyday latte with a punchier espresso taste, and their strawberry matcha latte, made with native Jeju matcha, is actually the perfect I’ve had in Korea. The filter menu normally options 4 single-origin choices from totally different international locations and processes, they usually even serve single-origin espresso—my cup on my most up-to-date go to was significantly excellent; vivid and floral and delicate.
Pastries listed here are price slowing down for and making your order a “for right here” as an alternative of a “take away.” Macarons, butter scones with raspberry jam, and brownies made with Valrhona chocolate all pair fantastically with the espresso.
General, Little Waves was a spotlight for me: an area that mixes impeccable espresso, considerate design, and a way of calm that makes it simple to settle in for some time.
Fritz Espresso
On the far japanese fringe of Jeju sits Seongsan Ilchulbong—Dawn Peak—a UNESCO World Heritage web site and some of the well-known pure landmarks in Korea. It’s a large volcanic cone rising straight out of the ocean, dramatic sufficient that it nearly doesn’t look actual. There’s a paid path to hike to the highest, and it’s completely price it. My excellent order of operations: espresso and pastries at Fritz first, then tackle the climb!
Fritz Espresso’s Seongsan location is inside strolling distance of the height, and for me, it’s some of the stunning cafes in Korea. The property is expansive, with what looks like countless seating and an equally spectacular unfold of pastries and drinks. Fritz has lengthy been a heavyweight in Korean specialty espresso, and in recent times they’ve earned international recognition. Their roasting and sourcing are meticulous, however what actually units them aside is the cohesive model id; every thing feels intentional. This location, specifically, looks like a celebration of every thing they’ve constructed over the previous few a long time.
As for the espresso, you’ll discover the complete Fritz lineup right here. Espresso drinks include extra customization than most cafes supply—alternative of espresso, milk choices, sweetness ranges, and totally different flavors—and their pour-over menu rotates continuously, showcasing their creativity with single origins.
There are additionally just a few drinks distinctive to this location. The Chai Matcha Latte may sound busy on paper, nevertheless it’s genuinely particular. And the Fritz Ale—a candy, glowing citrus drink with wintery spice—is a must-order in my e-book.
The retail wall and bakery part are simply as spectacular. The setup follows the basic Korean bakery format: seize a tray, select what you want, and convey it to the counter. Their model leans Korean-French, and every thing I’ve tried has been wonderful: particularly the morning bun and their galette des rois.
To me, this cafe looks like a marker of how far specialty espresso on Jeju Island has come. With simple parking on the property and quite a bit to do within the space, it might be price crafting just a few hours of your time across the cafe!
Ohsayo Espresso
Ohsayo is a small however actually particular espresso outpost in Seogwipo, the one actual metropolis outdoors of Jeju Metropolis, down on the southernmost a part of the island. When you’re visiting Jeju, there’s a powerful likelihood you’ll spend a while in or round Seogwipo—and in the event you do, I’d completely suggest stopping right here.
It’s tucked right into a residential neighborhood and doesn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of. The menu is straightforward, nearly stripped again, which to me normally alerts confidence. Exterior of their pour-overs, they’re particularly identified for his or her espresso. They take a much less conventional method than most Korean cafes, enjoying with decrease brew pressures and customized profiles on their First rate DE-1. It feels fashionable and intentional with out being flashy—simply considerate espresso, dialed in fastidiously for individuals who actually care about the way it tastes.
What caught with me most, although, wasn’t even the espresso. It was the hospitality. I ended up spending period of time speaking with the proprietor, and it was a kind of conversations that reminds you why small cafes matter. He clearly takes satisfaction in what he’s constructed, however there’s no ego there — simply real care. The entire expertise felt private in a method that stays with you.
Holden Jannusch is a contract journalist primarily based in Seoul. Learn extra Holden Jannusch for Sprudge.
