Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drinking & Nightlife
From quaintly rustic teahouses and own-roaster coffee houses
to craft beer pubs and classy cocktail bars, Seoul offers an un-
believable number of places to relax over a drink. No-frills hof
(pubs) are common, and don't miss that quintessential Seoul
nightlife experience: soju shots and snacks at a pojenmacha
(street tent bar).
Teahouses & Cafes
Korea's tea culture, which dates back centuries, can be appreciated in Seoul's many quaint
and charming teahouses. These places major on herbal and fruit teas, many of which have
medicinal properties, but it's also possible to sip quality green, black and other fermented
teas.
In recent decades, Koreans have taken to coffee in a big way. Properly brewed coffee is
abundantly available (though the quality varies greatly) at Western-style cafes, from for-
eign imports like Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Korean chains like Angel-in-us
Coffee and Caffe Bene. Far better brews are available from artisan roasters who treat their
globally sourced, sometimes fair-trade bean with reverence.
You'll quickly suss out that a quality cup of tea or coffee in Seoul is not cheap, and is of-
ten equivalent to what you can pay for a whole Korean meal. You're also paying for oc-
cupying the space, so don't feel bad about lingering all day over your drink. Many newer
breeds of cafes and teahouses encourage you to do this by creating interesting environ-
ments packed with books, magazines, plants, art - even tiny songbirds flying around or cats
to cuddle.
Hof & Bars
Drinking, and drinking heavily, is very much a part of Korean socialising, and an evening
out can quickly turn into a blur of bar-hopping. Many a big night out starts and finishes in a
hof
. Inspired by German beer halls, the term generally means any watering hole that serves
primarily draft Korean beer, with the requisite plate of fried chicken and other
anju
(snacks
