I did not expect Seoul to be home to so many themed cafes with several situated in the heart of Myeongdong beauty shopping street alone, a stone’s throw away from the Myeongdong subway station. For animal lovers, you would be pleased to know that they have cat, dog cafes and even one housing more exotic animals such as raccoons and farm animals such as sheep. There are also character theme cafes such as the Hello Kitty café.
The first café I went to was one, which I happened to chance upon online while in the vicinity was the Blind Alley cafe. Home to three mischievous raccoons, you can also find a variety of drinks and desserts such as the famous Korean Bingsu which is essentially something similar to Singapore’s Ice Kachang.
The raccoons reside in a room separate from the café so you need not worry about someone snatching your snacks as you chill and relax. You can purchase food to feed the raccoons for 5000 won.
If raccoons are not your cup of tea, you could also hang out with the resident pet, Cookie, a cuddly Corgi.
Blind Alley café is located around an 8 to 10 minutes walk from the Sookmyung Women’s University station, exit 9 or 10. Turn right after Starbucks; walk through the covered alley, cross the road till you reach Cheongparo 47-gil.
The second café which we visited was the Hello Kitty café because who can resist a Sanrio-themed café. Decorated in all things pink, sweet and Hello Kitty, this café is a visual treat for the Hello Kitty fan.
Each patron is allowed to purchase only one beverage; I am guessing that they do not wish for people to hog the seats. We were there on a weekday afternoon and so it was quite empty.
The café serves cakes, desserts and drinks featuring the famous mouth-less kitty. There is also a section in the café which features Hello Kitty merchandises that you can purchase.
The next café, which we hopped over to was the dog café that was, located just a few minutes walk away from the Hello Kitty café.
Home to more than twenty over dogs, this is the café for dog lovers. I must say that we had the most fun over here, just simply mingling and petting with the dogs.
Entry fee is 9000 won per adult and 8000 won per child; it comes with a free drink too. Perhaps summer would be a better time to visit this café because when we were there in November, it was close to 1-2 degrees. And so the smaller dogs were feeling pretty chilly and spent most of the time hurdling around the heater.
The last café, which we visited, was the Teenie Weenie café. Teenie Weenie is a bear-theme clothing brand for adults and children. At the top floor of the Teenie Weenie boutique is the café.
It is a cosy café that provides an escape from the busy Myeongdong shopping street that serves bear-theme drinks, desserts and snacks.
One can also find Teenie Weenie cafe merchandise for sale there.
The Teenie Weenie café was also just a few minutes walk away from the dog café. With so many theme cafes within walking distance of each other in Myeongdong shopping street, you know you are definitely in for a treat while café-hopping.