Sometimes you stumble on the best places by happenstance, and that is exactly what happened recently during a day-date with my husband in Seoul. Usually I have a very specific itinerary planned out, but on this day, I picked two places on the train into Seoul and that was it. I was just happy to spend the day with my husband, without our kids, for the first time in months. I am a huge advocate for carving out alone time with your spouse but must confess that with two children, ages two years and under, living in Korea without our built-in family babysitters around, that has been much harder to do.

Our first stop was Sugoksa Temple (the golden temple in Seoul), and the second was a cafe I had found during my typical rabbit hole of googling and researching, Cafe Nap Roasters. As we were pulling up to the area where Cafe Nap Roasters is located, we noticed the vicinity was full of quaint alleyways with a variety of restaurants, including a French restaurant we want to go back and try.

We cooled down with coffee in Cafe Nap Roasters. The cafe/roastery actually has its origins in Pyeongtaek, near Osan Air Base, which still serves as their headquarters. My husband ordered the canned cold brew and I saw him crack it open. I turned around to take some photos of the cafe and when I turned back to him, the can was empty. He said it was by far, the best cold brew he has had in a long time, and that man can consume some cold brew!

In addition to having great coffee, the cafe itself in Yeonnam is a funky little space. When you enter the bright white walled shop, you will immediately notice the sloped brick floor in the center of the shop which is the cafe’s focal point and draw for visitors like myself. After chatting with the barista for a bit with the aid of a lovely lady from California sitting in the cafe who served as our translator, we headed off to find something to eat for lunch.

One place in particular that had caught our eyes on the drive in was Thanks, Oat. The small, rustic designed restaurant served the best acai bowls and sandwiches we have eaten since living in Korea. That seemed to be the theme of the day for our coffee and food. Maybe we were just really hot and hungry, but we both still agreed a week later, they were the best. My husband initially ordered one acai bowl for himself and we had each ordered the same sandwich, cranberry chicken salad stuffed with sprouts and balsamic goodness.

When the exquisite acai bowl arrived, I immediately “sampled” it. Two bites turned into four, and then five, at which point my husband stood up and ordered another. It was for the best since we made quick work of our sandwiches and the bowls. We left feeling completely satiated and the lingering memory of those acai bowls and sandwiches is still with us. Someone please open a location near base!

If you find yourself in Seoul and looking for a great neighborhood to explore, give Cafe Nap Roasters or Thanks, Oat a visit and enjoy all the area has to offer. Your taste buds will thank you.

Cafe Nap Roasters (Yeonnam):

453-32 마포구 서울특별시 KR

9 AM-17:00 Monday-Friday

9 AM-20:00 Saturday & Sunday

Thanks, Oat (Yeonnam):

113 375 Mapo-gu, Seoul

10 AM-19:00 seven days a week

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