Cafe 1938 Jeonju Hanok Village Review 2026: Historic Red-Brick Charm
Step into Cafe 1938, a charming 90-year-old red-brick cafe in Jeonju Hanok Village. Uncover its fascinating past as you sip coffee in this historic gem.
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Step into Cafe 1938, a charming 90-year-old red-brick cafe in Jeonju Hanok Village. Uncover its fascinating past as you sip coffee in this historic gem.
Walking through the alleyways of Jeonju Hanok Village,
I kept noticing a particular,
red brick house cafe.
I'd thought it was beautiful from the very beginning,
and finally had the chance to visit.
Why oh why did I wait so long to come?
Jeonju Hanok Village Cafe
Cafe 1938
📍 Cafe 1938
78 Eojin-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province, Cafe 1938
📍Location: 78 Eojin-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si
✅️Hours: 9:00-23:00
(Sundays 8:30-22:30)
✅️Parking: Dongmun Merchants Association Parking Lot
Spend over ~$14 and get 1 hour free parking.
*Please note that vehicles are restricted on public holidays,
so be sure to use a public parking lot.
This vintage cafe, with its striking red brick, was built in 1938.
It's a cafe in Jeonju Hanok Village,
and what really impressed me is that even though it's not a traditional hanok,
it's been beautifully preserved for almost 90 years! ‼️
Curious about what kind of building this once was, I looked it up and found that
it was built by a Japanese person in 1938,
making it the first apartment building in Jeonju Hanok Village.
After Korea's liberation,
it served as the Jeollabuk-do provincial office for the Korean Independence Party, led by Kim Gu.
(Pardon me, Mr. Kim Gu, tell me how you feel!)
I screamed Mr. Kim Gu's name so much during "Aliens" (the movie),
and to see the Independence Party's former office so beautifully preserved
and beloved as a Jeonju Hanok Village cafe,
what do you think of that?
Cafe 1938
Interior Vibe
A Space for a Day of Relaxing Rest
I visited early in the morning,
and the number of foreign visitors was overwhelmingly high.
How did they all know to come here?
It seems word of mouth has already spread among international travelers.
(Only I didn't know, only me...)
From the entrance, Cafe 1938 exudes a strong vintage and classic atmosphere.
With its ground floor, second floor, and even a conservatory & terrace,
the space is thoughtfully utilized.
I also appreciated the friendly notice about different air conditioning hours for various times of day –
energy savings indeed! ‼️ Five stars for that.
From the moment you step in, your eyes are drawn to the vintage objects everywhere,
you just can't help but look, they pull you in!
It felt like being invited to a European aristocrat's villa,
with so many antique furnishings.
It was fun to explore every single table, making sure not to miss any details.
The "planterior" (plant interior) wasn't overdone;
it blended perfectly with the walls, creating a sense of calm. 😇
But oh my goodness...
a truly beautiful puppy appeared!
Isn't he just a baby?! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
His name is Bori, Bori...
He's just pure Bori-ness!
I'm planning to visit heaven with Bori later. 🐶
This is the conservatory space next to the first floor.
Even though it's a conservatory, the AC was blasting!
That was another great point. 💓
Now, let's head up to the second floor!
You could really feel the dedication put into
Cafe 1938's ambiance,
from the furniture selection to the spatial arrangement.
It's a definite win for Jeonju's 'vibe cafe' scene!
With so many photo zones everywhere,
wouldn't it be an amazing spot for a date in Jeonju Hanok Village?
There's also the Hangukgwan restaurant nearby,
making it a perfect spot to visit after a meal.
You can easily complete a half-day Jeonju travel itinerary here! ☺️
Cafe 1938 Menu Highlights
Signature Cream Latte and Handokdang Milk Tea
French Toast, and even a seasonal Watermelon Juice
Their signature French toast, brunch items,
and a dessert lineup of financiers and tarts.
And for signature drinks, they offer
Bingsu, Cream Lattes, and Milk Tea.
Their handmade milk tea is brewed with a blend of
organic unrefined sugar and rare black teas. 🥛🫖
And get this – a portion of the sales from the Handokdang Milk Tea is
donated to descendants of independence activists!
It’s definitely worth ordering at least once.
After ordering, they hand you a pager,
and the staff seemed to have kindness ingrained in them –
their smiles alone brightened the mood.
You can also find the lineup of baked goods
like financiers and tarts further back.
Cafe 1938 Menu Review
Highly Recommended for Brunch in Jeonju Hanok Village! ‼️
It's great for just drinks, and there were quite a few takeout customers too.
But it seemed like international visitors
overwhelmingly opted for brunch!
There were two plates,
and they even brought one out to us...💓
The French toast was incredibly soft, with an outer crust
that almost resembled a Danish pastry.
With salt ice cream and syrup,
it was the perfect sweet and salty combination!
Truly moist...
The beautiful milk tea, served in a glass bottle,
should be poured neatly into a cup,
and for the cream latte, just drink it straight without stirring
to enjoy it at its best!
My hands were shaking a bit, so the cream got a little wobbly, but
the sweetness and the coffee were absolutely perfect.
Bonus Time!
Happy moments with Bori
Pure, unadulterated joy...
My dopamine levels were overflowing
during my time with Bori!
There's a resident dog named Bori at the cafe,
who already knows all the delivery folks and vendors.
Such a people-loving pup, his tail was wagging non-stop.
He loves seeking out people for cuddles and pets.
Seriously, he was SO incredibly cute! ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
*Cafe 1938 is a pet-friendly cafe.
Pet etiquette is just common sense,
you know the drill, right?
He just snuggles right up and gazes at you with those eyes,
how could anyone *not* fall in love?
I made sure to give him a proper scratch!
A historic red brick building nestled in Jeonju Hanok Village,
the delightful ambiance,
the delicious menu, and of course, the adorable resident dog.
It was truly a satisfying start to my day!🤎
I highly recommend you experience it too!
Bori, I'll definitely be back to see you again soon...
Cafe 1938 shines even brighter on a sunny day...☕️💓
Cafe 1938 offers 1 hour of free parking at the Dongmun Merchants Association parking lot for purchases over ~$14. On public holidays, vehicle access is restricted, so it is recommended to use public parking lots.
The Cafe 1938 building was built in 1938 by a Japanese individual as the first apartment building in Jeonju Hanok Village. After liberation, it served as the Jeonbuk Provincial Office of the Korean Independence Party, centered around Kim Gu, making it a historical space.
Handokdang Milk Tea is a handmade milk tea brewed with a blend of organic unrefined sugar and rare black tea. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this menu item is donated to the descendants of independence activists.
Yes, Cafe 1938 is a pet-friendly cafe. There is a dog named 'Bori' at the cafe, and we ask that you observe pet etiquette during your visit.
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