A platform for sharing authentic travel experiences from around the world.
📍 Location: Nakwon Station Cafe, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley 📍
📍 Address: 33-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
🚂 The Perfect Spot for Coffee & Dessert Lovers in Seoul
You'll absolutely love Nakwon Station if:
✔︎ You're searching for a romantic, aesthetic date spot in Ikseon-dong.
✔︎ You want to experience a unique fusion of traditional hanok architecture and modern cafe culture.
✔︎ You want to snap that perfect, viral Instagram shot on a miniature railway track.
Usually, when my close friend and I meet up, we spend hours researching the best restaurants and cafes beforehand.
But lately, we've grown a bit tired of waiting in endless lines. Now, we prefer to wander around and step into whatever catches our eye.
That's exactly how we stumbled upon Nakwon Station during our stroll through Ikseon-dong.
We noticed a crowd of people taking photos on a rustic railroad track right in the middle of a historic alleyway.
Curiosity got the better of us, and when we stepped closer, we realized it was a cafe!
With so many stunning cafes in Ikseon-dong, it's always hard to choose. But since this place looked incredibly lively and we spotted an open table, we decided to take a break here.
The Verdict: A happy, spontaneous discovery!
The Interior Vibe
Because the shops in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village are packed tightly together, I expected the cafe to be tiny. However, the interior was surprisingly spacious!
They also have a lovely outdoor courtyard area with plenty of seating.
At first, we wanted to stay inside because of the summer heat, but the indoor seating layout felt a bit cramped. We decided to brave the outdoors instead.
It was a bit warm, but the natural sunlight made our desserts look absolutely gorgeous in photos, so no regrets!
The Menu at Nakwon Station
The drink menu had so many unique options that it took us a moment to decide. Ultimately, we went with their famous signatures: the Coal Coffee and the Peanut Latte.
For dessert, we couldn't resist the Cranberry Cheese Tart, which was beautifully spinning on their signature rotating conveyor belt!
Once you order, they'll hand you a buzzer. Just relax at your table until it rings, then head to the counter to pick up your treats.
I was so exhausted from the heat that I completely forgot to take individual close-ups of the drinks! 🥲
As you can probably guess, the striking, pitch-black drink is the Coal Coffee. The one topped with what looks like crushed Lotus Biscoff cookies is the Peanut Latte.
Each drink was priced at ~$5. While it's slightly on the pricier side, it's very reasonable when you consider the prime location in Ikseon-dong and the unique theme of the cafe. Best of all, both were perfectly sweet and hit the spot!
The Cranberry Cheese Tart was priced at ~$7. Again, a bit of a splurge, but the exquisite presentation and the rich, delicious flavor made it totally worth it.
I would definitely order this tart again on my next visit!
The Iconic Railway Photo Zone
As I mentioned earlier, we only discovered Nakwon Station because of the long line of people waiting to take photos on the tracks.
To be honest, it was a hot day, and the thought of standing in line just for a photo felt exhausting, so I initially planned to skip it entirely.
However, as my friend and I sat outside sipping our coffee and chatting, I noticed a pattern. People would arrive in large waves to take photos, but every now and then, there would be a quiet, empty window.
During one of those brief lulls, I ran over and quickly snapped a few photos without waiting in line at all!
So, here's my pro-tip: If you're visiting for coffee, don't waste your energy queuing up right away. Grab a seat, enjoy your drinks, and wait for the crowd to clear. You'll easily find a quiet moment to get your perfect shot!
✔︎ Final Thoughts on Nakwon Station Cafe, Ikseon-dong
The drinks and desserts exceeded my expectations, and the vintage train station aesthetic is absolutely gorgeous.
