Watching ‘My Dear Youth- Coffee Prince’ on Viu brought back many happy memories. The drama was thoroughly enjoyable, but the icing was visiting the cafes featured in the drama with my friends.
‘Coffee Prince Shop No 1’ aired in 2007. I was in Korea that year with some friends to catch the final filming of Bae Yong Joon’s ‘The Legend’ and of course we made time to visit the wildly popular café.
The original filming site was an actual café but it was rather run down and it was under renovation when we visited it. MBC realising the potential benefit of letting fans indulge in drama reminiscing for perpetuity , allowed the concept to be franchise, which was run by the Tiramisu. It was situated really near the original café (just next to the Hello Kitty café).
The cafe was situated on the second floor and offers a good ‘watch-the-world-go-by’ view if you sat next to the windows.
Almost everything was what we remembered in the drama’s café, including the doodling on the walls.
Photo op moment with Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye).
But I think photo op with a cute barista is better. ^^
In my memory, the food was good and very pretty (no Instagram back then). But I have no doubt the thrill of finding the café probably added to the whole pleasant experience.
I tried to find out if the café is still in existence, but am really not too sure. You can try looking for it. If it’s not around anymore, you can check out the surrounding cafes or the original Coffee Prince café, which is just nearby.
Address: 5, Wausan-ro 29-gil Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul (MBC)
The original ‘Coffee Prince Shop No 1’ café is still around as it was used to film for the reunion. The first time I visited it, the café was under renovation, so it wasn’t very impressive.
It was all done up by the time I visited it again 4 years later.
Anyone remember these seats? It’s where Eun Chan kept bumping her head, and Han Kyul looked on with concern.
The whole café was cosy and full of memorabilia from the drama.
The food was okay. It could be because we were really full when we arrived at the café and food wasn’t what we really wanted. According to reviews on Tripadvisor, you are expect to at least order a drink each (if small group), so try and keep a little space in your tummy before heading down. We loved the cup though.
Address: 337-2 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Coffee Prince)
Saving the best (for me) for last. Han Sung’s home in Buam Dong. The cafe’s shop name is Sanmotoonge/ Sanmotoongii (산모퉁이). It is rather outof the way, so best to grab a taxi up (if you remember Eun Chan was cycling on the long and windy road.
The café was full of whimsical ornaments and decorations on all 3 levels (basement, level 1 and level 2). It was such a delight.
But I am no so sure about this… Do I want Gong Yoo looking at my butt??
I guess they changed some of the furnishings but basic layout is still there.
The view is as beautiful at night as it is during the day…
Couldn’t managed much. Too much cafe hopping but I remembered the drinks were delicious. Plus point? Got cute waiter. ^^
Address: 153 Baekseokdong-gil, Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sammotage)
We walked down after this (we were full and it was easier walking down than up) and came across this. I am guess the coffee cup refers to the café, and there is a temple rest right at the top but I’m not what the lizard means? ^^
Sweet memories.
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