Jaunted

Tucked away just east of Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul's Samcheong-dong neighborhood--a corner of the city dotted with traditional hanok roofs--the Coffee Mill (Kuh-pi Bang-aht-kan in Korean) is a quirky, humble joint. The wooden tables are etched with the names of customers and lovers, and the walls are covered with random drawings of cutesy characters.

In this cozy hallway of a coffee shop, the owner roasts his own beans--offering varieties from Ethiopia, Columbia, Mexico and other far-off locales--and specializes in hand-pour drip coffee. Regular drip brew is extremely rare in Korea outside of chains like Starbucks or The Coffee Bean; the choice is often between (usually bad) espresso drinks or famously terrible crystal coffee mix.

A strong, hot cup of Mexican coffee at the Coffee Mill will run you about five bucks, which is expensive by American standards but is quite normal in Seoul; the good news is that the cup's surprisingly robust. The cafe is a great spot to escape the chokingly humid rainy season days, and the mellow indie-pop music selection offers a soothing break from the roar of the metropolis.

Related Stories:
· The Coffee Mill [Official Site]
· South Korea Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Starbucks Alternatives coverage [Jaunted]