Hand-drip coffee is also known by other terms such as pour-over coffee or hand-brewing, but either way, the result is the same: a cup of coffee made by hand! This kind of coffee which has a richer taste because it takes time to extract flavour and oils from the grounds than coffee that’s quickly brewed through a machine at high temperatures. Here are eight great places to get hand-drip coffee in Seoul that you need to try.
1. Anthracite
From renovating a closed factory in Hapjeong to opening branches in Jeju, Hannam, Seogyo, and Yeonhee, the company has grown quickly. Anthracite is one of the few specialty hand-drip coffee shops that attaches particular importance to the coffee-making process, often inviting coffee lovers to attend coffee cupping classes that explain the journey from bean to brew. Enjoy some of the best hand-drip coffee in Seoul while watching baristas and roasters at work in an open-plan interior.
The coffee beans come from a variety of origins, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Guatemala, and there are two varieties: regular Americano and cold brew, so you can enjoy your favourite Americano, latte, and more.
📍 Hannam Store: 240 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
📍 Hapjeong Store: 10, Tojeong-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📍 Seogyo Store: 11 World Cup-ro 12-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📍 Yeonhee Store: 135 Yeonhee-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
2. lowkey
With five branches across Seoul, including the original in Seongsu, lowkey roasts all their coffee in-house, and they’re so confident in their beans that they even offer a bean subscription service for locals. Lattes are often said to be particularly strong.
You can also sign up for monthly beginner’s coffee classes on their website, and they have a wide range of products, including machine-ready capsules and bottled cold brew coffee.
📍 lowkey Seongsu: 6, Yeonmujang 3-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
📍 lowkey Yeonhui: 433-8 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Additional locations at Hey Ground in Seongdong and GS Tower in Gangnam.
3. Namusairo
Opened in 2002, Namusairo is one of the oldest and most beloved hand-drip coffee shops in the world, dating back to a time when the concept of hand-drip coffee was still uncommon. They offer a variety of roasts, all of which can be enjoyed hot or iced. With so many bean varieties, it’s hard to know what to drink, but take the staff recommendations on board. Just describe the style you’re looking for and you’re guaranteed a great cup of coffee.
I especially like that you can buy drip bags made here separately, so you can enjoy their coffee anytime, anywhere.
📍 21, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
4. Terarosa
Terarosa is the original coffee shop that turned Gangneung into a coffee destination. You used to have to travel all the way to Gangneung to get a taste of their coffee, but with branches popping up all over Seoul, you can get your Terarosa fix near you. All their beans are roasted in-house in Gangneung.
Terarosa’s unique interior and huge variety of beans appeal to a wide range of tastes. The coffee is great, but they also have an extensive line of baked goods, so it’s a great place for brunch or dessert.
📍 Gwanghwamun: 50, Jongno 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
📍 Hannam: 15, 36-gil, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
📍 Gangnam: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
5. Coffee Libre
As unique and quirky as its name, Coffee Libre is so serious about its beans that the owner even imports them himself. That’s why you can get quality coffee without breaking the bank. There are stores all over Seoul, but Yeonnam is the original and oldest. It’s quite nostalgic to see the shelves divided into small compartments like you would find in an old Korean clinic.
Each week they provide a weekly list of beans with detailed descriptions so you can choose your favourite. They also sell capsules for your own machines.
📍 Coffee Libre Yeonnam: 20-5 Seongmisan-ro 32-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
6. Coffee M Stable
Coffee M Stable, a coffee shop in Cheongdam, is easy to get to and a great place to meet up with friends. The wood interior gives it a cosy feel, whilst the beans are roasted in-house by the owners and served to perfection.
All of the coffees on the menu get good reviews, but the coffees with milk, like the flat white, are often described as delicious brews to savour.
📍 57-2 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea