Did you arrive in South Korea and want to level up your productivity by 10x?
Well, study cafes are it.
75% or more of Korean students go to study cafes to study, mainly because it helps them with their productivity.
Plus, getting coffee here is delicious.
Anyways, you’re not going there to get coffee, so let’s get started.
Overview of Study Cafes in South Korea
If you’re looking for a study cafe in Korea and want to spend some time studying at a peaceful place, then it’s important that you find the right place.
Here is a basic overview of the best study cafes in South Korea that’ll make sure you get some work done.
- Dok-dabang
- Meeple 미플
- Lang Study Cafe
- Pika Coffee
- Gabie
- Check_grow
- A Twosome Place
- Coffee Libre.
- Ddong Café
- Hell Cafe
- Coffee Graffiti
1. Dok-dabang
Address: Zuid-Korea, Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Sinchon-dong, Myeongmul-gil, 36 8층
Dok-dabang is by far the best study cafe in South Korea. It’s not only very close to Yonsei University (5-minute walk max.), but it’s also near other cafes.
From the inside, it looks a bit older-themed, but with over 35+ seats, it’s easy to find your own spot. What I like the most about this place is the balcony with an amazing view.
You look straight at the church and university itself.
Most people often go here to study or take a break from class. Even though it’s quite crowded most of the time, it’s still one of the best places to get some work done.
Every time I go here, it gets me locked in, and the work I need to get done will be done 90% of the time.
So, if you’re near this study cafe, it’s basically a no-brainer, especially when you’re visiting Yonsei University.
Some popular drinks are iced coffee and latte macchiato. Koreans love to drink these types of drinks while studying.
2. Meeple 미플
Address: 29-81 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Whenever you’re searching for the cutest study cafe, this is it. With tons of study rooms, you can take your time and study. What I love about this cafe is that you have different rooms where you can study.
There’s plenty of room for people that want to study alone, and if you’re hungry, there are snacks. Even though it’s not entirely free, it’s still one of the better study cafes in South Korea…
And trust me… I’ve been to a lot of study cafes in the past, where they didn’t really meet the basic standards, which were clean study rooms, silent rooms, and no charging stations.
This cafe has all of that, which makes it one of the better ones in Seoul.
Also, some foreigners study here. It’s not a lot, but if you have time and want to make new friends, it might be an option.
3. Lang Study Cafe
Address: 26 Achasan-ro 34-gil, Jayang 4(sa)-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
If you’re looking for a study place where you can eat and take away food, this is it. There are many study groups that study regularly here, and not only because it’s comfy.
But, it’s mainly because of the great experience. I’ve been here a couple of times, and there are free wifi codes on the wall, which is amazing.
There are also tons of charging stations on the wall. However, make sure that you have a Korean travel adapter with you. Otherwise, it probably won’t work.
There are about 35 places where you can take a seat. Remember that this isn’t a place to make friends because it’s entirely focused on studying.
When you go inside the cafe, it’s one of the quietest places I’ve ever been to. Everyone is studying silently.
4. Pika Coffee
Address: 76-1 Anamdong 5(o)-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Pika Coffee in Seoul is a smaller cafe than the other ones. The interior is very well designed, and there are lots of wine bottles used as decoration.
This is what I love about this place, and even though it’s not as big as the other ones.
Once you start studying here, you’ll fully get into your deep work mode. This is great because you’ll actually get work done instead of scrolling through your phone.
Now, it is required to order some coffee if you want to study here. Mainly because it’s not the biggest place and the store still needs to make some profit.
So, if you haven’t been to this study cafe yet, make sure to give it a try.
5. Gabie
Address: 147-1 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
The Gabie study cafe in South Korea looks extremely modern. It’s not the biggest out there, but it’s certainly one of the most modern cafes when it comes to studying.
Everyone has their own space, and the best part… there’s air conditioning inside. Even during the hot summers, you can study comfortably inside.
However, when you’re studying with a big group, this might not be the best place to go.
The tables inside are quite small, and there aren’t any long tables like some other cafes have. But whenever you’re alone and want to get some work done, this is an excellent place to study.
There’s also music playing in the background, so take a pair of earbuds with you if you want to study in silence.
6. Check_grow
Address: 31 Mapo-daero 4da-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Check_grow has one of the best views when it comes to studying cafes in South Korea. The view is absolutely mind-blowing. There’s no other study cafe out there with the same view as this one.
Now, that does mean that it might distract you from studying, but if you can focus on your work, this is a no-brainer.
The only downside is that the coffee tends to be more expensive than the other cafes. And it is required to order a cup of coffee.
If you like sitting outside, then this might be your favorite place. They have a balcony outside where you can study too.
So, give it a try if you haven’t been here yet.
7. A Twosome Place
Address: 9-22 Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
The A Twosome Place is great for studying. It’s very close to the busy streets in Myeondong, where all the popular street food markets are located.
This place is great if you want to get some work done. There’s no entrance fee required, but you do have to order a cup of coffee. So, keep that in mind whenever you’re going here.
Also, this is a very famous place for expats that need to get work done. Because this is at the center of the foreign areas, there are lots of people from all over the world here.
Now, for some people, that’s a huge plus, while others prefer to meet locals. Give it a go, chances are, you won’t regret it.
8. Coffee Libre
Address: 198 Seongmisan-ro, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Coffee Libre has multiple locations in Seoul, so there are plenty of options to choose from. The one in Seoul is very trendy, and there are tons of seats.
This makes it one of the most efficient study places because of the number of people inside. Everyone is studying, which makes you want to study as well.
And there are coffee machines where you can get a refill.
All in all, this is a great place to study when you’re in Mapo-gu. Sadly, there aren’t many foreigners here, so don’t expect the workers to speak any English at all.
9. Ddong Café
Address: Jongno-gu, Seoul
Ddong Café is probably not the best study cafe to go to when you want to study in peace. This cafe is mostly designed for kids or tourists that want to see something different.
It’s a very hot tourist spot, but not a place to study if you want it to be very quiet. However, if you want to see something new and somewhat weird, then this might be a good place to visit once in a while.
Go with your friends, and they’ll be surprised something like this exists in South Korea.
10. Hell Cafe
Address: 238-43 Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Hell Cafe is located on a very quiet street in Seoul. From the inside, it’s very old school and looks amazing. You can order coffee, cakes, and even take away if you want to.
The cafe isn’t the biggest in South Korea, but from the outside, it looks great.
There are about 10 to 15 tables inside, and it’s a great place to study. Most people go here to order some drinks.
The majority of locals don’t study here because it can get quite loud when the people make coffee.
11. Coffee Graffiti
Address: 10-1 1층 커피그래피티, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Lastly, there’s Coffee Graffiti. This cafe is very small compared to the other ones on this list. There are a couple of tables inside where you can sit.
From the outside, it looks very well designed. It has a black coffee background, and it stands out from the other shops.
You can’t get any coffee refills here because it’s a one-off purchase. However, it’s still a great place to visit if you’ve never been here before.
Cost of Study Cafe in Korea
The average cost of studying in a cafe in South Korea is free. However, most stores require you to order a cup of coffee or something to eat.
Other than that, almost all study cafes in Korea are totally free.
That’s why so many students use it. You don’t have to pay, and you get your own study room. Now, remember that there are some coffee shops that do require payment.
These coffee shops offer free snacks and coffee, but it’s often not that expensive. Generally speaking, it’s about $10 to $15 for 3 to 5 hours of studying.
So, if you like a quiet place or want your own study space, then this is a great way to get some work done.
And because so many people are studying, it would be a waste of time to go there and don’t study. Some cafes also have classical music running in the background, but you can always wear your headphones if you don’t like that.
Study Cafe for Beginners
How Does it Work?
Finding a study cafe in Seoul isn’t that hard. There are many study cafes in Myeondong, Hongdae, and Gangnam.
You can find these on the Kakao map, which is the most used navigation app in South Korea. They don’t really use Google Maps.
Once you’ve found a cafe, you can either call in or walk there. 99% of the cafes don’t require a reservation unless it’s fully booked.
You can walk in and find a study space for yourself.
That’s it. You start studying, and you leave whenever you’re finished.
Effectiveness
For the majority of people studying in a Korean study cafe, it’s one of the most effective ways.
Because Koreans tend to live with their grandparents at home, it’s easier to find a quiet place somewhere and study there.
Also, there are unique cafes where you can study, and whenever you see other people studying, you tend to start studying as well.
Separate Study Rooms
If you’re with a group of friends and want to have a separate study room, it’s best to book in advance. This is great whenever you’re working on group projects or want to brainstorm an idea with your friends.
Even though these are mostly used by locals, it doesn’t mean that foreigners can’t use these as well.
Some study cafes don’t require booking in advance, so you can just take the separate study room as you go.
Keep in mind that if there are lots of people waiting, don’t overstay, especially when you’re done studying and are hanging out in there.
Opening Hours
The majority of Korean study cafes are open 24/7. This is because Koreans tend to study before and after college hours.
This is great whenever you want to study; you can go to a study cafe or coffee shop. And the best part… South Korea is by far one of the safest places to walk at night.
There’s almost no crime, and if you don’t walk into dark alleys alone at night, you’ll be perfectly fine.
Final Thoughts
After all, study cafes are extremely popular in South Korea. Almost all students use these once their college/uni is over. You can find your own study space and get comfortable.
Most study cafes are open 24/7, and you can use them whenever you want. Some charge an entrance fee, but those often come with free coffee and snacks.
