AlwaysAugust
I’d been meaning to visit Always August for a while, and finally made it today. I’d heard it’s always crowded, so I timed my visit for opening hours.
The desserts on display looked genuinely delicious — the kind of visual that makes you want to try everything. They also sell beans on-site.
I’d heard this is a well-known specialty coffee spot, so I ordered the filter coffee. The coffee info card looked handwritten, and I loved that personal touch. Today’s coffee was Kenya Moran Selection #2.
According to the café’s own description, “Moran” takes its name from the East African Maasai warriors, chosen for a selection meant to capture the strength and depth of Kenyan coffee — bold like a warrior, with cup notes of orange, blackcurrant, and citrus. (— Always August website)
It was so juicy and bright I almost questioned whether it counted as coffee at all — the only downside being that it’s so good, it disappears too fast. I paired it with the sweet potato dessert, which practically melted in my mouth — soft, not overly sweet, and a great match for the coffee.
As a well-known spot, it’s earned its Blue Ribbon recognition too. The shelving, finished in metal, gives off a clean yet hip sensibility. The cold texture of the metal against the uniquely designed ceramics creates an interesting contrast — tough yet clean, and still somehow cozy.
The wood flooring adds a sense of elegance and the marks of time. The overall mood leans elegant and classic, while a modern stainless storage unit keeps things from feeling dated — that mix is part of what makes the space feel different from other cafés.
The seasonal decorations were a nice touch too — it’s impressive how much of a winter mood can be created using just shades of green. Credit to the owner’s eye for design.
What looks like the brewing space has its own lighting that gives it a cozy feel. There are traces on the walls that look like they’re left over from a removed wall — small details like that give the space a sense of history, which I appreciated. The various notes stuck to the walls were fun to read through too, some drawn with what looked like a BIC pen — a rough, unpolished charm that seems to run through the whole café. Dried leaves add an extra layer of warmth to the space.
The warm-toned lighting makes the whole atmosphere even cozier, rounding everything out nicely. The chairs look good and are comfortable too. Even the takeout cups are printed with a photo that has real personality.
The coffee was genuinely delicious, and the space was so appealing that I wanted to stay much longer than planned.
If you want truly great coffee in Mangwon, a beautiful space to enjoy it in, or a good dessert to pair with your drink — Always August is worth the visit.
Info about always august
Always August
Open: 11:30am ~ 10pm,
Sunday 11:30am~9pm
address: 19 Mangwon-ro 6 gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
price range: 5,000won~ 9,500won
Average Price : 8,000~ 15,000won per person