1. Did Kkotdongsan (디드 꽃동산점)
I heard the Kkotdongsan branch opens early in the morning, so I went for an opening run.
It’s located in a red brick building, and the white window frames matched it well.
The exterior was so pretty that I kept taking photos.
Drinks are very cheap — ₩3,000 to ₩3,500, a price hard to find in Seoul. I’m not sure if it’s cheap because it’s outside Seoul, or because the owner wants everyone to be able to enjoy it at a low price, but either way, it’s nice.
I ordered a latte.
It looked delicious.
The taste was heavy with a slightly bitter chocolate feel.
The milk was steamed just right, so it was smooth to drink.
At first it seemed a bit bitter, but the more I drank, the smoother it felt, so I ended up drinking it all quickly, haha.
Many people came in from the morning, and I could see some taking their coffee in tumblers to go, while others stayed to drink.
It was a genuine local favorite that neighborhood residents rely on.
They also gave me a cutely designed coupon.
The overall interior is mainly white.
Even the bar space is white, which makes the black espresso machine and grinder stand out.
There’s also an antique speaker and books placed around.
Inside the café space, there’s also a roastery lab.
I only peeked inside, but it looked fairly spacious.
The tables are white, and the furniture is neatly styled in brown.
The bar seating also looked comfortable.
The pavilion and village scenery visible through the window felt warm and familiar.
While looking out the window, I suddenly noticed a cat, and when I went outside to check, I saw a food bowl. It seems they take care of the neighborhood strays.
It turned out that this coffee spot was also a place where cats come to rest.
Cute ones baking bread [with their paws].
If you want to have a morning coffee in Jeonju, enjoy a delicious latte, or meet the cats that visit the café — I’d suggest visiting Did Kkotdongsan.
Info did kkotdongsan
Did Kkotdongsan
Hours: Daily · 7AM–4PM
Price range: ₩3,000 – 4,000
Address: 2 Gonjisan 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk State, South Korea
2. Steel Life
This was a café I’d already planned to visit along with Baegilmong in Jeonju.
The budget is around ₩6,000–7,500. I heard the pudding is really good, so today I ordered filter coffee with pudding.
A neat cup of coffee and milk pudding came out. The stainless steel tray was stylish.
When I first heard the name, I thought of the film with the same title. Since it’s the kind of film whose mood I like, I was curious what atmosphere the café would have — and this place was, in every corner, a Steel. Life. carrying a sense of respect for Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The neat furniture and objects scattered throughout embody “still life” itself.
Sturdy yet neat-looking chairs and tables.
Kettles and ceramics shining under soft warm lighting.
Just seeing old books stacked like that gives off a certain feeling.
Rather than turning the spines out to be read, they’re shown as objects.
It’s a placement of objects that fits the emotional tone of the space well.
Notes are also pinned up neatly.
Like Baegilmong, this place also feels less like a café and more like a showroom of crafted objects — a neat, interior-focused spot.
Personally, if Baegilmong feels delicate and a bit more feminine, I’d say Steel Life feels delicately masculine.
The two places have a similar mood but are subtly different, which made cafe touring in Jeonju quite enjoyable.
The kitchen space really looks like a space of pure white.
It’s a space where the beauty of empty space comes through well, and you can feel the owner’s aesthetic and care.
A deep affection for Ryuichi Sakamoto comes through everywhere.
Every space feels like a still-life painting. Even within monotone colors, I learned through this space how many different feelings you can get.
It feels like a space where the life of someone who has passed away still remains, so if you’re a fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto, it seems worth visiting once.
Even withered flowers become objects.
A single branch with a beautiful line, in pure white ceramic.
If you want to listen to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s music while enjoying good coffee and sweet pudding in Jeonju, or if you want to stop for a moment and sink into your thoughts — I’d suggest visiting Steel Life.
Info steel Lite
Steel Life
Hours: Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12PM–7PM (closed Tue, Wed)
Price range: ₩6,000 – 7,500
Address: 73-1 Daga-dong 1(il)-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk State, South Korea
3. Gwang Coffee Roastery (전주 광커피)
I arrived just barely in time, and fortunately, they hadn’t stopped taking orders yet.
Drinks were around ₩4,000 to ₩8,000.
I ordered the Aurora Blend, which seemed to be their most representative coffee.
The bold name made me curious what kind of taste it would have.
They were also selling various coffee beans, and it seemed like they had an impressive list of awards.
I couldn’t check all the bean prices, but they didn’t seem too expensive.
Since it was closing time, there were almost no desserts left.
The wooden-framed showcase was pretty, so I took a photo of it.
The store was spacious and well divided into sections, so it seemed like a good place to have a conversation too.
Like the bold blend, they seem to be going for a varied, colorful interior.
The tables and chairs also looked comfortable.
Each space was decorated with a fresh feel. They seem to be going for variety.
I arrived almost at closing time, so I regretted only being able to stay in the store briefly.
To think I discovered such a good roastery this late… T_T. Still, I was glad I found it and got to taste the coffee.
Right next to the café space, there was a roastery factory attached.
The space looked quite spacious and pleasant.
Judging by the fact that they even run a factory, it seems this place is popular because the coffee is good.
Coming to Gwang Coffee made it worthwhile to have stopped by Jeonju.
The coffee shops in the hanok village are nice too, but visiting a café loved by the neighborhood locals offers its own pleasure of getting to know a new area.
If you’re looking for a good roastery coffee spot in Jeonju, if you’re looking for a genuinely local café, if you want to taste the Aurora Blend that’s unforgettable once you try it — I’d suggest visiting Gwang Coffee.
Info gwang coffee roastery
Gwang Coffee Roastery
Hours: 11AM–7PM (closed Sun, and the last Monday of each month)
Price range: ₩4,000 – 8,000
Address: 29, Seohak-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk State, South Korea
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