Seoul’s one and only waterfall cafe has exploded in popularity and it is officially one of the most visited attractions Seoul has to offer. It’s hard not to see why, there are photos all over Instagram and videos all over TikTok showing off the “waterfall cafe” in Seoul.
But the cafe isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, if you don’t know what you’re getting into, visiting Cafe Pokpo can be a time sink in an otherwise perfect travel itinerary. So, for those of you looking to take the plunge, here are 5 tips you need to know before visiting Cafe Pokpo.
For more information and photos, check out our FULL post on Cafe Pokpo.
Take a Taxi from Hongdae Station
Taking the bus from Hongdae Station to Cafe Pokpo isn’t impossible, but it’s more trouble than its worth. Especially if you’re traveling with 3 or more people. Instead, we recommend taking at 10 minute taxi ride from Hongdae Station. The taxi should cost around 7,000 KRW and it’ll take you directly to the location rather than the bus stop two blocks away.
Yes, there are mutiple buses you can take and yes the bus stops are only two blocks from the subway station. But then you’re left waiting for the bus and you’ll have to walk to the cafe proper from the bus stop. Instead, save on valuable time and just take a quick taxi ride to the cafe.
Get a Seat First
There’s so much to see at Cafe Pokpo that you might be tempted to wander around, but the first thing you need to do is find a seat! This is the most popular spot in the area and that’s especially true on weekends when it can get incredibly crowded.
Now, as the seating is public seating, there is no wait list or staff to help you out. You’ll need to walk around and find an empty seat or table, or get to the seats first when people stand up to leave. Expect to wait anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to get a seat on the deck if you want to enjoy a view of the waterfall while you sip on a latte. Unless, you know about the secret seats.
Sit on Under the Deck
Under the wooden deck are additional benches and seats that are empty every time we visit. The view from here isn’t any less nice, but most visitors never notice the seats here. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of waiting for seats, we recommend going under the deck where there are far fewer people.
To reach this area, take the stairs down from the wooden deck and head towards the open area in front of the waterfall. Directly across from this area are a set of benches and tables. They’re perfect for drinking coffee, but also for lunch if you happen to have some food with you. Speaking of coffee…
Get Coffee from Somewhere Else
Like we said earlier, the deck seating is public seating provided by the local government. And while the view is great, the coffee from the nearby cafe is pretty mid. That’s why we recommend going to the budget friendly Mega Coffee across the street or the Angel-in-Us located inside the nearby hospital for better fare. Once you’ve gotten your seat, you can leave a bag or jacket behind to keep your seat while you get your drink.
Of course, if coffee isn’t your thing, you’re free to simply sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Check out Yeonhui Forest
Most visitors leave once they’ve had enough of the view and head back into Hongdae or through Yeonnam-dong which is located nearby. But, if you’ve got a bit more energy to spare, we recommend checking out Yeonhui Forest just across the river.
During the spring and summer, the flowers are all in bloom and it makes for a romantic walk. If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, we highly recommend the Ansan Cherry Blossom Trail. It’s a local spot, but it’s well-worth the visit.
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