봉봉방앗간 (BonBon Roastery), Gangneung
The famed cafe in the centre of the coffee city of Gangeung, loved by locals and travelers alike
December 2023
Exterior view of the beautiful 봉봉방앗간 (BonBon Roastery) in Gangneung, South Korea.
In the eastern sea-side city of Gangneung, Korea, you’ll find no shortage of coffee shops –the city is famous for its abundance of such establishments. Since the early 2000s, local staples such as Bohemian Roasters and Terarosa have helped cement Gangneung’s status as the coffee capital of Korea. Many tourists can be found in the dozens of cafes along the Anmok Beach Coffee Street, popular for its East Sea views, but in the adorable, quieter old-town area of Myeongju-dong, there is one cafe that stands out amongst the rest:
BonBon Roastery.
First opened in 2011, this cafe specialises in artisanal hand-drip coffee set in the building of a former 1940s mill which used to make dry cooking ingredients such as rice cakes, sesame oil and chilli powder. The building has retained much of the character of the old mill with its exposed brick walls and beautiful high ceiling and roof. While there are no vegan dessert or milk options, their drip coffee and espresso-based drinks and peaceful atmosphere are reason enough to make the journey here.
BonBon Roastery is also a cultural space that supports the work of locals artists, musicians, filmmakers and sellers of handmade goods. The location may be well-known to many Korean film fans from Hong Sang-soo’s 2017 film “On the Beach at Night Alone” starring Kim Min-hee who stops by the cafe to meet an old friend and ponder the direction in which her life is heading. The exterior of building, with its ivy-covered wall and red bicycle, is an iconic spot for a photograph, and you can pick up a postcard featuring an artists impression of the cafe.
The beaches of Gangneung are a popular spot to catch the first sunrise of the new year in Korea, so if you find yourself in the city, a trip to BonBon Roastery is must-do before heading home at the start of 2024. If you’re elsewhere in Korea, you can order from a selection of expertly roasted coffee beans on the cafe’s website, bonboncoffee.com!
봉봉방앗간 is open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00. Instagram @bonbon.roastery
봉봉방앗간 (BonBon Roastery), Gangneung
The famed cafe in the centre of the coffee city of Gangeung, loved by locals and travelers alike
December 2023
Exterior view of the beautiful 봉봉방앗간 (BonBon Roastery) in Gangneung, South Korea.
In the eastern sea-side city of Gangneung, Korea, you’ll find no shortage of coffee shops –the city is famous for its abundance of such establishments. Since the early 2000s, local staples such as Bohemian Roasters and Terarosa have helped cement Gangneung’s status as the coffee capital of Korea. Many tourists can be found in the dozens of cafes along the Anmok Beach Coffee Street, popular for its East Sea views, but in the adorable, quieter old-town area of Myeongju-dong, there is one cafe that stands out amongst the rest:
BonBon Roastery.
First opened in 2011, this cafe specialises in artisanal hand-drip coffee set in the building of a former 1940s mill which used to make dry cooking ingredients such as rice cakes, sesame oil and chilli powder. The building has retained much of the character of the old mill with its exposed brick walls and beautiful high ceiling and roof. While there are no vegan dessert or milk options, their drip coffee and espresso-based drinks and peaceful atmosphere are reason enough to make the journey here.
BonBon Roastery is also a cultural space that supports the work of locals artists, musicians, filmmakers and sellers of handmade goods. The location may be well-known to many Korean film fans from Hong Sang-soo’s 2017 film “On the Beach at Night Alone” starring Kim Min-hee who stops by the cafe to meet an old friend and ponder the direction in which her life is heading. The exterior of building, with its ivy-covered wall and red bicycle, is an iconic spot for a photograph, and you can pick up a postcard featuring an artists impression of the cafe.
The beaches of Gangneung are a popular spot to catch the first sunrise of the new year in Korea, so if you find yourself in the city, a trip to BonBon Roastery is must-do before heading home at the start of 2024. If you’re elsewhere in Korea, you can order from a selection of expertly roasted coffee beans on the cafe’s website, bonboncoffee.com!
봉봉방앗간 is open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00. Instagram @bonbon.roastery