Jeonpo Cafe Street is the best thing to do in Seomyeon, Busan, in my opinion! It's full of cute cafes, and the perfect place to grab a good cup of coffee or a matcha strawberry latte. The area has a laid-back charm, and is a wonderful place to wander around aimlessly. Scroll down for some tips on how to get the most out of your visit!
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Jeonpo Cafe Street 전포 카페거리, sometimes called Seomyeon Cafe Street, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seomyeon, Busan, South Korea's second city. It's so vibrant and buzzy, with so many unique cafes, it was featured in the New York Times in 2017, as one of the top 52 places to visit in the world.
It's popular destination to visit for both locals and foreign tourists, and is my favorite thing to do in Seomyeon. Much better than Seomyeon Market! However, I'll be honest- I was rather disappointed on my first visit and almost didn't discover its charms!
This is because Jeonpo café street can be a little difficult to find, even if you're using Kakao Map or Naver Map, so you may be wandering for ages trying to figure out where it is. (Google Maps doesn't work in Korea. For more helpful Korean travel tips like this, click here.)
In addition, the streets are pretty ordinary- most of them are not super cute and don't look very different from the regular Busan street! (Busan is a port city, so the streets aren't the most attractive.)
You MUST enter the different trendy cafes, and venture down the little alleys, to discover the charm of the area.
What is Jeonpo Cafe Street about?
It's a vibrant neighborhood that is filled with unique cafes, dessert shops, souvenir shops, and more. (Don't expect luxury brands though!)
If you're a foodie that loves spending time in the most insta-worthy cafes, you'll love the area.
What to See and Do
- Diverse Range of Cafes: Jeonpo Cafe Street is famous for its wide variety of cafes, each with a different theme, interior design, and speciality coffee and teas.
- Art and Culture Hub: The area is not just about coffee; it's also known for its artistic, laid-back vibe. Some cafes double as galleries, showcasing local art.
- Instagrammable Spots: If there's one thing Koreans do well- besides K-pop, K-drama, and sincare- it's cafes! The unique and aesthetically pleasing interiors of the Jeonpo cafes make this area a haven for Instagram users.
Some of the must-visit cafes, restaurants, and dessert shops include:
- If you're there early in the morning or late at night, Vintage 38 빈티지38 is a 24-hour cafe located in Jeonpo Cafe Street! (Most of the other cafes only open after 10 or 11 am.) The industrial decor- think bricks and vintage decor- reminds me of hardware stores. It's famous for its desserts with fresh fruits.
- Address: 38 Jeonpo-daero 199beon-gil
- Naver map: 부산 부산진구 전포대로199번길 38
- I'm Thai 아임타이: slightly further away from the main area, this is a Thai restaurant opened by a Le Cordon Bleu graduate! (There's a small Le Cordon Bleu sign on the door to show you you're at the right place!)
- Address: Jeonpo-daero 199beon-gil, 12 아임타이, Busanjin-gu
- Bao Haus 바오하우스: this Taiwanese restaurant is located on the 2nd floor. Indoor seating is limited but you can grab a seat outside- weather permitting- where you'll be able to people-watch.
- Japanese restaurants: there are several around the area. Busan is actually closer to Japan than Seoul and you can get some good Japanese food here.
Besides the Coffee Shops
Some other things to see are:
- Jeonpo Catholic Church: I wouldn't visit the area just for this. However, if you're already in that part of town, and interested in churches, it may be an interesting stop.
- Address: 54 Seojeon-ro 38beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
How to Get There
Address: 26, Jeonpo-daero 209beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Subway: take the Busan Subway Line 2 and alight at Jeonpo Station, Exit 7. You'll have to walk for around 7-8 minutes to reach it.
Buses: I always recommend taking the subway in Busan if you can- as the bus drivers can be quite erratic, braking quite suddenly. However, if you're staying somewhere that is not convenient for subway access (such as Songdo Beach), you can take Buses 5-1, 10, 20, 29, 43, 52, 57, 80, 99, 111, 133 or 169-1. Get off at Bujeon Municipal Library, and you'll reach Jeonpo Cafe Street in 2-3 minutes.
Walking: I have also walked over from Seomyeon subway station before, but it's not the shortest walk (about 30 minutes or so.) If you choose this route, take subway line 2 (the green one.) Alight at Seomyeon, Exit 8 then keep walking till you see NC Department Store Seomyeon and turn right.
When to Visit
If you want to experience the buzz of crowds, go during the weekend.
Weekday mornings can be quiet- a breath of fresh air after crowded Seoul, to be honest. I prefer going on a weekday actually.
Who should NOT visit
- Don't go expecting traditional Korean cafes- this is not Insa-dong! Instead, you'll find a modern urban area with trendy cafes.
- If you're on a budget: Busan is a little cheaper than Seoul but NOT at Jeonpo Cafe Street. As it's a tourist attraction, the prices here are on the higher side (about 8000 Won for a latte.)
- If you dislike crowds, avoid the weekends.
Travel Tips
- A lot of the cafes and restaurants have a second floor, with a roof terrace- often nicer than the ground floor!
- Cafe hours vary, so if there is a specific one that you REALLY want to visit, get your hotel concierge to check the opening hours before venturing down. (And don't go too early as most cafes, except Vintage 38, will be closed.)
- There are often street festivals and events with live music, so you may want to check before you book your Busan dates!
Where to Stay
If you want to stay somewhere close to Jeonpo, I recommend Lotte Hotel Busan at Seomyeon. (It's one of the only 5-star hotels in Seomyeon. If not, you'll have to venture further out to Haeundae Beach.)
Other Busan Attractions
Here are some other things I really enjoy doing whenever I'm in Busan:
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