Right before hopping onto an airplane back to Seoul, the last stop of my Jeju Island trip was to Ihodong, a neighbourhood in Jeju City. Along the coast, just a ten-minute drive to the airport, is a large concrete building. Here is where you can find the large café, Café Jinjungsung.
One of a few branches around Korea, the exterior of the café has a very stark feel to it. With concrete pillars, a concrete roof, and large concrete tiles in very sharp straight angles, the building gave off a brutalism feel.
However, this concrete element was broken with a circular hole cut into the roof and floor of the building’s front terrace. Here there was a beautiful tree growing in the space, which added a pure beauty to the cafe's exterior and was also a great spot for photos.
Elements of the exterior were carried inside the café with concrete covering some of the walls and concrete pillars spread evenly throughout the space. However inside the café it felt more welcoming and calming. The floors were a warmer beige large stone tiles, the ceiling was also covered in a warm toned wood paneling. Even the ordering counter at the rear of the café was covered with Jeju volcanic rock, but with grey and beige stones mixed. This added a lovely warmth to the atmosphere.
The space was large and open with huge windows that opened up the entire front of the café. These windows directly faced the ocean and gave off the feeling of being in the sea. My friend and I went on a rainy day. And although the sky was cast in a misty grey, it added to the atmosphere of the café and made it feel like a safe haven in the middle of the storm.
The café was busy and all the seats were similar; black and grey tables and chairs for either twos or fours, as well as more lounge style chairs that faced out onto the ocean. While the tables were appropriate for working, since it was busy, it seemed like the cafe was more suited to socialising.
As for the drinks, I got the gold milk tea while my friend got the tangerine milk tea and we shared a caramel tigre. The milk teas were home brewed and were only available iced. They were specially served in what seemed to be a custom tea set and strainer. Both of the milk teas were some of the best milk teas I have ever tasted.
The tangerine milk tea was perfectly flavoured with tangerine, Jeju island’s classic sweet citrus fruit. Yet the tangerine flavour was light enough that there was still a lovely tea flavour to it. The gold milk tea was a classic milk tea with a beautiful smooth texture and with a strong by delicate tea flavour, perfectly sweetened. While the milk tea was a little expensive at 8,000 won, it was total worth the price. The caramel tigre was also delicious. The caramel was thick and the tigre itself was lovely and buttery. This is why it’s a top pick for sure.
Café Jinjungsung, whether you are heading to, or from the airport, or you’re just staying in Jeju City, this is a café that you must try for many reasons. In dead beat terms is a spectacular space that alongside being physically beautiful, it’s menu is also top quality. Regardless if you’re looking for an ocean view, hints of brutalist architecture or an exceptional milk tea, this café is worth making a detour for sure.
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