On a beautiful sunny day in early autumn, I took a trip to the fringe between Yeonnamdong and it’s quieter cousin Yonhuidong. Along one of the quaint streets in the area, was a brick building painted in a dark charcoal colour.
With aged and miss matched chairs out the front of the building, empty wine bottles decorating the edge of the stairs and abstract art designs stuck onto windows, the entrance of Department.en intrigues passers-by.
From the get go, the café, store, wine bar/eatery and occasional host of DJing parties didn’t feel like a typical Korean café. The interior of the café was simple enough. The walls, ceiling and support beams were white, while the floors were carpeted in a dark grey. This simple interior was just a frame for the rest of the space which was amazing organized chaos.
The interior gave me the feeling of being in an artist’s home. Mismatched and second-hand furniture were scattered around the space. Vintage wooden household cabinetry was covered with books, empty wine bottles used as vases, turntables and sound systems. All the while, clothes on hangers were hanging about the place, half painted canvases rested on the floor and huge old light fittings were used as décor.
Although there was a lot going on in the space, it felt like everything was in the right place. This all gave the space a very European/Melbourne style atmosphere. The cafe also sold wine and dishes and also hosted Dj sets some evenings. And naturally the overall music was also well selected which added to a chic atmosphere.
Also, there were large windows along the front of the café that let in a nice amount of natural light. They also helped to open up the space. I sat by the window which looked out onto the street and just beyond it a lush grove of trees. With the sunlight streaming in, it was a beautiful and peaceful spot.
The seating was an amazing collection of interesting chairs and tables. There were normal tables and chairs for fours, a sofa, a desk, lower lounge chairs and even two chairs that looked like they were car seats. There was also some outdoor seating out the front of the space. This meant the space had a variety of purposes; socializing, working, studying or even getting a bite to eat.
As for me, I ordered a hot chocolate and short bread cookies. The hot chocolate was smooth and milky but not too sweet. It had a nice balanced flavour without being too sickening. The shortbread cookies were delicious and well made. They had a nice buttery flavour and weren’t too crumbly.
In the depths of Yeonnamdong, Department.en is a beautiful space that is like no other in Korea. In dead beat terms this café is like an escape to another country. With a chic aesthetic that seems like you’re in an artists’ home, the versatile space has a comforting yet relaxing atmosphere. If you’re in the area and you’re tried of the typical, make your way to Department.en. Not only will your appetite for charming interior design be thoroughly satisfied, your taste buds will be too.
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