If you’re living in South Korea, you’re probably aware that the café scene is REAL here. It seems like there’s a café on every corner (and that’s only KIND of an exaggeration). But if you’re like me, you don’t want to spend your money at a café where the food and drinks are only “so-so.” And so, here are six tried-and-true cafés near Camp Humphreys that we LOVE (and why we love them).
6 Amazing Cafés Near Camp Humphreys
*I don’t mention any “Kid Cafés” on this list specifically. However, once we’ve visited a few more, we’ll compile a list of our favorites on here too.
Before we get into all these cafés and why we love them so much, I wanted to draw your attention to one of the laws in South Korea. If you order food or drinks for dine-in at a café, they are legally required to give you reusable dishes. Only when you purchase food and drink to go are they able to give disposable dishes and utensils. That all being said, if you purchase food to go, then go. If you stay with your disposable dishes, you and the café could be fined. (NOTE: this same law evidently does not apply to all restaurants as McDonald’s and Lotteria – and others – continue to use disposable dishes even for dining in. But I have not been to a single café where this doesn’t apply. So let’s all do our part to help the café owners keep this law.)
Cosmic Cat Donut Café
Directions to Cosmic Cat Donut Café: Paste 경기 평택시 팽성읍 안정순환로222번길 93-3 into Naver and it should take you right to Cosmic Cat Donut Café. Sometimes we park on Camp Humphreys, go out the walk-out gate, and walk from there. However, there is street parking available close to the café, which is usually more convenient if you’re comfortable with the narrow roads.
Why we love Cosmic Cat Donut Café: I mean – it’s donuts. Do I even need to say more? What I appreciate the most about Cosmic Cat is their variety of flavors. They have some unique flavors, but they do it in a way that is unique and delicious – not unique just for the sake of being unique. My personal favorites? Their Strawberry Cream donut that they have in January and February and their Cherry Blossom filled donut available in the spring. I also recommend their hot Cherry Blossom latte (which I got without the coffee). I don’t know how to describe the flavor other than by saying that it tastes like spring.
Note for visiting Cosmic Cat Donut Café: Visit the Cosmic Cat Facebook page for their daily menu (which changes regularly), as well as their opening hours.
Croiange Café
Directions to Croiange Café: Paste 경기 평택시 팽성읍 부용로 41 1층 into Naver. Street parking is really the only option in this area of Pyeongtaek, but trust me when I say that even if you have to park and walk a bit, it’s worth it.
Why we love Croiange Café: This café has been staring me down for months. I’m not really sure why it took us so long to try it, but once we did, we were instantly in love. What’s so good about it? Two words: Croissant Waffles. Or Croiffles. Whatever you want to call them, they are divine beyond all reason and something I want to eat every single day of my life. With so many flavors to choose from, there is something for EVERYONE on their menu. They also have a large selection of lattes, smoothies, lemonades, and other drinks and desserts. If you find yourself with some time to kill and an empty stomach, you won’t regret visiting Croiange Café.
Bee + Honey Café
Directions to Bee + Honey Café: This café is a little farther away than the others on this list, but it is well worth a visit if you haven’t been. Paste 경기도 평택시 현덕면 현덕로 748 KR into Naver. There is a small parking lot available, but there is also space to street park.
Why we love the Bee + Honey Café: The Bee + Honey Café is a WHOLE experience – one that you need to have during your time in South Korea. They have honey tasting (I honestly had no clue honey could have so many different flavors) and you can purchase some honey to take home with you. They have a good variety of treats and drinks (I personally recommend their honey cake and honeycomb ice cream) that you can sit and enjoy in a really fun and unique environment. After you’ve had your treats, cross the street to the trailhead and do the hike up Maansan Mountain. It isn’t a super long or difficult hike, and you’ll be grateful for the experience!
Dewdrop Café
Directions to Dewdrop Café: Dewdrop Café is located right beside the Brownstone Apartments in Pyeongtaek. Paste 경기 평택시 팽성읍 신흥북로29번길 40-5 into Naver to get there. Street parking is necessary, but there is always PLENTY of room.
Why we love Dewdrop Café: Dewdrop is definitely our most visited café. Mostly because it’s where we meet with our Financial Advisor periodically, but also because their Almond Croissant and their Strawberry and Honey Latte are AMAZING. Plus it’s so close to where we live that it doesn’t make sense NOT to stop by every now and then.
Starlight Naru Café
Directions to Starlight Naru Café: Starlight Café is weirdly impossible to find on Naver. However, there is a 7Eleven right next door. So just paste 경기 평택시 팽성읍 팽성대교길 178 into Naver for the 7Eleven and walk next door. Parking can be a challenge, so I recommend visiting on a warm day, parking at Nae-ri Park and making a whole adventure out of it by walking there!
Why we love Starlight Naru Café: This was the first café that we visited when we moved to South Korea. My friend, Keira, brought us there when I was right in the middle of the worst culture shock I have ever experienced. At the time, I didn’t realize how real the “café scene” is here in Korea, but it was the perfect introduction. Ice cream parfaits that are so EXTRA, beautiful and delicious desserts, a huge variety of drinks, and a beautiful atmosphere makes this hidden gem one that will have you coming back again and again.
Café Hangout
Directions to Café Hangout: Café Hangout is located right across the street from Cosmic Cat Donut Café. But, just to make it ultra simple for you, just paste 경기 평택시 팽성읍 안정순환로222번길 95 into Naver.
Why we love Café Hangout: We went to Café Hangout for one thing… the cookies. And that is exactly what we got when we went. I can’t speak to any of their drinks or their other menu items, but I can tell you that a trip JUST for the cookies is 100% worth it!
There are SO MANY cafés near Camp Humphreys that I couldn’t possibly mention all of them. If you’re looking to explore a little, this list should give you a good starting point (and get you used to Korean cafés before you venture out farther).
What cafés would you add to the list?
’til next time…
Ash
Looking for more cafés near Camp Humphreys? Check out these other great cafés.
Le Pain Café & Bakery: Paste 경기도 평택시 팽성읍 안정리 68-29 into Naver.
The Cottage: Paste 경기도 평택시 팽성읍 안정로 40 into Naver.
Wouldulike Specialty Coffee: Paste 경기도 평택시 팽성읍 송화리 10-2 into Naver.
