Korean-inspired cafes are popping up left and right in Metro Manila. These cafes offer a unique blend of coffee, teas, and other refreshments composed of Korean ingredients. Blame it on the K-drama fever that has taken over our country and pastries, or the undeniable charm of Korea’s café culture that has captured the hearts of many. Whatever the reason, we can all agree on one thing: These Korean-inspired cafes are worth the visit.
Why Visit A Korean-Inspired Cafe Or K-Pop Restaurant?
With Korean dramas, K-pop music, and Korean cuisine gaining immense popularity all over the world, visiting a Korean-inspired café or K-pop restaurant has become a trend. The unique style and ambiance of these cafes and restaurants offer a glimpse into South Korea's vibrant culture. Whether you are a K-drama fan or a foodie, a visit to a Korean-inspired café or K-pop restaurant can be a treat for your senses.
Experience Korean culture.
If you love South Korean entertainment, visiting a Korean-inspired café or K-pop restaurant can be a real treat. These cafes and restaurants are decorated with pop art, neon signs, and posters of K-pop idols. The waitstaff may be dressed in K-pop attire, which is not something you see every day. It's like stepping into Korea without leaving your town. The ambiance instantly makes you feel like you are in Seoul, the city that never sleeps.
Try unique Korean dishes.
Korean cuisine is gaining immense popularity worldwide, and for a good reason. Korean dishes are healthy, tasty, and bursting with flavors. You can try Korean fried chicken, kimchi fried rice, bulgogi, bibimbap, and many more dishes at Korean-inspired cafes and K-pop restaurants. You can also try Korean desserts like bingsu, a shaved ice dessert, and Korean teas like green tea and citron tea. These Korean cafes and restaurants serve authentic Korean dishes that are hard to find elsewhere. It's like a gastronomic tour of Korea.
Hang out with friends and family.
Korean-inspired cafes are a great place to hang out with friends and family. You can catch up over a cup of coffee, tea, or smoothie and enjoy Korean-inspired snacks. The vibrant atmosphere, music, and décor make it a fun place to spend time with your loved ones. You can even take photos in front of neon signs or K-pop posters and upload them on Instagram or Facebook. It's a guaranteed way to get likes and comments.
Enjoy Korean music and performances.
K-pop restaurants are not just about delicious food; they are also about music and performances. You can enjoy K-pop music videos on big screens or even watch live performances from K-pop bands. It's a great place to meet fellow K-pop fans and enjoy your passion for Korean music. You can even sing along with your favorite K-pop songs. It's a K-pop experience like no other.
Discover new trends.
K-pop and Korean culture constantly evolve and introduce new ideas and trends. Korean-inspired cafés and K-pop restaurants can be a great way to discover new trends and find out what's hot in Korea. You may discover a new K-drama to binge-watch, a new K-pop band to follow, or a new Korean dish to add to your list. It's like being part of a cultural exchange program.
List of Korean Cafes in Metro Manila
Here’s our list of Korean-inspired cafes that will make you feel like you’ve landed in Seoul in the heart of Metro Manila.
Cafe Noriter
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Photo Credits: Jea Wonders
Looking for a Korean café that's got some personality? Look no further than Cafe Noriter in Taft, Manila! This OG café is one of the pioneers of the Korean-inspired café culture that's taken over the Metro, and for good reason. The cafe's interiors are quirky and colorful, sure to lift your spirits, and the cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to hunker down for a study session or catch up with friends. So whether you're looking for a fun spot to hang out or just in it for the carbs (hey, we don't judge), Cafe Noriter is a must-visit for any café lover in the Manila area.
Tom N. Tom's Coffee
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Photo Credits: Booky
Did you know that there are plenty of cafes in Metro Manila that originated in Korea? One such cafe is Tom N Tom's Coffee, a popular South Korean coffeehouse chain. They have open daily branches in Bacolod, Dumaguete, Boracay, and Clark, with a two-story location in Pasig. The Pasig branch is not only spacious but also has a cozy and relaxing ambiance.
When you visit Tom N Tom's Coffee, make sure to try their famous pretzels along with your preferred beverage. Speaking of drinks, they offer a wide selection for you to choose from. Enjoy your time at Tom N Tom's Coffee! Single-origin beans sourced from all over the world, smoothies, frappes, and more—it's worth the visit.
Cafe Seolhwa
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Photo Credits: The Seoul Story
This café, located in Fort Bonifacio, offers its food in a minimalist Korean-inspired interior that creates a calm and soothing ambiance. Seolhwa means snowflower in Korean, and its shaved ice desserts, or bingsu, come in various flavors, topped with colorful fruits and nuts that will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Café Seolhwa also offers other refreshing beverages such as teas and lattes with added Korean ingredients like honey, walnuts, and jujube for an extra special twist.
Café 408
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Photo Credits: Windowseat.ph
Introducing Café 408, the first-ever EXO-inspired café located in The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive, Quezon City. This is a must-visit destination for all Filipino EXO-Ls out there. Step into an inviting space with minimalist, industrial-chic aesthetics featuring concrete floors and a tasteful color palette of black, white, and gray. Adorned with plants and EXO memorabilia, the café emits a cozy, chill ambiance that will transport you to the scenes of Kyungsoo in the "Universe" music video.
Their extensive drink menu offers lattes, pastries, sandwiches, and Instagram-worthy non-dairy alternatives, catering to lactose-intolerant customers. And guess what? They will also be serving Chanyeol's famous tteokbokki recipe! So, grab a seat, savor their signature coffee, and groove to EXO's bops when they officially open their doors on April 8, coinciding with EXO's 11th anniversary. Stay tuned for future updates.
Leann’s Tea House
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Photo Credits: Xoxo Mrs.Martinez
If you're looking for a family-owned business that's been serving up mouthwatering KBBQ unli Meltique since 2014, Leann's Tea House is the spot for you. The Chua-Park family has created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that's sure to make first-timers feel like regulars. Whether you're in the mood for spicy beef bulgogi or savory pork belly, Leann's has got you covered. And let's not forget their delectable selection of teas—it's called a tea house for a reason! So round up your hungry friends and head over to Leann's for a meal that's sure to satisfy.
Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe
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Photo Credits: A Not So Popular Kid
Hobing is another popular Korean dessert cafe in Metro Manila that offers a wide array of different kinds of bingsu to choose from. They have two branches with different themes (K-Pop and Korean Countryside), and both of them offer an authentic taste of Korean desserts. Try their injeolmi bingsu, a shaved ice dessert topped with glutinous rice cake and dusted with soybean powder.
Purple 7
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Photo Credits: Philippine Primer
Purple 7, located at 37 Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City, is one of the top BTS-themed cafés in the country. With its purple and pink pastel interiors, eye-catching neon signs, and an extensive collection of BTS merchandise, Purple 7 is a true haven for the ARMYs, the dedicated fandom of BTS. Each corner of this café offers a perfect photo opportunity for Instagram, making it the ultimate dining destination for fans to gather and connect.
The spacious and tastefully designed interiors make it an ideal venue for cup-sleeve events or simply hanging out and having casual conversations about your favorite BTS members with fellow ARMYs. At Purple 7, you can groove to various BTS songs while indulging in a wide selection of drinks, delectable baked treats, and affordable pasta dishes.
There you have it: our top picks of Korean-inspired cafes in Metro Manila. Try to visit these cafes and taste the authentic Korean flavors that they offer right here in our city. Remember that there is a perfect Korean café for every type of occasion; you can visit for studying, hanging out with friends, or enjoying dessert alone. So go ahead and explore these cafes to find your favorite one. Happy café-hopping!
Get Close to Your Favorite K-Pop Restaurant and Cafe With Condo Living
Living in a condo is the best way to get close to your favorite K-pop restaurant and café. You can walk or take a short drive to some of the most popular cafes and restaurants, such as Cafe Noriter, Tom N Toms Coffee, Café Seolhwa, Café 408, Leann’s Tea House, Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe, and Purple 7. You can also take advantage of the amenities that condos typically offer, such as swimming pools and gyms, so you can stay fit and healthy as a K-pop fan.
Vista Residences, the leading condo developer in the Philippines, offers some of the best residential developments that are close to popular K-pop cafes and coffee shops in Metro Manila. Their projects are conveniently located near shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and other establishments.
Unlock a lifestyle of convenience with Vista Residences today! Visit their website or contact them for more information. Be one of the first to discover the culture and lifestyle that K-pop brings, only at Vista Residences.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
