Seoul｜Cafe Onion Anguo—Turning Hanok into the sweetness and light of the morning 🎐🥐

#September2025

Located between Bukchon and Insadong, Cafe Onion's Anguk branch uses wooden beams, tiled eaves, and a table of freshly baked bread to capture your "Hanok morning" in photos and mouthfuls of buttery goodness.

Background Story and History | From the Industrial Style of Seongsu-dong to the Hanok Style of Anguk
•Brand Origin (2016): Cafe Onion opened its first branch in Seongsu-dong, transforming a 1970s factory/grocery and repair shop into a cafe. Preserving the textures of the stained cement and steel structure, it became a representative example of the regeneration of old buildings in Seoul.
•Anguk Branch (Hanok Renovation): Anguk shifts its focus to Bukchon—using the traditional Hanok as its framework, adding wooden beams, paper doors, tiled roofs, and corridors. The brand's motto is "embracing the beauty of the original architectural traces." Address and walking distance information have been officially confirmed; it's approximately a three-minute walk from Exit 3 of Anguk Station.
• Popular Signatures: The brand's bakery often features Pandoro (Pangdoro/Iced Snow Mountain Bread), sea salt butter bread, and a variety of coffees; travel information websites also list these as popular choices at the Anguo branch.

In a nutshell: Onion has evolved from an industrial relic to a traditional Korean-style courtyard; the same cup of coffee, expressed in a different architectural language.

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My On-Site Journey | Wooden Door - Breadcase - Window Seat

The first impression is the rugged yet gentle wooden beams. The "Onion" on the door lintel looks like modern letters nailed to an ancient eaves. To the right of the entrance are the refrigerator and bakery counter. You'll be immediately drawn to the fruit croissants (figs and green grapes are featured in the photo), their delicate dusting of powdered sugar creating a visually appealing experience. The interior flow is clear: pick up your plate and tongs → queue for checkout → get your own cutlery and water cup → find a seat. I chose a long table by the window. Outside, there's a green tiled roof and a courtyard, while inside, wood and stone floors soften the light. If you prefer the outdoors, there's seating along the corridor to the courtyard. The breeze blows through the paper doors, and the aroma of coffee and bread gently wafts toward you.

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What to Eat (including address | Food Review)

Cafe Onion Anguk | Address: 5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 계동길 5)
• Seasonal Fruit Croissant: The cream is firm and the croissant is layered; the green grapes/figs and fresh cream bring the weight of the fat to a refreshing level, perfect for camera-first eating.
• Pandoro Frosted Snow Mountain: The slice is dense and has a distinct vanilla aroma. For photos, I recommend taking a 45° angle to capture the mountain shape and the powdered sugar. • Sea Salt Butter Bread: Lightly crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, with a perfect balance of salty and sweet, perfect with black coffee.

• Latte/Vanilla Latte: Finely foamed, not overly sweet. For a more complex dish, order a latte or Americano.

Dessert and drink options vary seasonally and based on store availability, and prices are subject to availability. To save time, order within an hour of opening in the morning.

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5 Tips for Taking Photos on-site
1. Door Lintel (Onion) + Eaves: Stand at the doorway at a 10–15° angle, aligning the eaves with the logo.
2. Panoramic View of the Hanok Exterior: Step back to the corner and use the street light to brighten the wooden windows.
3. Close-up of a Fruit Croissant: Face the croissant facing the camera, using a depth of field of f/2.0–2.8.
4. Refrigerated Takeout Case: Shoot the entire row of boxed snacks at a 30° angle; handwritten labels are photogenic.
5. High Ceilings: Look up at the joints of the wooden beams, leaving about 1/3 of the space blank to allow the lines to breathe.

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Prices | Hours | Queuing Strategies
•Hours: Opens at 7:00 AM on weekdays (9:00 AM on weekends). 9–11 AM is the sweet spot with the softest light and shortest lines.
• Waiting time: During peak hours, we collect our plates first and then order; staff will manage the flow of people during busy periods.
• Budget: Coffee and bread rolls KRW 8,000–15,000 per person (depending on selection).
• Etiquette: Self-service water and recycling after meals; walk quietly in the courtyard and hallways, respecting other guests and local residents.

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How to get there (Transportation)
• Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3, approximately a 3-minute walk; the restaurant also provides official directions.
• Walking distance: To the north, you'll reach Bukchon Hanok Village, and to the west, you'll find Insadong-daero Road; both areas are great for walking and photographing.

Nearby attractions/hotels
• Changdeokgung Palace (10–15 minute walk): Morning photos of the palace walls and detailed paintings.
• Bukchon Eight Scenic Spots Route: undulating alleyways and rolling rooftops. • Accommodation recommendations: Orakai Insadong Suites (apartment-style), Nine Tree Hotel Insadong (good lighting and convenient shopping).

Six reasons I recommend Cafe Onion in Anguk

1. Unbeatable setting: The combination of a hanok and coffee blends tradition with everyday life.

2. Stable bread: Croissants, pandoro, and sea salt butter bread each have their own signature creations.

3. Photo-friendly: The door lintel, courtyard, wooden beams, and refrigerator are all well-placed.

4. Great morning experience: As soon as the shop opens, you'll feel like the city has slowed down.

5. Easy access: Anguk Station Exit 3, 3 minutes away, with stress-free connections to Bukchon and Insadong.

6. Complete brand story: From the Seongsu industrial style to the hanok style, we see the urban regeneration of Seoul.

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Practical Tips (Avoiding Pitfalls/Photography/Expenses) 💡
• Peak Hours: Weekends are most crowded from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; weekday mornings or evenings are more comfortable.
• Seating: If you're afraid of the sun, choose an indoor wooden window; if you want to photograph the eaves, choose the courtyard corridor.
• Weather: Don't be disappointed on rainy days; the color of wet tiles and wooden beams is even more captivating.
• Payment: Most accept credit cards and mobile payments; a small amount of cash is convenient for nearby shops.
• Takeout: Boxed snacks are perfect for a late-night snack at the hotel; take photos first and refrigerate for best taste.
• Etiquette: The area surrounding the hanok is residential, so please be mindful of volume and garbage separation.

Check-in: Cafe Onion Anguk | Bukchon Hanok Village | Insadong | Changdeokgung Palace
#CafeOnion #어니언안국 #Hanokcafe #Bukchon #AngukStationCafe #SeoulDessert #SeoulCafe #KoreaTravel ☕️🍯📸

• Name | Cafe Onion Anguk (어니언안국)
• Location | 5/5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (about a 3-minute walk from Anguk Station Exit 3)
• Hours | Weekdays 7:00 AM–10:00 PM; Weekends and holidays 9:00 AM–10:00 PM (last order 9:30 PM)