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Seoul itinerary, Sangsu, Mangwon, Hongdae

Tag: Subway Line 6

  • 943 King’s Cross, Hongdae: Seoul’s Harry Potter-themed cafe

    943 King’s Cross, Hongdae: Seoul’s Harry Potter-themed cafe

    One-line takeaway

    A multi-floor, wizarding-themed playground in Hongdae—order first on the ground floor, then roam from a moody basement to a banquet hall and dorm sets, with sweet signature drinks and a weekend magic show.

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    Why you should go (3 reasons)

    • It’s genuinely immersive: B1–4F are each themed differently (tavern, cafe, banquet hall, dorm), with photo zones, a broom wall outside, robes to try, and even moving “portraits.”
    • Great with kids and groups: on weekends there’s a 14:00–16:00 magic show, and seating ranges from long banquet tables to cozy dorm-style floor seating.
    • The menu is pure theme-park fun: over-the-top signature drinks, a nostalgia-hit “Harry birthday” cake, and a turkey leg that’s better than you’d expect—even if prices are steep.

    What it’s like

    I arrived to the kind of facade that makes fans grin—there’s even a broom photo spot outside. You order on the 1st floor at a counter set among wand-shop-esque shelves and a small gift display, then take your tray upstairs.

    • B1 (Wizard’s hut/tavern): dim, barrel tables, a moody pub feel. Fun to look at, a bit dark for lingering with kids.
    • 2F (Wizard cafe): antique vibe and busy—lots of international visitors. There’s a little hunt for “moving” picture frames tucked away on a wall.
    • 3F (Banquet hall): long tables, candelabras, a crackling video fireplace; film-score vibes played when I visited. This is also where the weekend magic show gathers.
    • 4F (Dorm): the crowd favorite. Bed frames turned into floor-seating tables, a dedicated photo zone, and robes you can slip on for pictures. There’s also a paid photo booth.

    Despite the crowds, I found it surprisingly cozy once seated—more theme-park set than typical cafe, in the best way.

    What to try / how to enjoy it

    • Do a quick lap of all floors before you settle—then aim for the 3F banquet hall or 4F dorm if you want atmosphere.
    • Catch the weekend magic: 14:00–16:00; one visit noted roaming tricks on each floor and a main show around 15:20–16:00 in 3F (schedules can change).
    • Drinks are sweet by design. Popular picks included Wizard Green Tea (a green-tea smoothie crowned with a tiny chocolate “hat”), the playful “sick note” smoothie with jelly beans, and a spider-themed cookies-and-cream blend. A strawberry ade was less sugary.
    • Food worth sharing: the turkey drumstick was crisp outside and juicy inside; the “Harry birthday” cake is a photogenic chocolate cake under the pink frosting.
    • Photos: try the broom wall outside, the banquet set on 3F, and the 4F dorm with robes. If you want prints, there’s a paid photo booth upstairs.
    • Tip: ask for water at the 1F counter.

    Practical notes

    • Address: 서울특별시 마포구 양화로16길 24 (B1–4F), Hongdae area
    • Getting there: about a walk from Hongdae Ipgu (Hongik Univ.) Station Exit 9.
    • Opening hours (as posted on site visits): Mon–Thu 11:30–21:30; Fri–Sun 10:00–21:30.
    • Parking: none.
    • How it works: order first on 1F, then find seats on B1–4F. There’s no entrance fee, but prices are higher than a regular cafe.
    • Minimum order: I encountered a per-person minimum; one visit was told 1 drink per person, another noted 1 item per person (cakes didn’t count, sides did). Staff guidance/signage may vary.
    • Price snapshot from recent visits (subject to change): signature drinks around 11,800 won; Americano noted at about 10,000 won; French fries 16,500 won; “Harry birthday” cake 17,000 won.
    • Promos: a receipt-review jelly bean perk was advertised on-site; jelly beans were also sold (seen at 3,000 won). Offers can change.
    • When to go: weekends get crowded (lots of international visitors); arriving before lunch helped us explore, eat, and catch the magic before lines formed outside by late afternoon.
    대한민국 서울특별시 마포구 서교동 양화로16길 24
  • Finding quiet at Yri Cafe in Sangsu, a bookish artists’ hideout (이리카페)

    Finding quiet at Yri Cafe in Sangsu, a bookish artists’ hideout (이리카페)

    One-line takeaway

    Yiri Cafe is a cozy, book-lined cafe in Sangsu where creatives linger over coffee by day and a low-key bar vibe settles in at night.

    Why you should go (3 reasons)

    • Atmosphere: warm wood, vintage furniture, and a wall packed with books and magazines—ideal for reading, writing, or quiet laptop time.
    • Creative pedigree: known as an artists’ hangout and even a filming location for Infinite Challenge’s “Books, Books, Books” episode (무한도전, ‘정총무의 책책책, 책을 좀! 읽읍시다’).
    • Flexible menu: solid coffee and teas by day; sandwiches (and even hayashi rice) for simple meals; beer, mulled wine, and wine later on.
    yricafe2
    From Yricafe instagram

    What it’s like

    I slipped into Yri Cafe on a slow afternoon and immediately felt that hush you get in places people come to make things. One long wall is tightly stacked with books and magazines; the rest of the room wears hand-pinned notes, posters, and photos like a living collage.

    The space is bigger than it first appears, with tables, sofas, and a few bar-style seats, plus big windows that pour in soft light. There are even some outdoor seats for mild days.

    The furniture has a lovingly collected feel—some pieces are vintage finds, others designed by the owner—and that thoughtful mix gives the room its warmth.

    I noticed people reading, sketching, and tapping away on laptops; it suits quiet study or solo time. I’ve also visited earlier in the day when it was especially peaceful, the kind of calm where a diary entry almost writes itself. The cafe is known locally as an artists’ spot, and it once hosted filming for Infinite Challenge, but it still feels unpretentious and personal.

    yricafe4
    3 Jan 2026, Yri Cafe

    What to try / how to enjoy it

    • Coffee standards are all here—Americano, cappuccino, flat white, cold brew, and a cozy cafe latte.
    • Tea drinkers are covered with options like ginger, yuzu, plum, and lemon; the milk tea was a highlight on a chilly day.
    • If you want something more substantial, look for simple bites like sandwiches; hayashi rice also appears on the menu.
    • Don’t miss the brownie: rich and fudgy, it’s the treat I keep thinking about.
    • Evenings lean bar-like, with beer, mulled wine, and wine—nice for an unhurried catch-up.
    • Best seats: grab a window spot for writing or a sofa corner if you’re settling in with a book.

    Practical notes

    yricafe1
    From Yricafe instagram
    • Address: 27, Wausan-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (상수 이리카페)
    • Phone: 02-323-7861
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yricafe/
    • Getting there: about a 5-minute walk from Sangsu Station.
    • Hours: reported as 11:00–24:00 daily in some sources; another source notes extended hours (weekdays to 01:00, Fri–Sat to 02:00, Sun to 24:00). If you’re going late, it’s worth calling ahead.
    • Menu notes: coffee classics, teas, sandwiches, and at times hayashi rice; alcoholic drinks in the evening.
    • Sweet spot for quiet: I found early hours and weekday afternoons especially calm.
    • Prices (examples from my visit): hot cafe latte 5,500 KRW; chocolate brownie 6,000 KRW (subject to change).
    • Parking: short stop possible in front, but the area is tight(only 1 slot).

    대한민국 서울특별시 마포구 와우산로3길 27