Hakrim Dabang 학림다방

A creaking wooden staircase leads up to this 1950s-era dabang, an old Korean tearoom of wood paneling, fabric sofas and low lighting, where LP records play and requests are taken. The Vienna coffee tops strong coffee with cream that is only lightly sweet, and the regular coffee is hand-dripped. Ginger tea, parfait and cheesecake round out the menu. You are shown to a seat first, then order at the counter and drinks are brought over. Window seats overlook the Daehak-ro street and get daylight; inner seats are dim and snug. Tight spacing and echoing voices make conversation hard, there is often a queue, and there is no parking.