A Quiet Matcha Café in Hongdae
I came across this café while walking through a quiet alley in Yeonnam-dong, and the atmosphere immediately stood out to me.
Long Vacation focuses mainly on matcha and hojicha-based drinks and desserts, and compared to the busy streets around Hongdae, it felt like a nice place to slow down and take a short break.
The exterior was also really eye-catching.
The mix of exposed concrete and red brick gave the café a clean and calm feeling, and walking up the stairs to the second floor honestly felt more like entering a small café in Japan than being in Seoul.
Korea shares a lot of cultural influence with nearby countries like Japan and China, especially when it comes to food and drinks.
Because of that, it’s actually very common to find Japanese and Chinese-inspired cafés, desserts, and restaurants while walking around Seoul.
Long Vacation felt like one of those places that naturally blends that atmosphere into its own style.
Warm Minimal Interior
The dessert posters near the stairs and the small Japanese sign matched the space really well.
Inside, the café mixed concrete interiors with wooden furniture, making the space feel clean but still comfortable.
Small details like plants and stone decorations also made the place feel thoughtfully designed.
My favorite part was probably the natural light coming through the wooden grid windows.
It made the whole café feel very photogenic no matter where you sat.
I also think the terrace area would be really nice once the weather gets cooler.
A Café for People Who Actually Like Matcha
You can tell right away from the menu that this place takes matcha seriously.
Their main drinks include Kyoto Matcha Latte, Hojicha, and Matcha Yuzu Soda, while many of the desserts also focus on matcha and yuzu flavors.
They do serve coffee too, but overall it feels much more like a tea and dessert café than a typical coffee shop.
Desserts like yuzu tiramisu, matcha pudding, terrine, and roll cake were all available, and everything looked clean and carefully made.
You also don’t have to worry too much about ordering since the menu is available in English as well.
Kyoto Matcha Latte & Iced Americano Review
I visited with a friend, so we ordered one iced Americano and one matcha latte and shared both drinks together.
Since the drinks had completely different styles, I actually think it was the right choice.
The matcha latte looked great from the start.
The deep green matcha layered over the milk looked really clean visually, and the flavor itself was also very satisfying.
It wasn’t overly sweet, and the slightly bitter matcha flavor came through pretty clearly.
At the same time, it didn’t feel too heavy or earthy, so I think people who genuinely enjoy matcha would probably like it a lot.
It definitely felt different from the sweeter matcha drinks you usually get at chain cafés.
The iced Americano was smooth and clean without strong acidity.
Taking a sip of Americano between the matcha latte balanced everything out really nicely.
Overall Thoughts
Maybe because of the atmosphere, I noticed not only locals but also quite a few foreign visitors.
The café had a calm and relaxed vibe that made it easy to stay for a while.
One small downside was that the tables were a little close together, so I can imagine it feeling slightly crowded during busy hours.
I also noticed that laptop and tablet use is restricted on weekends and holidays, but honestly that probably helps keep the atmosphere quieter.
There were a few solo visitors, but overall it felt more like a place for friends or couples to relax and spend time together.
If you enjoy matcha and calm café spaces, I think this place is definitely worth visiting.
Location & Tips
The café is hidden inside a quiet alley in Yeonnam-dong, so it can be a little easy to miss the first time.
But honestly, that hidden location is also part of the charm.
The café gets full pretty often on weekends, so visiting on a weekday afternoon is probably a better option if you want a quieter and more relaxed experience.
Previous Post in Seoul
Before visiting Long Vacation, I stopped by Malic Coffee, a quiet café in Hongdae known for its cozy atmosphere and homemade cherry pie.
If you want to check out another relaxing café in Seoul, take a look at the post below.
→ Read the review here
Next Post in Seoul
Nakrang Para (낙랑파라) is a popular café in Hongdae known for its egg tarts, peanut latte, and chestnut latte.
If you want to check out another cozy café in Seoul, take a look at the post below.
→ Read the review here