A Quiet Retro-Style Cafe Hidden in the Yeonnam-dong Side of Hongdae
I found this place while walking around the quieter streets of Yeonnam-dong near Hongdae, and it ended up being one of the cafes I remembered the most afterward.
It’s about a 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station, but once you leave the busy main streets behind, the atmosphere changes pretty quickly.
Compared to the crowded tourist-heavy cafe areas around Hongdae, this place felt more like somewhere local people actually come to relax and spend time.
There were people reading books, working on laptops, and quietly talking with friends instead of just taking photos and leaving.
The red brick exterior also stood out immediately, so I naturally ended up walking in.
A Space Inspired by Old Korean Coffee Houses
Nakrang Parlor has a very distinct retro atmosphere overall.
Later, I found out the cafe was inspired by the name of one of Korea’s first modern-style coffee houses from the 1930s, which honestly makes sense once you see the space yourself.
The whole cafe has that old Korean coffeehouse feeling without trying too hard to look vintage.
The heavy wooden door, brick walls, old-style signs, and warm lighting all work together naturally.
Even the rusty standing sign outside that says “Oasis in the Alley” somehow fits the mood perfectly.
Inside, the lighting is soft and warm, which makes the whole space feel surprisingly cozy.
Vintage props and decorations are placed throughout the cafe, but the space never feels cluttered or overdesigned.
Personally, I liked the window seats the most.
When sunlight comes through during the afternoon, the atmosphere gets even better.
And during cooler weather, the terrace seats outside would probably be really nice too.
A Cafe That Actually Cares About Coffee
This place roasts its own beans, and you can tell coffee is a big part of the experience here.
Near the counter, they display two signature house blends called “Nak” and “Rang.”
Later, I found out the names came from the café’s name itself — “Nakrang” (樂浪). The character “Nak” (樂) represents joy and comfort, while “Rang” (浪) means waves or flow in Chinese characters.
Each blend also seemed to reflect its name quite well.
“Nak” had a lighter body with brighter acidity, while “Rang” felt nuttier, smoother, and slightly deeper overall.
I usually prefer balanced coffee without too much acidity, so I went with the Rang blend, and it was easy to drink.
It didn’t feel like they were simply separating beans by flavor notes — the whole concept connected naturally with the atmosphere of the café itself.
They also have several signature drinks that feel more unique than typical chain cafe menus.
The Nakrang Cream and Peanut Latte seemed especially popular, and there were also chestnut lattes and strawberry lattes for people who don’t drink coffee.
The Egg Tarts Were Better Than Expected
The dessert selection was bigger than I expected.
There were cookies, scones, and cakes, but the egg tarts were probably the highlight.
They had several different flavors including lemon, pistachio chocolate, and raspberry white chocolate.
The crust was flaky while the filling stayed soft and creamy, which paired really well with the coffee.
There was even a small sign asking customers to carefully pick up the tarts by hand because they break easily, and after trying one, I understood why.
The desserts looked good visually too, but they didn’t feel overly sweet or made just for photos.
Much Bigger Inside Than It Looks
From outside, the cafe looks fairly small, but it actually has three floors including a basement level.
Each floor has a slightly different atmosphere.
The basement feels quieter and more private, the first floor has the strongest vintage mood, and the second floor feels brighter and more open.
It feels like the kind of cafe where people stay for a while instead of quickly leaving after taking photos.
Even though there were quite a few people, the space still felt relaxed overall.
On weekends, it can get pretty busy, so going slightly earlier might be a better idea.
Overall Thoughts
Hongdae has no shortage of trendy cafes, but many of them can feel overcrowded or overly focused on aesthetics.
Nakrang Parlor felt different in a quieter and more comfortable way.
Instead of trying too hard to be flashy, it focuses more on atmosphere, coffee, and creating a place where people actually want to stay longer.
It felt more like a local neighborhood cafe than a typical tourist cafe around Hongdae.
If you’re visiting Hongdae and want a cafe that feels more local and less touristy, this place is definitely worth checking out.
Find Nakrang Parlor on Google Maps
Located in the quieter Yeonnam-dong side of Hongdae, Nakrang Parlor is about a 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3. It’s tucked away in a small alley, so it can be a little easy to miss at first, but the red brick exterior makes it easier to spot once you get close.
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
A Comfortable Stay in Hongdae, Seoul | Holiday Inn Hongdae
For the next post, I’ll be sharing my stay at Holiday Inn Hongdae — a convenient hotel connected directly to Hongik University Station and surprisingly comfortable for exploring Seoul.
→ Read the review here