Korean Job Discussion Forums

[turkishlover25]

I'm looking for a good reading/writing/studying cafe in the Migeum area of Bundang. I tried one out--bought a large coffee and scone and started reading. Didn't feel... comfortable. I can't say they "stared," but Asians in general have a certain way of gazing without being direct. Anyway, I like to chill at cafes fairly often and it would be sorrowful indeed to have that habit taken away.

[climber159]

There's the "famous" cafe street in Jeongja. Plenty of cafes (including Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and a bunch of independent ones) to choose from there. The customers are wealthy enough there to have been overseas enough to be used to foreigners. I rarely had the feeling of being stared at there.

[turkishlover25]

Sounds great. I'll check it out today. Any other landmarks I can use to orient myself? I mean, there are lots of cafes in this area.

[AminoUp]

Maybe try the Mosaic English Cafe in Jeongja?

I was there for the first time last night, and although it was crowded, it seemed like a pretty alright place. English is the most-spoken language there (obviously!), and it was packed full of generally friendly folks.

Anyhow, I can't speak for what it's like during the daytime, but if you walk out Exit 4 of Jeongja station and just walk parallel to the Tancheon for a few minutes, you'll run into it. It's on the 4th floor of the building with the Woori Bank in it.

Good luck!

[climber159]

"Cafe Street" is basically between Jeongja station and the Parkview building with the fitness center. The street runs parallel to the Tancheon; the huge Paragon and Pavilion apartment buildings are between the Tancheon and "Cafe Street." Also, keep you eye out for the frequent model shoots in the area.

[turkishlover25]

Sounds like a done deal then--I'll journey there this afternoon, book in hand! Do they have good coffee?

[climber159]

Personally, I think Dunkin' Donuts has the best coffee in Korea. You have to ask for NO WATER (Mul-baeg-o) though. The other places are hit and miss...good luck.

[turkishlover25]

Do I have to ask for no water everywhere? That might explain the strange tastes encountered thus far.

[climber159]

If you're drinking black coffee, then maybe. Starbucks doesn't defile their drip coffee with extra water, but I don't know about other places.

[turkishlover25]

What's the cost for a drip-pot for the home? This is a must-purchase: I paid almost $100 for a shit one in Turkey but I needs my morning boost!

[wakingup]

I got a french press from Starbucks for about 25,000 won. It's small, but I'm only making coffee for me.

In Jeongja, there's plenty of good coffee. There are a couple Starbucks, and most of the other shops have good drip coffee. I'm never lacking for a decent Americano, and I really don't ever get stared at anywhere.

I'm surprised you were stared at in Migeum; I stayed their when I first landed and no one gave me a second look there either. Of course, I have dark hair and while I'm clearly Western, I'm not extraordinarily tall, wide, tattooed, or strange looking in any way. Everyone in Bundang should've seen enough foreigners that you're pretty boring to them - sounds like a fluke to me.

[turkishlover25]

Yeah, I'd say so. I've seen a number of foreigners just walking around, even some with kids. I must assume that one time was simply that, one time. I found some nice cafes when I went out for my walk today and spent almost two hours looking at Old English pronoun paradigms.

[Alvy Singer]

I've held down My Louis on a Saturday morning, felt pretty nice. And if you feel like a bite they've got a good spread to offer. I'd suggest that place; it's in Migeum, at any rate. (Unless, of course, that was the place you initially tried out. If so, sorry.)

[turkishlover25]

@Alvy: Couldn't find My Louis for the longest time... then I realized it's right around the corner from my place. Will try it out soon. Thanks.