OWL Magazine Korea

Seoul Gwanghwamun Cafe “Gute Leute Gyeongbokgung Branch

“Gute Leute” is a German word meaning “Good People.” It can be translated into English as “Good People.”

This is a relatively new franchise cafe that can be found in various locations in Seoul, but its expansion is not yet very rapid. You can find the “Gute Leute” cafe in the Gwanghwamun area, which can be considered one of Seoul’s representative office-dense areas.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun Cafe, Gute Leute Gyeongbokgung Branch”

The exact name of this place is “Gute Leute Gyeongbokgung Branch,” located close to Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line 3. In fact, you can find the cafe right next to exit 6 of Gyeongbokgung Station, so it is very conveniently located, just in front of the exit.

You can find the precise location on the first floor of the Hyundai Modern Building, accessible from the north entrance.

“The Philosophy of Gute Leute”

Gute Leute operates with the following philosophy. Ultimately, it is a space created to provide a place to spend time with good people.

“We may not know each other well, but we live in the same city and share countless commonalities. Gute Leute’s space was ultimately created to embody the essence of ‘people,’ specifically ‘good people.’ The first encounter with Gute Leute may feel cold and raw, filled with monochrome, but after spending time together two or three times, everything else materialistic is excluded, and only the good times, the people we were with, and the precious conversations remain. We hope that ‘Gute Leute’ will be a place where the sincerity of good people is encapsulated in everything shared in this space. We hope to be remembered as a warm space that smells like people, a valuable space that lingers in memory, and we will greet you warmly with good coffee.”

“Diverse Espresso Menu Cafe”

At Gute Leute, you can often find menus that are not commonly seen in other cafes. One of the notable features is the variety of espresso menus. In Korea, we still do not commonly enjoy various types of espresso, so this was the first thing that left a strong impression on me. Another impressive point was that many people visiting the cafe were ordering and enjoying espresso.

In this regard, it can be quite a fresh shock. In Korea, the coffee culture is heavily influenced by the American style, and the culture of drinking espresso has not developed well. The unique approach of Gute Leute in delving into this aspect is impressive.

Moreover, the prices are relatively affordable. A cup of espresso is priced at 2,000 KRW, and an Americano is 2,900 KRW. Compared to Starbucks, where you can have a cup of coffee without feeling burdened, this is quite reasonable.

“You Can Also See Course Menus at the Cafe”

They also offer “course menus,” which are rarely seen in ordinary cafes. There are the Gyeongbokgung Course and the Gute Leute Classic Course, which offer the fun experience of tasting various types of coffee along with various appetizers.

I haven’t tried the course yet, but I’m curious to try it, so it’s a place that makes me want to taste the course menu.

“Trendy Interior”

The interior is also quite trendy. It reflects the tastes of the recent MZ generation very well, and I thought it was a cafe that boasts a vintage yet clean atmosphere. Moreover, you can feel a unique personality in the space, making it suitable for an Instagram-worthy ambiance.

During this visit, I also grabbed a coffee to go for a quick lunch. I had another meeting at the cafe in the evening, and this time, I ordered and tasted an “Affogato.”

Overall, it’s a trendy place with distinctive elements that set it apart from other cafes. It’s a great place to spend time with good people in line with the concept of the cafe.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun Cafe, Gute Leute Gyeongbokgung Branch”

  • Address: 1st Floor, 130 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
  • Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, (Sat-Sun) 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Website: https://guteleute.co.kr