SLOWBOAT Atelier — Restaurant in Jeju

Jeju island's "Camera Obscura"

Slowboat has all the attractions of Jeju in one dramatic open plan cafe. Enjoy drip coffee in the quaint seaside village of Aewol while gazing out on uninterrupted views of the rocky northern coastline, ever changing sunsets and traditional Korean bungalows located on all sides of the building.

The project, initially started by photographer Kim Han-joon (김한준) in 2015 was eventually realised in April 2018 after three years of drawing concepts and construction. Designed as a workshop residence the impressive mezzanine interior now houses a cafe and ground floor photo exhibition. The team behind the design at Slowboat come from Jeju firm “A Root Architecture” (에이쿠트 건축 사무소) who combined local touches, like the ground floor loose stone wall, with modern lounge furniture, exposed concrete walls and a 9m pitched roof.

One of the most interesting features of the building is the window in the second storey sitting room or “office” area. The frame capturing the view outside is in fact designed to resemble the dimensions of the legendary Hasselblad XPan camera lens complete with a “view finder” window in the top left. Another carefully chosen window feature is the attic skylight on the west wall which captures the natural light as the clouds move overhead.

All of Slowboat's coffees are served hand drip Hario V60 with two house blends and a rotational guest single origin. At the time of visiting these included:

1. Atelier House Blend (Brazil Yellow Bourbon, Columbia, Kenya AA, Guatemala)

2. Slowboat Dark Blend (India Monsooned Natural, Guatemala, Kenya AA, Columbia)

3. Single Bean (supplied at the time of visiting by Aewol local roastery "Jeremy" - Caffeine...

Food: 5/5 Over 2 days, I'm fortunate to try both coffee blends. The Slowboat Dark Blend is relatively more rich in flavor since it's roasted coffee, and although there seems to be a lot of ice cubes for the cold drink, it's exactly just enough to keep the drink cool without compromising the flavour. Atelier House Blend is relatively more mild in flavour, but has a slight enough tone of coffee flavour to make it taste phenomenal.

Service: 5/5 Both of the employees speak English and Korean, the menu also had Chinese, so I suggest pointing to them on the counter if you don't know either. They were also very kind and always reminded new visitors to keep quiet and don't disturb the other visitors in the coffee store. When visiting again the next day, they also recognized us and greeted us with another warm welcome.

Atmosphere: 5/5 For indoors, you have a warm lighting mixed with a quiet atmosphere, while you can view the seaside from the windows. Outdoors, there are balcony areas that allows you to enjoy your coffee while feeling the breeze...

Review of SLOWBOAT Atelier: A Charming Seaside Coffee Retreat

SLOWBOAT Atelier in Jeju is an enchanting coffee shop that offers a stunning sea view, making it a perfect spot for those looking to unwind. The atmosphere is intimate, with limited seating that adds to the cozy vibe of the place.

Upon arrival, you’ll find ample parking for cars, followed by a short, pleasant walk to the café, which enhances the overall experience. The interior is beautifully designed, featuring a harmonious blend of concrete and wood that creates a modern yet warm ambiance.

The walls are adorned with shelves filled with books and photographs, presumably captured by the owner, which add a personal touch and invite guests to explore the artistic side of the café. The thoughtful decor, combined with the soft lighting, makes it a welcoming space to relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Overall, SLOWBOAT Atelier is a beautiful retreat that combines great coffee with a stunning setting. If you’re in Jeju, this intimate café is definitely...