Sim Coffee House — Restaurant in Seoul

Tucked away from the main thoroughfare in the back streets of Sogong-ro, amongst the various hostels and the imposing Nansam tower, is Sim Coffee Jip. This small coffee shop, with the bright yellow exterior and even more interesting interior, beckons you to come in. It's loud, it's bright, and it says “I am here.” The moment you walk in, you are greeted by the shop owner with an inviting smile. Once you are settled, the owner determines the type of coffee you would like by asking a few questions. Essentially, the coffee is tailor-made to your taste and style. Another thing that you won’t find in any other coffee shop is that your coffee is made by a master who has spent 30 years of his life perfecting his craft. You’re not there for just a cup or two of coffee, you’re there for a lesson in how to extract the best essence from the roasted coffee beans using hand drip method and temperature control. I had the chance to try his strongest espresso-style coffee, Poison of a Saturday Afternoon, and it was an incredibly strong yet maintaining a smooth body. I expected a drink this strong to be overly bitter, but it was not. I also had another hand-dripped coffee, which the name escapes me at the moment, but I remember the unique earthy smell from the beans after they were grounded. The beans were a lightly roasted compared to beans from the previous drink. This was a unique and unforgettable experience, and I’ll be going back there again the next time...

Mr Sim’s hand drip coffee shop was by far the best coffee find of our trip. We visited in the early part of Jan ‘25 and were some of the first few customers for the year. From the moment we saw the shop’s exterior to the lingering moments after we left, we were filled with such excitement and comfort. The space was adorned with so many beautiful cups and wares. Mr Sim himself was kind and gentle, asking us about our coffee preference and sharing the tasting notes and profiles with us through a mobile translator. We could really tell that Mr Sim loves his job and were inspired by his deep passion for coffee. He shared that he loves meeting people from all over the world and sharing the joy of coffee. We loved our experience so much that we brought our friends back to visit the next day. It really was an absolute...

This coffee shop was a highlight of our Seoul itinerary, and from the moment we stepped inside until the last sip, we were enchanted. We even skipped our next stop to savor the experience!

The owner, with 50 years of expertise, and their apprentice (a former air force member) crafted two exceptional coffees using distinct techniques, paired with unique espresso variants. The flavors and textures were top notch.

While I’ve enjoyed many great coffees, this place stands above them all. It’s not just a 5-star experience—it’s a perfect 10/10. I’ll recommend this gem to anyone seeking the best coffee...