Checking out a Studio Ghibli themed Cafe in Mapo-gu, Seoul

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Ghibli fan; having a deep love of the films, their characters and stories and even starting a mini sewing series based on the Ghibli characters, when I heard there was a Kiki’s Delivery Service themed cafe in Seoul, it flew to the top of my list for my Korea adventure. Koriko Cafe, named after the seaside town where Kiki lives during the film, is located in Yeonnam-dong neighbourhood in Mapo-gu surrounded by quirky boutiques, cute cafes and hidden gems. This two story cafe is a must for anyone who is a Ghibli fan or a lover of unique cafes and luckily, I am both. On a recent trip to Korea, Koriko Cafe was at the top of my list for things I wanted to check out and I was lucky enough to go twice (because can you even get enough cake and tea?).

Getting to Koriko can be done by taking the underground train to Mapo and then walking or if you are pressed for time, a taxi can take you there no problem. It’s worth noting that the cafe is tucked away along some very narrow streets and since Google Maps doesn’t work, be prepared that you might get a little lost if you are walking from the station. Once you get to the cafe, you pass through an entry gate and you will see the cafe in front of you. You will recognise the building immediately as it’s designed to look just like the bakery from the film with a yellow and green facade. The window has a gorgeous display of baked goods and a little Jiji to welcome you in.

Once inside, it feels like you are transported right into the film. The entire cafe, including the upstairs dining area, are decorated with chic cottage-core vibes, vintage stylings and of course, lots of cute references to the film and characters. From a Jiji trapped in the cage, to a sweet little vintage oven, the cafe isn’t overly cluttered but no matter where you choose to sit, you will find the atmosphere to be inviting, cute, calm and perfect for Ghibli fans. It’s worth noting that the cafe also offers outside seating for guests who want to have an alfresco experience and there is even a rooftop seating area for those wishing to see a little more view.

The menu at Koriko Cafe is mainly beverages such as teas, coffee, juices and soft drinks, served alongside desserts and cakes. They don’t offer full meals so don’t come expecting a lunch menu, instead head to Koriko for afternoon tea or a refreshing break along your travels for the day. Some of the cakes and desserts the cafe offers includes two stunning mousse cakes in the shape of Jiji (chocolate) and Lilly (white chocolate), Bundt cakes in flavours such as Chocolate Lotus, Matcha and Lemon Blueberry, and the iconic Jiji Mug cake which is a mug made out of biscuit filled with frangipani cake, cream and fruit in flavours such as apple and green grape. If you want a little more than just a cake, the cafe also offers Dutch babies with various fruit combinations and when I visit Korea next, I will certainly try one because Dutch babies are delicious.
As for drinks, of course a fine selection of teas and coffee’s (the tea comes in a cute cozy covered tea pot!), there were some special soda’s or ades which came in flavours such as cherry and green grape. Most of the drinks come iced and it’s worth noting you can ask for a special Jiji shaped coffee ice cube if you order an iced coffee.

I ordered the Lemon Blueberry bundt cake which was soft but a touch dry. The fruity cream topping was perfect to pull the flavours through the cake and add some moisture to make the experience a little more pleasant. The Jiji mug cake in green grape was one of my favourite menu items; the biscuit mug was crispy and delicious and the inside cake had a great almond flavour so I’d guess it’s either frangipani cake or has almond meal in it. The huge chunks of fresh green grape were perfect to bring some freshness to the cake and the cream and touch of fruit syrup brought the whole thing together.

The cafe is really bright so it’s perfect for taking photos and depending on when you go, it shouldn’t be too crowded so you shouldn’t have to disturb others to get the photos you want. I would recommend taking the stairs up to the rooftop which you can access from the second floor alfresco area but note it might be closed due to weather.

Koriko also has a lovely little gift shop where you can find all sorts of wonderful Kiki and Ghibli themed souvenirs, items and trinkets. I personally got some socks but was tempted by several other items which took a lot of willpower to leave behind. The prices for both the food and souvenirs is pretty reasonable as far as Ghibli merchandise goes but the selection is a little limited.

Visiting Koriko Cafe in Seoul was a lovely experience and one that was a highlight of the trip. Having never visited Japan, this was a great way to have a Ghibli themed experience without having to go to Japan just yet. I found the cafe cute, the atmosphere relaxing and calm, the desserts and cakes delicious with a great selection and I would certainly recommend a visit if you are able to. As a huge Ghibli fan and of course, a fan of Kiki’s Delivery Service, this cafe made me feel like I was in a Ghibli film myself and I’m so happy and grateful to have visited.

Address: 223-96 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm

Note: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions and thoughts expressed are solely my own and not influenced in any way. There are no affiliate links and I do not benefit from any link clicks or purchases made.