Kafe Nordic — Seoul, South Korea
Located in a quiet residential area of the Korean capital is the bright yellow house-shaped Kafé Nordic. The garden-level coffee shop, by local firm Nordic Bros Design Community, has transformed the neighbourhood and drawn people from the nearby Comme Des Garçons flagship. The Scandi-yellow exterior was chosen to energise the peaceful residential area. Inside are vividly coloured furnishings in different shapes and scales by Emeco, Flötotto, Hay, Ton and Yong-Hwan Shin - plus witty lighting by Ingo Maurer and Lune du Matin. Equally rigorous is the black and white geometric patterned wallpaper, which extends down to cover portions of the wood floor. In fact the floor combines a fascinating combination of 27 patterns, the result of a collaboration between designer Patricia Urquiola and Mutina. The wall-mounted menu promises homemade sandwiches, coffee and tea.
ADDRESS
683-46 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
The international design fairs shaping 2026Passports at the ready as Wallpaper* maps out the year’s best design fairs, from established fixtures to new arrivals.
-
The eight hotly awaited art-venue openings we are most looking forward to in 2026With major new institutions gearing up to open their doors, it is set to be a big year in the art world. Here is what to look out for
-
This modern Clapham house is nestled indulgently in its gardenA Clapham house keeps a low profile in south London, at once merging with its environment and making a bold, modern statement; we revisit a story from the Wallpaper* archives
-
The Wallpaper* team’s travel highlights of the yearA year of travel distilled. Discover the destinations that inspired our editors on and off assignment
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026: City of the Year shortlistExplore the nominated urban locations making an impact in design, architecture and contemporary culture
-
Seoul welcomes the world’s first MoMA BookstoreManhattan’s cultural heavyweight opens its first dedicated bookstore – in Seoul, in partnership with Hyundai Card
-
Tour the best contemporary tea houses around the worldCelebrate the world’s most unique tea houses, from Melbourne to Stockholm, with a new book by Wallpaper’s Léa Teuscher
-
Korean Air reveals sleek rebrand in first overhaul since 1984Korean Air’s new identity sheds excess detail to create a bold, minimalist identity fit for its global ambition
-
Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy designThere’s more magic to the movies at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s ‘flying’ roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
-
The coolest design-led coffee shops in SeoulSeoul counts more coffee shops per capita than any other city in the world – cut straight to our ten must-visit spots
-
Oneworld unveils first-ever branded lounge in Seoul Incheon AirportA new Oneworld futuristic lounge opens in Seoul as the airline alliance gears up for its 25th anniversary