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
-
Dutch Design Awards 2025 honour a new generation of creativesRecognising the use of AI as a design tool, social commentary, and new materials, this year’s Dutch Design Awards go to Vera van der Burg; Willem de Haan; and Marten van Middelkoop and Joost Dingemans of Plasticiet
-
The return of Genghis Cohen: LA’s cult Chinese diner lives onThe 1980s Chinese-American landmark returns with red booths, neon nostalgia, and a fresh dose of Hollywood eccentricity
-
A monumental exhibition of French design revives the spirit of art deco for contemporary timesThe Galerie des Gobelins hosts the inaugural Salon des Nouveaux Ensembliers, a contemporary movement inspired by art deco’s grand traditions
-
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
-
Seoul is Best City of 2024Seoul’s unique mix of culture, art and style goes global, thanks to an unstoppable new wave of dynamic creatives. Discover the Wallpaper* Design Awards’ Best City
-
JW Marriott Jeju is a sleek island beautyJW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa launches, marking the hospitality brand's first resort in South Korea’s largest Island
