Ireulli Cafe in Jeonju
Those who have dreamt about experiencing the tranquillity of traditional Korea will know of traditional Korean houses, or hanok. These are the wooden buildings we commonly see in historical K-dramas. At Ireulli Cafe, you can rejuvenate your soul in settings that feel hand-plucked right from the past, whilst enjoying your favourite cafe treats.
Traditional Korean house with a modern twist
Image adapted from: 깐이 via Naver
Ireulli Cafe’s decor stays true to hanok architecture and design philosophies, whilst seamlessly blending in modern comforts and aesthetics that’s sure to glam up your social media feed.
Image adapted from: 으니 via Naver
From the tiled roofs to the wooden flooring and walls, Ireulli Cafe stands out amongst the cityscape it’s in, as though time had stopped in this area since the Joseon dynasty.
Image credit: 말할수없는비밀 via Naver
They even have a wooden floor hall (대청마루; daecheong maru) that’s sure to make you feel like you’re starring in your own palace drama while you enjoy your tea.
Image adapted from: 헤쯔 via Naver
Right smack in the middle of the cafe’s grounds stands a majestic wooden pavilion that serves beautiful views and makes the historical vibes of the location feel even more authentic.
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The view from the pavilion’s upper floor is a one-of-a-kind, perfect backdrop to pair with your desserts and relaxation plans.
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Ireulli also has 2 aesthetic photo-taking spots. The first is framed with an ethereally coloured autumn-themed tree straight out of a fantasy novel.
The other is a more simplistic and natural backdrop, where the plants are more topped with pretty pink flowers for all-year-round spring vibes.
Image credit: 깐이 via Naver
With decor as intricate and beautiful as this, it’s impossible to take a bad photo here.
Each room & space exudes a different vibe
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With the hanok decor comes immaculate traditional-styled rooms and settings for guests to enjoy. The aforementioned pavilion has 2 floors, each with its own wooden flooring.
Image adapted from: 루체1218 via Naver
There’s also a smaller outdoor pavilion for those who prefer to relax while surrounded by nature.
Image adapted from: 깐이 via Naver
Ireulli Cafe also offers Korean floor-seating arrangements, housed in booths next to wall-length windows so that the beauty of their outdoor gardens are still accessible to their indoor guests.
Image adapted from: 루체1218 via Naver
For those who want an even more traditional Korean experience, Ireulli Cafe also has indoor floor-seating areas that are even more traditional-looking, complete with paper sliding doors.
Image adapted from: Daisy via Naver
Take note that shoes have to be taken off before entering.
Image adapted from: 깐이 via Naver
Lastly, modern seating arrangements are available for those who prefer seats with backrests.
Image adapted from: 깐이 via Naver
Each set-up comes with its own vibes and aesthetics that provide a unique experience, so Ireulli Cafe is definitely worth more than a single visit.
Ever-changing seasonal scenery
Image adapted from: 물주먹 via Naver
As Ireulli Cafe integrates nature into their decor, seasonal changes have an effect on how the cafe looks. As a result, every season at Ireulli Cafe carries its own unique vibes that make the place feel new.
Image credit: 나츠 via Naver
From spring to winter, the leaves on the tree follow their natural course of life. That means you can expect to see beautiful cherry blossoms in all their pink glory in spring too.
Image adapted from: bellejin1028 via Naver
The outdoors are awash in fresh, vibrant green in summer.
Image credit: 말할수없는비밀 via Naver
And in autumn, red leaves give the cafe a subtle, sunset-like glow.
Image adapted from: 엠 와이 via Naver
In winter, the bare branches of the trees give off a whole other vibe too.
Fruits ades & traditional Korean desserts
Image credit: @kim.delay.92 via Instagram
Known for their wide selection of fruit ade and traditional Korean desserts, we highly encourage you to try the Mango Passionfruit Ade (KRW8,500, ~USD6.34) and traditional Korean rice cakes (KRW4,500, ~USD3.36), which come in 2 pieces. The rice cakes come in 2 flavours, including vanilla and banana.
Coffeeholics, we’ve got your back. Ireulli Cafe offers a wide selection of coffee beverages, from Iced Americano (KRW6,500, ~USD4.85) to Coconut Cafe Latte (KRW8,500, ~USD6.34).
Getting to Ireulli Cafe
Ireulli Cafe is located in Jeonju’s Hanok Village. As it is not particularly close to any bus stops or subway stations, private modes of transport are recommended.
Address: 69 Gyo-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm | Sat-Sun 9am-10pm
Contact: 063-231-1528
Note that the last order must be made 30 minutes before closing time.
For those interested in visiting hanok-themed cafes, you can check out this unique Baskin Robbins store located in Samcheong-dong as well as the Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon. Additionally, Soyang Hanok Tirol is another great option where you can paddle around on a boat within the cafe. If you want a glimpse into Korea’s past not only through architecture, but also cultural means, you can unwind with these historical Korean dramas.
Cover image adapted from: 으니 via Naver, 깐이 via Naver, 깐이 via Naver