Food, TravelFlorence LJanuary 29, 2024Mooni ApgujeongSeoul, Apgujeong, Cafe

MOONI CAFE APGUJEONG || This Seoul Cafe Is the Epitome of Cuteness with Its Teddy Bear Lattes and Large Ribbon Decorations

Food, TravelFlorence LJanuary 29, 2024Mooni ApgujeongSeoul, Apgujeong, Cafe

A thick pair of leggings, wool pants over top, a warm heat tech undershirt from Uniqlo, a sweater, a light jacket, and finally, an overcoat—now we were prepared to head out into the -7 winter morning.

I remembered the dry, biting cold from the last time I was in Seoul in winter. You know when you can feel your skin crack from the dryness? At least it is sunny, we thought, as we climbed into a taxi at our hotel.

After showing the driver our map of where we wanted to go in Apgujeong, we sat back to stare out at the wide streets of MyeongDong before zoning out. Our driver soon started navigating tight alleyways, where the side mirrors were dangerously close to the wall. We stopped in front of a small bakery cafe and hopped out. It was our day for cafe hopping because I had spent many hours scrolling through social media to pick out cafes I wanted to try, Mooni Cafe being one of them.

*Cobblestone walkway leading to the entrance and the elegant facade finished with a big black bow over the outdoor seating area establishes the vibe of this feminine cafe.*

*The pastries are displayed on rustic tables and cabinets.*

What drew me to Mooni Cafe was the unapologetically cute princess vibe portrayed by the Villa-like building exterior. A big black bow hung over the outdoor seating area on the first floor, which shows up again over a Portico on the fourth-floor terrace.

The first floor is filled with rustic furnishings: wooden cabinets, tables, drawers and shelves. Freshly baked pastries are laid on the tables and shelves for guests to choose from. An atrium gathers natural light, which spills across the three floors of the building, creating a bright and inviting space.

I ordered the signature Teddy Bear Latte, in which a group of Graham Cracker teddy bears swim in frothy whipped cream. Did I get it for the gram? You bet I did.

After we gathered our order, we headed up to the third floor, separated into various seating areas: an open room like a greenhouse with a glass ceiling perfect for photos, a dimly lit room with cozy furnishings for intimate conversations, and tables by the atrium.

*Mooni is known for its Teddy Bear Latte.*

You might be wondering why I haven’t talked about the food. Was it good? I’ve found that most cafes we visited during our Seoul trip had an immaculate presentation that made it ideal for content creators to share on social media. Still, as with everything, there’s room to improve the taste and texture. This observation is from my visits to the more popular cafes I saw on social media and may not be applicable across all cafes.

I can speak to my items, including croissants and mochi bun. The mochi bun was nice and fluffy; the mochi inside was light and chewy. The best way to see if a bakery’s pastries are good is to try the most basic item—a croissant. I realize some people like their croissants soft and fluffy, but I prefer mine to be crispy and flaky and smell richly of butter. This one fell a bit short in my frame of what makes a tasty croissant as it didn’t have a rich buttery scent and was a bit too dry for my liking.

*The staircase are slightly different on each floor but retains the earthy tones.*

After finishing our drinks and snacks, we went to the outdoor terrace to snap some photos. The cafe has its merits, with lots of photo-worthy spots. If this is what you want to experience, a spot with a great ambiance, Mooni Cafe should be on your list. If you are more invested in the taste and love pastries, try other cafes in the neighbourhood. My friend also shopped for cute candles and small objects available on the first floor before we left, so additional items aside from food and drink may catch your eye.

As we stepped back into the cold, wintry morning, we looked forward to a day of shopping and relaxation in one of Seoul’s more fashionable districts. It won’t be long before we tire ourselves from carrying our shopping bags and searching for another cafe to take a much-needed coffee break. On to the next!