Café Comma

Passing by the Hongik University Station on the main road leading to Yeonnam-dong, you can see through the glass window a crowd of people focused on reading. The scene they create is always noticeably contrasted with the bustling atmosphere of the street, as if a separate planet. With the grand scale bookshelves containing more than 5,000 books, being inside this place will make you feel like you’re in a great library you might have been missing in your daily life. While it is certainly pleasurable to take a seat on the first floor where you can feel the sunshine coming through the glass window, the space on the second floor provides a cozy attic-like atmosphere. Except for the new arrivals, you can purchase any book displayed here at a half price discount. Just like a neighborhood library, Café Comma welcomes anyone who would come in to take a look at its books—there’s no pressure to purchase a drink in order to enjoy the literary pleasures here. Another upside is that it opens at 7:30 a.m. With its focus on books, you may not expect a lot in terms of its café menu, but the coffee here is actually quite good. Its “best-seller dessert,” the “Grandma Style Tiramisu,” is also recommended, while there are a few types of bottled beers as well. If there’s a book you’ve wanted to finish, Café Comma’ will provide you the motivation and atmosphere for you to finally get in the zone.