Without a doubt, those who have been to Berlin would be pleasantly surprised at certain familiarity. In fact, the only thing that’s no-Berlin about this café is that it’s located in one of Seoul’s oldest district, Seochon. From plain white walls, wide windows and unpretentious decoration all the way to the smallest details like exposed beams, mk2 is a great place to feel the Berlin vibe. The owner, Lee Jong-myong, who resided in Germany for 10 years as a photographer and vintage furniture collector, created the café as a showroom for his vintage collection up for sale. A framed Bauhaus exhibition poster hangs on a wall, showing Lee’s passion and love for their gracefully designed furniture. On another wall is a line mural done by artist Kim Soo-young titled “Walldrawing for mk2.” Having opened its doors in 2008, mk2 remains a popular destination for artists, designers and tourists alike. If you enjoy Seochon for its slow vibe that contrasts many other areas of the city, you might want to visit the café at early afternoon on a weekday. It won’t be as crowded as it usually is on weekends, and you’ll be able to enjoy the sunlight penetrating through the wide windows. In the back, there’s a small cave like room which caters a shelf full of art books and magazines.
mk2 offers a nice selection of menu as well, including coffee, juice, wine, beer, sandwiches, cakes and other desserts. I recommend trying the carrot cake and grapefruit tart (which the café is famous for), as well as the affogato which is served in a cute mug.