What to look for
Korean cafe culture is researcher-friendly: most places have strong wifi, plentiful outlets, and won't rush you out. Look for 스터디카페 (study cafes) if you need silence — these are library-style spaces where you rent a desk by the hour (~2,000–3,000 KRW/hr).
Near COEX (Samseong · Bongeunsa)
Hollys Coffee — COEX area branches
Various locations around Samseong Station
Korea's largest coffee chain. Reliable wifi, plenty of seating, good for longer sessions. Less crowded than Starbucks during off-peak hours.
Wifi ✓
Outlets ✓
English menu ✓
Starbucks — Starfield COEX Mall
Inside COEX Mall, B1 floor
Familiar, predictable, and right in the venue. Busy during lunch — go early morning or after 3pm to get a seat. Accepts international cards.
Wifi ✓
In-venue
Bongeunsa-ro Street Cafes
5–10 min walk from Bongeunsa Station (Line 9, Exit 7)
A stretch of independent cafes along the street leading to Bongeunsa temple. Quieter than the mall, with a more local feel. Good for a focused hour between sessions.
Quiet
Local vibe
Study Cafes (스터디카페) — Samseong area
Search "스터디카페" on Naver Maps near Samseong Station
Rented desk by the hour. Silence enforced. Individual booths with power outlets. Perfect if you need to write or review a paper seriously. Typically 2,000–3,500 KRW/hr (~$1.5–2.5).
Hourly rental
Silent
Outlets ✓
In Gangnam (10 min by subway)
Mega MGC Coffee
Multiple branches near Gangnam Station
Budget-friendly Korean chain (~1,500 KRW for Americano). Spacious, modern interiors with good seating. Popular with students so outlets are plentiful.
Budget-friendly
Wifi ✓
Outlets ✓
Ediya Coffee
Very common chain throughout Gangnam
Korea's most common coffee chain. Cheap, fast, and always has a few seats. Not glamorous but reliable for a quick working stop.
Budget-friendly
Fast