Are you an animal lover? Or do you have a pet from back home, but you wish he or she was with you right now? Well, let me introduce to you the perfect heaven for animal lovers in Seoul where you can pet kitties and play with puppies in a relaxed and cozy environment—animal cafes.
The concept of animal café started in Asia. As you may know, many people were unable to have pets due to the rules and regulations of the apartments they lived in. Therefore, to satisfy the unmet need of animal lovers, in 1998, the world’s first cat café, “Cat Flower Garden” (貓花園), opened in Taiwan. This concept was expanded to Japan in 2005, then to the rest of Asia, and onward to the rest of the world. [1]
World’s first cat café, opened in Taiwan in 1998. Address: No. 129, Fuhua Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 (Image source: http://2.share.photo.xuite.net/chin119/1251bde/18631798/1019269224_l.jpg)
If you walk around Seoul, it is inevitable for you to find cat and dog cafes.
- Dogcafe Bauhouse (애견카페 바우하우스)
The first one is the infamous Dogcafe Bauhouse located in Hongdae (홍대). This place has no entrance fee, but you must buy a drink to spend half an hour with the dogs. For every additional 30 minutes, you will be charged 1,500 Won. The drinks are pricier than what you would get at a normal café, but hey…you get to play with dogs at your heart’s content. There is quite a variety of dogs in this café, so whether you want to cuddle with puppies or have fun with big grown up dogs, there is for sure one that you will like.
(Image source: https://www.facebook.com/bau5152/photos/a.524861150859849.125118.523109484368349/1211958305483460/?type=3&theater)
Fun fact: You can bring your own dog, so if you have a puppy, please bring him or her with you next time to this place to make new friends.
Picture of inside the Bau House Café. (Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9OuRLR_RgU/VGdsqj4_1pI/AAAAAAAADqg/Gv7F72L_lrY/s1600/P4093617.JPG)
Address: 405-13 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울시 마포구 서교동 405-13)
Closest Subway: Hapjeong Station (합정역) , exit 3
Opening Hours: 13:30-23:00 on weekdays, 12:30-23:00 on weekends and holidays
Phone Number: +82 02-334-5152
- Cat Café Goyangi Noriteo
If you find yourself shopping around Myeongdong (명동), head over to this café, as it is a great place to relax. For 9,000 Won, you get to play with over 20 different kittens in a quiet and clean environment. There is an entrance fee of 9,000 Won and you get one beverage. The café staff will have you put your bags and belongings in plastics bags so that they don’t get touched and rumbled by the kittens. With that, you can stay in this café as long as you want. You can also buy some food to feed the kittens. [2]
(Image source: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/09/6d/55/cat-cafe-goyangi-noriteo.jpg)
Address: 3F, 37-14, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04536, South Korea (서울시 중구 명동8길 37-14 3층)
Closest Subway: Myeongdong Station (명동역), exit 6
Opening Hours: 13:00-22:00 everyday
Phone Number: +82 2-3789-2207
If you are neither a dog or a cat person, but still want to see some animals, let me introduce you to some other unique cafes.
- Blind Alley
The first one is Blind Alley, the one and only raccoon café, located near Sookmyung Woman’s University (숙명여자대학교). There are three very cute raccoons in this café. In case you are worried about the idea of combining raccoons with food and drinks, they are separated into two rooms. Therefore, do not worry and go have a close look at the little creatures. It is said that raccoons sleep a lot, so you do have to be a little patient to find the right time when they are active. In addition, the entrance fee for seeing and playing with the raccoons is 6,000 Won. The drinks are around 5,000-6,5000 Won. [3]
Pictures of customers interacting with the raccoons. (Image source: http://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/110443/animal-cafe-raccoon-seoul-south-korea#slide-10)
Pictures of customers interacting with the raccoons. (Image source: http://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/110443/animal-cafe-raccoon-seoul-south-korea#slide-10)
(Image source: http://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/110443/animal-cafe-raccoon-seoul-south-korea#slide-10))
Address: 63-20 Cheongpa-dong2ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310, South Korea (서울시 용산구 청파동2가 63-20)
Closest Subway: Sookmyung Woman’s University Station (숙대입구역) , exit 10
Opening Hours: 9:30-22:00 everyday
Phone Number: +82 2-701-6075
- Thanks Nature Café (땡스 네이쳐 카페)
The second one is a one of a kind sheep café located in Hongdae. Thanks Nature café got its fame after being aired on TV for MBC’s “We Got Married” where Super Junior Leeteuk (슈퍼주니어 이특) and Korean actress Kang Sora (강소라) visited this café together. [4] There are usually two sheep located in the outdoor area behind a fence, and you can feed them if you get permission from the owner. As for the menu, there is quite a variety to choose from; coffee, tea, drinks, and even waffle. Therefore, the next time you are in Hongdae, don’t forget to pass by this cute and unique café!
(Image source: https://gate20.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/thanks-nature-sheep-cafe-hongdae-seoul-korea-15.jpg)
(Image source: https://gate20.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/thanks-nature-sheep-cafe-hongdae-seoul-korea-06.jpg)
Guests playing with the sheeps. (Image source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/- b44UfAoPTkk/VUFcBSUPPMI/AAAAAAAAAVU/LEbgnmH0ep8/s1600/thanks%2Bnature%2Bcafe%2Bseoul.jpg)
Address: 486 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울시 마포구 서교동 486)
Closest Subway: Hongik Station (홍대입구역) , exit 9
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 everyday
Phone Number: +82-2-335-7470
Sources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_café
[2] https://en.tripadvisor.com.hk/ShowUserReviews-g294197-d7149661-r459506633-Cat_Cafe_Goyangi_Noriteo-Seoul.html
[3] https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294197-d9601891-Reviews-Blind_Alley-Seoul.html
[4] https://www.trazy.com/spot/453/thanks-nature-cafe-땡스-네이쳐-카페-restaurant-café
Article by Ruby from Canada
myHUBS 
This is amazing! Sooo Love it wished I could visit one some day. Give a pet and love for me.