D's Café Column Food & Drink Uncategorized

D’s Café Column: This March, Let Me Take You to My Favorite Café

Gwangju News

By Dhivyaa S. P.

As the cold slowly drifts away and the trees begin to wake, March always feels like a rebirth to me.

This March, I find myself thinking about a café my friend introduced me to last year, also in March. Located by the intersection near the Buk-gu Office, this café quickly became special to me for more than just its coffee.

We visited it on our favorite K-pop artist’s birthday. And that alone made the experience unforgettable. Why?! Because the music played in this café is entirely based on customer playlist requests. Yes, customers choose the music. It was my first time ever being in a café like that, and it instantly won my heart.

A little about the space itself. High stools lined the counter, while tables comfortably seated groups of two to six. There were plants everywhere, real ones, and each table had a small, cute flower bouquet. The lighting was warm, and the wooden interior gave the place a cozy, calm atmosphere that made you want to stay longer.

They have signature coffee options that are a must-try. However, I was deep in my matcha era back then, so that is what I ordered. But after just one sip of their signature coffee, I had to order it anyway, on top of my matcha. Needless to say, since we visited in the evening, sleep was not an option that night.

Frank Coffee, the café’s signature drink, is a latte-based coffee topped with a layer of cream. Simple, rich, and comforting.

My favorite part, though, was choosing our own playlist. You can pick up a playlist request sheet, or simply ask the staff if you can’t find one. You write down three songs and hand it in at the counter while placing your order.

Since we were there to celebrate our favorite artist’s birthday, our song choices reflected exactly that. However, one song I requested was from an older album, and the staff played the newer album version instead. I guess being specific really matters.

Overall, it was a day well spent.

Ending this with a simple wish. Happy birthday to my favorite artist!!!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the name. Though I am sure many of you already know it. The café is Frank Coffin Bar. They have a lot of locations; however, I visited the branch below.

Frank Coffin Bar (Yongbong Branch)

The Author

Dhivyaa is drawn to Korea’s café culture, often finding comfort in quiet corners where she can reflect, observe, or simply get lost in her research over a warm drink.

Cover Photo: Entrance to Frank Coffin Bar. (Dhivyaa S. P.)