On our last trip before they returned to their home countries, my friends and I took a trip into Paju. First up was a cafe that had been recommended, Imjongho Cafe, Paju Branch.
From the outside, it looks like an ordinary building set in the countryside, but once you enter, the aroma of coffee hits you. We went around opening, so there were no other guests for a little while.
I ordered a pour-over and canele. The canele was one of the best I’ve had in Korea. I have a funny history with the canele–it was one of the pastries at the last cafe I worked at before moving to Korea, and the first time I tried it, expecting it to be chocolate, I thought it was disgusting. I hated it and couldn’t understand the appeal. A few months later, I had a dream in which I ate one, so the next morning I tried it again and fell in love. The crispy exterior, the rum-flavored custardy interior… If a cafe has a canele, I’m going to order it. This canele was not too crispy on the outside, which is one of the biggest turn-offs for the pastry. There’s nothing worse than having to saw at your canele to open it.
It’s a bit out of the way for most people located in Seoul, but if you find yourself in Paju, it’s a must-visit. I’d love to go back soon!
They’re open from 10 to 8pm everyday.
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Koffee & Kpop 
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