In short
Respirer Bakery Cafe (레스피레베이커리카페) is a two-story bakery cafe in Seochon, about a 13-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3. Its signature salt bread is ₩3,000 (about $2.10), and it opens 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 19:00 on weekends. Good for a slow coffee break between palace visits, or anyone who likes simple, not-too-salty bread in a sunny room.
Seochon, the old neighborhood on the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is full of narrow lanes and small cafes. On a weekend afternoon a friend and I went to Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon for coffee and bread.
The name comes from the French for “to breathe,” and the cafe calls itself a space for resting. Here is what we ordered, what it costs now, and a few things to know before you walk over.
Quick facts
- Korean name레스피레베이커리카페 서촌 (Respirer Bakery Cafe, Seochon)
- Address40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 효자로13길 40-7 레스피레 - SubwayGyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역, Line 3), Exit 3, about 865 m (13-minute walk)
- HoursMon–Fri 08:30–18:00 (last order 17:30); Sat–Sun 09:00–19:00 (last order 18:30)
- PriceSalt bread ₩3,000; coffee ₩5,500–8,000; brunch plates ₩9,000–19,500
- Good forA coffee and bread break, catching up with a friend, reading alone by a window
- Phone0507-1345-0473
- NotesNo parking (nearest: Singyo Public Parking, 260 m). Takeout, reservations, group seating, Wi-Fi, terrace. Pets allowed.
- MapOpen in Naver Map
Finding it
Respirer sits in the quiet top end of Seochon, close to Cheong Wa Dae. We followed the map and got there on the first try without any wrong turns. The white wooden building with a cream awning and a big “Respirer Bakery Cafe” sign is easy to spot once you are on the right lane.
From Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3, the cafe’s own directions say to walk about 7 minutes toward the Kyunghee clinic building, turn into the alley at the 7-Eleven, and keep to the lane on the left side of the Cheong Wa Dae parking lot. The whole walk takes around 13 minutes. If you would rather ride, buses 1711, 7018, 7022 and 1020 stop in front of the LG building near Exit 3; get off at Hyoja-dong (효자동) and walk about 5 minutes.
📍 Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon (레스피레베이커리카페 서촌), 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps
Inside: bread smell and a sunny second floor
The moment we opened the door, the warm, nutty smell of baking bread hit us. It seemed like they were baking batches throughout the day. Honestly, that smell alone made me glad we came in, and when I choose a bakery, that first impression counts for a lot.
The cafe says its dough rests for 12 hours at a low temperature and is baked every morning for same-day sale. The bread sits on wooden shelves with handwritten cards, and the tongs hang right by the racks.
The building looks like a converted house, with warm wood tones throughout. It goes up to a second floor, so there is more room than you would expect from outside. My favorite part was upstairs: sunlight pours in, and sitting by the window you really feel the slow, easy pace of Seochon. Most of the photogenic seats are up there too.
The tables are not crammed together, so it is comfortable for a long chat with a friend. It would also suit someone coming alone with a book.
What we ordered
We picked an iced americano, a salt bread and a basil ciabatta. I also wanted to try the French toast, but on a weekend afternoon it was already sold out.
1. Iced americano (아이스 아메리카노, aiseu amerikano)
The coffee won me over first. Bakeries sometimes serve forgettable coffee, but this americano was good enough to enjoy on its own. Naver describes the beans as nutty, like almond and cashew, with a chocolatey note.
2. Salt bread (소금빵, sogeum-ppang)
Salt bread is a buttery roll baked with a sprinkle of coarse salt on top, and it is the house signature here. The cafe says it is made with plenty of French gourmet butter. Respirer gets the basics right. The nutty smell that greeted us at the door carried straight into the taste, and it was not too salty, so it was easy to eat.
3. Basil ciabatta (바질 치아바타, bajil chiabata)
This was the surprise. I picked it without much expectation, but the basil comes through gently instead of overpowering everything. The chewy ciabatta and its creamy filling blend naturally with the basil, and the flavor feels refined without being heavy. It stayed with me longer than the salt bread did, and my friend kept reaching for it too.
Ordering both works well: you can switch between the plain, buttery salt bread and the herby ciabatta, which keeps each bite interesting.
Menu and prices
*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are from Naver Place (menu updated October 2026), except the cookie salt bread, which comes from the shelf card in my August photo. The basil ciabatta is not listed on Naver, so check the card on the shelf. Prices can change.
Tips for visitors
- Go in the morning for the French toast. Popular items seem to run out by weekend afternoon, and seats are probably easier earlier too.
- Head upstairs. The second floor gets the best light and the nicest window seats.
- Don’t drive if you can avoid it. The lot in front is not for customers. Singyo Public Parking is about 260 m away.
- Ordering phrase: “Sogeum-ppang hana, aiseu amerikano hana juseyo” (소금빵 하나, 아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요) means “One salt bread and one iced americano, please.”
- Pair it with a walk. It is a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace, so it fits nicely into a palace and Seochon afternoon.
- Dogs are welcome. Naver lists the cafe as pet-friendly, and there is a terrace.
My verdict
Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon is the kind of place I would recommend to anyone whose mood lifts at the smell of fresh bread. The salt bread is reliable, the americano is better than it needs to be, and the basil ciabatta was the quiet star. Add a bright second floor where you can sit for a long time, and it is an easy pick in Seochon. There are lots of breads to choose from, so it is also fun with a few people sharing. My only regret is missing the French toast, so next time I am going early to order it.
Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon FAQ
Where is Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon and how do I get there?
Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon is at 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, in the quiet northern part of Seochon just below Cheong Wa Dae. From Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) it is about 865 m, roughly a 13-minute walk. You can also take bus 1711, 7018, 7022 or 1020 to the Hyoja-dong stop and walk about 5 minutes.
What are the opening hours of Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?
Naver lists Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon as open 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays (last order 17:30) and 09:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays and Sundays (last order 18:30). The cafe says bread and brunch are ready from 9:00.
What should I order at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?
The salt bread is the house signature at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon and costs ₩3,000. I would pair it with the basil ciabatta, which ended up being our favorite, and an americano (₩5,500). If you come early, the French toast (₩17,500) is the brunch dish people try to catch.
Is there parking at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?
Naver says Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon has no parking of its own, and the lot right in front of the building belongs to the Presidential Security Service, so customers cannot use it. The nearest alternative is Singyo Public Parking at 89 Jahamun-ro, about 260 m away. Public transport is easier.
Does the French toast sell out at Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon?
It did for us. We visited Respirer Bakery Cafe Seochon on a weekend afternoon and the French toast was already sold out. If it is the main reason you are going, aim for the morning, when seating is also likely to be easier.
Exploring more of Jongno? Try Namaste in Dongmyo for Indian curry near the flea market. See all Seoul restaurant guides.
More places nearby
Visited: August 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 23, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.
This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.