Air Cafe (airplane cafe), Hapjeong/Hongdae

I am a self-confessed freak when it comes to themed cafes. I simply adore them. I love analysing the concepts behind their interior designs, I love oohing and aahing over the decor, and I absolutely love that feeling of escaping the humdrum of the regular world to be surrounded by a completely different atmosphere, even if it's only temporarily.

For that reason, I was super excited when I stumbled upon a few different blog entries (such as this one) about a place called "Air Cafe" in Hapjeong. According to the posts, the Air Cafe was an airplane themed place that served food set out like airplane meals, and you could sample different meals from different countries. The pictures showed the food all nicely laid out, as well as a ton of adorable decor that made it feel like you were in an airplane. Also, there were nifty little extras such as a menu shaped like an airplane ticket, with the ticket stub serving as your receipt that you could keep as a cute little souvenir. My themed cafe fetish was instantly aroused, and I decided that I simply had to check out the place. So, off to Hapjeong I went.

Air Cafe tucked away on level 3

50% discount if you get your drinks to go >:D

Awesome elevator decorations

Unfortunately though, the cafe didn't turn out to be like how I'd expected. Yes, the place still had the same theme, with the same layout, and the same gorgeous decorations..

But very much to my disappointment, the menu had changed -- both form and content-wise. Now it was no longer a plane ticket, but an arrival card. (Needless to say, there was nothing you could tear off and take back home with you. Sadface. T__T) Also, there didn't seem to be any airplane style meals, only drinks and a few snacks.

Arrival card menu

Kaya toast (4,000 won) & strawberry juice (5,800 won) 

Because I hadn't eaten lunch that day, I was really looking forward to eating there, so perhaps the disappointment hit harder than it would have under normal, non-hangry circumstances.

I definitely would still recommend this place if you're looking for somewhere nice to kick back and relax while you sip on a latte (or beer.. they do have alcomohol there). The decorations and little trinkets around the place make for a lovely environment to chill out in.. but, if you're hungry, it might be better to fill up somewhere else first before you go.

Air Cafe, Hapjeong
Hours: 11am - 11pm
Address: 서울시 마포구 서교동 404-19 갈물빌딩3층 (3rd floor Kalmul Building, 404-19 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Website: http://blog.naver.com/the_air_cafe
Directions: From Hapjeong Station exit 3, take the first right and continue straight down until you can't go any further. The Air Cafe will be in front of you.