943 King’s Cross Cafe
One thing that many visitors to Korea notice is the abundance of themed cafes everywhere. Like, no joke. Every corner you turn you’ll see cafes which have the craziest themes and interiors to match it. Koreans go crazy for these cafes, and 943 King’s Cross is no different.
Located a stone’s throw away from Hongdae in Mapo-gu, 943 King’s Cross is a direct reference to platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station in the Harry Potter world that takes students from London to Hogwarts through a magical wall. Now, you’ll notice that it’s 943 and not 934 as in the movie. I have no idea why this is and why they named it like that, but I guess it’s a fun quirk to start off with.
Stepping inside will be a joy for even the most hardcore of Harry Potter fans. I myself only recently watched the series for the first time, and at the time of visiting I didn’t understand all the references. But going back through the photos, this cafe makes sure that it doesn’t forget any details.
The front doors resemble the style of a pub in Diagon Alley, and once inside you’ll see a wall of wands to your right going all the way across to the other side, a nod to Ollivander’s wand shop where every wizard and witch gets their first wand in the books and movies.
From the entrance alone, the team behind 943 King’s Cross left no stone unturned. From the little details in the wood paneled walls to the menu items, every little noticeable detail is meticulously thought out and executed. As a heads up, there is a one drink minimum per person, so unfortunately you won’t be able to just wander in and take pictures without purchasing something. The pricing is also a little more expensive compared to other cafes in Seoul, but I think for the true Harry Potter fan it is definitely worth it.
The menu items range from drinks and cakes to actual meal options, and they are appropriately named in reference to the lore of Harry Potter. Once you order, you’re welcome to find a seat on any floor and wait for the buzzer to pick up your order.
Yes, there are multiple floors.
While there are seven floors in total, only five of them were open to the public at the time of our visit. The top two floors seem to be either for staff or under construction and are restricted to the public. Starting off, the basement floor is themed to look like a wizard dive bar with a dementor in a corner. It is not our personal favorite floor as it was a bit creepy, but to each their own! Moving on, the first floor is where customers enter and order. From there, the second floor is known as the Wizard Cafe, and it is set up with normal tables in the middle and decor surrounding the floor. The third floor is the Banquet Hall, and just like the Great Hall where Hogwarts students eat, it is adorned with long benches and tables stretching all across the room with a fireplace adjacent to them. The fourth floor is the Dormitory Floor and it resembles a mix of the Gryffindor bedrooms and common room where students would live. There is a corner specifically made for photo ops on this floor if you’d like as well.
The experience really does feel immersive, and it reminds one of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios California. When taking the stairs up or down, the walls are lined with paintings of old professors and wizards, just like at Hogwarts. But my favorite part is the elevator. The inside is laid out immaculately and makes you feel like you might be at the Ministry of Magic or some similarly official building.
As for the drinks themselves, they are also a fun experience to try out. While the tiramisu cake is normal, the two drinks we got are unique in their own ways. The wizard green tea (right) comes either hot or cold and is the cafe’s iteration of a matcha latte. Fans will notice that the chocolate resting on top of the cup is the sorting hat. The cold hibiscus tea (left) has a stick above the cup holding the tea bag and resembling a wand of sorts. While the food and drink are not the best tasting compared to other cafes, one can appreciate the effort and style that goes into each item.
And while we regret not taking more photos at the time, it was one of the coolest cafes we saw in all of Korea. Whether you’re a diehard Harry Potter fan or someone just looking to check out a cool cafe, look no further than 943 King’s Crossing in Mapo-gu.
