Rain Report Cafe (Namsan Branch)
As mentioned in previous articles for Seoul, South Korea goes crazy for themed cafes and setting the ambiance to another level. While some are just small and cute cafes that might have related decor or drinks, others go all out for their artistic vision. Rain Report Cafe is one of these cafes.
The Namsan location is hidden away behind a bamboo walkway next to quiet residences. Upon finding the walkway, guests walk up the steps to the main building which is inspired by modern elements and combines sleek black metal and glass on the exterior. Once inside, customers are fully immersed into a one-of-a-kind cafe.
In the center seating area, a giant jumbotron-like machine has screens on every side displaying live rain and weather reports from all across the globe. Every few minutes or so, rain comes down from the machine into a pool underneath, while customers sit on the surrounding couches and stir up conversation.
The ordering counter stays as minimalist as possible, employing the modern rain theme while also showing off the coffee-making equipment. One of the most popular drinks is the sesame cloud drink (left below), which emulates a rain cloud and dark, stormy skies. It tastes like a smoky, sweet, and cold latte of sorts with lots of black sesame sprinkled throughout. If you are a fan of black sesame and more rich drinks, this one is highly recommended as we saw many customers also ordering the same.
Another drink we ordered was the cloudy day drink (I may be completely wrong on this name as I have since forgotten). In contrast to the sesame cloud drink, this one (right above) is light, refreshing, and exhibits citrus notes throughout. It tastes like a cold mix between sweet green tea and oranges, and this was my personal favorite. There is also pulp at the bottom of the glass which brings extra flavor and the presentation (for both drinks, really) is killer.
However, while the drinks themselves are great, I think that it is required to give more insight into the cafe’s unique design. The upstairs has much more seating for guests, and even includes rows of plush leather recliners that you can relax on while watching integrated screens on the wall playing rain videos. We came from a long day of walking and exploring the area, and so this was a perfect way to unwind.
The upstairs also has cozier rooms with large couches that guests can sit on while viewing the bamboo outside. The interior design of these rooms makes it so that it is serene, but also mysterious and pensive as you sip on your drink or take a bite of your pastry.
The outside area is incredibly unique as well. A skywalk leads from the second story exit into a separate building where guests can experience a tailored coffee tasting experience. As a note, reservations must be made ahead of time to even access this building, and it appears to be somewhat difficult to snag one depending on the time of year.
On the lower floors, the cafe is beautifully laid out like an art museum. A water feature adjacent to the glass windows drips rain down into the outdoor pool below, while another structure creates a block arch and creates its own rain. Guests are able to find seats right next to these water features and enjoy the view, which really is quite an amazing sight for a cafe. One of the best features about the outside area is how a wall of bamboo surrounds the perimeter, helping to bring privacy and intimacy to the setting. While houses are next door to the cafe, one would almost never notice them due to this landscaping technique.
With all that being said, this is definitely one of our all-time favorite themed cafes. The production quality is next-level, and the drinks themselves are tasty and unique enough for the price. While the two locations are somewhat far apart from each other, it is highly recommended that you visit either of them if you can during your stay in Seoul.
