Cafe Review: Cafe Bidol (비돌) in Daejeon
UPDATE 4/1/2021: Bidol is currently closed down. The owners decided the building was too old to be safe anymore so they tore it down. It’s currently being rebuilt and should be back in a year. RIP Bidol :(
Welcome to my cafe review series, where I’ll review cafes around Daejeon and the rest of Korea (in what little time I have left here).
To begin, I have to start with my absolute favorite cafe of all time. It’s also a bar, a vinyl haven, and a manga reader’s paradise. It’s Cafe Bidol in Daehungdong, Daejeon.
Price range: 4,000 espresso; 4-8,000 beer; 6,000 house wine
Hours: Every day 18:30 - 02:00, closed Sundays
As always, let’s rate it. Bolded means recommended. This cafe is best for:
Good brew | Tea | Socializing | Studying | Aesthetics | Desserts | Alcohol | Food |
We found this cafe one night, stumbling around Eunhangdong. I don’t even know how we found it, because it’s tucked away on a dark side street. But immediately, it became my favorite place yet.
What makes this place so special?
Walking in, you’ll be greeted with a very home-y little space. I’m not sure whether this place used to be an actual house or not, but it has the coziness of one. The walls are lined with bookshelves, mostly manga in Korean, but you can also find photography books, reader’s guides, encyclopedias and more, sometimes in English or Japanese.
The two owners don’t say much to me, but their cat will sometimes make an appearance.
Admittedly, this place is more about the atmosphere and vibe than it is the drinks. But that’s not to say the drinks are bad. In fact, they’re pretty good (read: strong).
They’ve got your cocktails and coffee options. A glass of red house wine is 6,000 won, and beer is usually around the same price. They have a few draft options, I think. As far as food goes, expect pub-style margarita pizza and fries. They’ll give you some chip things (pictured below) for free.
The true highlight of this place is exploring all of the little decor crammed in such a small space.
My favorite bits: the BTS Time poster hanging near the bathroom, the stacked action figures, the little smiley faces carved into the wood paneling, the Christmas ornaments, and model airplanes hanging from the ceiling.
Some may find this clutter to be kitschy or unpleasant, and I can totally understand that. For me, it’s comforting. If this place weren’t 45 minutes away from my house, I’d be there all the time.
If you’re in Daejeon, I hope you check this place out!