Pop Culture-Themed Cafés To Visit In Asia | CoolJapan


Whether you're visiting one for work or play, cafés nowadays have really stepped up from just being a coffee hub to a full-on lifestyle destination. At present, apart from offering us our much-needed dose of caffeine, ambience and creativity also play a massive part in a café's appeal, especially for those who frequent it as their coffice space or a stop to their travel itinerary. But with all the cafés out there, which ones deserve your visit? To help you decide, we list down the best themed cafes in Asia that will surely feed not just your caffeine fix but also your craving for fun. 


Gudetama Café (Osaka, Japan)



Who would've thought that eggs would be so cute? Just two years after its debut as an addition to the Sanrio family (yes, the same creators of Hello Kitty), lazy egg Gudetama already took the world by storm as a global favourite. Not only is its perpetually weary state such a relatable mood (especially on Mondays!), people were also quickly enamoured by the character's irresistible cuteness.


If you're in the mood to embrace relaxed vibes and chill with Gudetama, its dedicated café situated in Kadukacho, Osaka is the new hub for you. From cuppas, entrees, mains, and desserts, have your fill of delectable treats decorated with Gudetama's comically jaded face that will have you cry-laughing in amusement, guaranteed. 


Address: 5-17 Hep Five 7F, Osaka 520-0017, Kakuda-cho, Kita Ward, Japan 

Operating hours: Daily, 11AM to 10PM


LINE Café (Seoul, South Korea)



Whether or not LINE is your main means of communicating with your friends, it's hard to ignore the adorable characters that are tied with their brand. Hanging out with Cony and Brown is made easier offline with their biggest café set in Seoul, with three-storeys dedicated to these original LINE characters and their other adorable buddies. Aside from life-sized cuddle buddies, Instagrammable corners at every floor and a nifty souvenir shop for your LINE lovin', the second floor of the establishment is dedicated to a café where you can grab munchies like LINE-themed macarons and cakes that might be too cute to eat once you see them!


Address: 27 Dosan-daero 13-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: Daily, 10AM to 10PM

Central Perk (Beijing, China)



With hit TV sitcom Friends celebrating its 25th anniversary this September, a trip to the gang's favourite café is just the way to celebrate. So if you're planning a trip to Beijing soon, make sure you drop by Central Perk, where you can hang with your best pals á la Joey, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe. Aside from grabbing a 'birthday muffin' and a cup of latte to satisfy your appetite, you can also take a peek (or snap away a bunch of photos) at Joey and Chandler's flat replica.


Address: 53 Chengfu Rd, Haidian Qu, Beijing, China

Operating hours: Daily, 11AM to 10PM


Alice Tea Salon (Pasig, Philippines)



What would Alice in Wonderland be without its (in)famous tea scene with the Mad Hatter and March Hare? Now, you can recreate tea time — sans the ravingly mad companions —  at Alice Tea Salon in Ortigas. Enter such whimsy with its inspired decor, from chessboard-like flooring and floating mugs installation to its Queen-of-Hearts-like red double doors. Plus, tea time is never complete without their variety of cakes, snacks, and drinks dressed in fanciful colours that will surely have you smiling like the Cheshire cat at every bite.


Address: The Pearl Place, Pearl Drive, Ortigas, Pasig, Philippines

Operating hours: Daily, 8AM to 10PM

9 3/4 (Mong Kok, Hong Kong)



If you don't have the time to fly to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Osaka or Orlando, this quaint space in Mong Kok offering everything Potter is the next best thing. In reference to the famed fictional entry station that'll lead one to Hogwarts Express, 9 3/4 is a café in Hong Kong that will really bewitch — pun intended — any Potterhead to enter its premises. Apart from a feature wall showcasing each character's wand to a replica of the King's Cross 9 3/4 wall in London, the café also serves a vast selection of food items reminiscent of feasts at the Great Hall. 


Address: 404 Shop, Prosper Commercial Building, 9 Yin Chong Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Operating hours: Daily, 2:30 to 4:30PM ; 6:30 to 10:30PM


(Cover photo from: @roamwithros)


Are adorable critters more up your alley? Check out these animal cafés next!

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