Location

53 Yeonhui-ro 11ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Grain Seoul (그레인서울)

When first opened in Yeonnam-dong, Grain was tucked away near the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, surrounded by small indie stores and cafes. It quickly became one of the most popular brunch spots in Hongdae with the unique concept of “build your own brunch.”

In June 2022 Grain eventually closed its Yeonnam branch and took a short hiatus before reopening in Yeonhui-dong. The new Grain’s surroundings feel less like a tourist spot and more like a quiet residential neighborhood between Sinchon and Hongdae.

If you’re planning to visit, it’s best to come by bus rather than subway. The nearest subway station (Hongdae or Sinchon) is quite a walk away, and several buses stop nearby including local lines connecting from Ewha, Sinchon, or Hongdae.

Menu & Pricing

One of the defining features that made Grain famous even back in its Yeonnam days was the “Build Your Own Brunch” plate (₩12,000-₩18,000) with a customizable selection of up to 6 items served on a wooden tray. In addition to the brunch plate, the menu offers open sandwiches and pancakes. Prices for most mains range between ₩15,000 and ₩20,000, and coffee is about ₩5,000–₩6,000.

To be honest I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that some of my old favorites didn’t make it to the new menu. In the past Grain used to serve a beautifully fluffy soufflé pancake and a cheesy beef burger that used to make the perfect sweet-savory balance. After the reopening in Yeonhui-dong, the menu has been somewhat simplified and slightly modernized. It’s clear the cafe is leaning more into its Scandinavian-inspired, wholesome aesthetic with more focus on lighter & cleaner flavors.

What I Ordered

I went with the Build Your Own Brunch Plate with 4 items:

• Toasted sourdough bread with butter
• Avocado with seeds and nuts
• Smoked salmon with dill mayo
• Scrambled eggs

Each component came in small bowls arranged neatly on a wooden tray. The sourdough was perfectly toasted with crisp on the edges but still soft and chewy in the center. The scrambled eggs were super creamy and over-easy in texture, as if they were cooked slowly over low heat. The avocado was perfectly ripe with the right amount of softness and a sprinkle of crushed nuts and seeds added a crunchy texture. Topping a piece of salmon with some avocado and egg on a slice of sourdough made the perfect combination for an open-faced sandwich.

FYI if you enjoy these kinds of DIY-style brunch plates, I also recommend checking out my review on Kivol, a café near Gimpo Airport that offers customizable brunch plates with pancakes!

The avocado sandwich came out as a colorful plate. The green hummus added a hint of sweet nuttiness that paired perfectly with the creamy smashed avocado, while the poached egg sat neatly on top, sprinkled with crushed nuts and pepper. The pickled onions brought a zesty touch to balance the richness, and the fresh arugula added a subtle pepper bite that tied everything together. With its mix of crunchy seeds, creamy spreads, and fresh vegetables, every bite was layered with satisfying textures and flavors.

Vibe & Atmosphere

The high ceilings with fans and plants hidden in every corner give the place an airy, greenhouse-like vibe. What stood out the most was how international the crowd was. On our visit, I’d say more than half the customers were foreigners and most staff were either fluent or comfortable speaking in English, which seems to show how Grain has built its identity as a brunch destination for both locals and tourists.

Another thing I noticed was the mini art exhibitions on the walls, featuring unique artwork by Korean artists. The new branding of the Yeonhui branch also feels distinctly Korean yet modern, with subtle “K-aesthetics” reflected in the typography.