Hello Kitty Apple Cafe Myeongdong: Is It Worth Visiting? My Honest Experience
If you’re walking around Myeongdong and suddenly see an entire building dressed in red, pink, and gingham—with Hello Kitty staring back at you from every angle—you’ve probably found Hello Kitty Apple Cafe.
I visited out of pure curiosity. Not because I’m a hardcore Sanrio collector, but because this place is impossible to ignore—and because Myeongdong is exactly the kind of area where cafés either feel magical or painfully touristy.
So here’s the honest answer upfront (for skimmers):
Yes, it’s worth visiting—if you like cute interiors, photo spots, and themed desserts.
No, it’s not about gourmet coffee or refined pastries.
And yes, you’ll want your phone fully charged.
Now let me walk you through the experience properly—floor by floor.
Today’s Stop : Hello Kitty Apple Cafe Myeongdong
Address : Myeongdong 6-gil 15, Jung-gu, Seoul
Instagram : @hkac_kr
Quick Overview (Before You Decide)
Location: Myeongdong, Seoul
Floors:
1F–2F: Café (desserts & drinks)
3F: Hello Kitty merchandise shop
Vibe: Cute, playful, extremely photo-friendly
Best for: Fans of Hello Kitty, Sanrio lovers, travelers, content creators
Not for: People looking for specialty coffee or quiet cafés
If you’re short on time in Myeongdong, this is more of a visual experience than a food destination—but that’s not a bad thing.
First Impressions: The Exterior Alone Is a Photo Spot
The building itself is what pulls you in.
From the outside, Hello Kitty Apple Cafe looks like something straight out of a cartoon—brick walls, bold red accents, gingham details, and a giant Hello Kitty logo holding an apple. It doesn’t blend into Myeongdong at all, which is exactly the point.
Even before stepping inside, I noticed:
People stopping to take photos
Tourists pointing it out mid-walk
Phones coming out immediately
If you’re filming content or just documenting your trip, the exterior already delivers.
1st Floor: Ordering, Displays, and Immediate Overload
The first floor is where you order, but it also sets the tone for everything else.
Visually, it’s very saturated:
Red-and-white check patterns
Pink walls
Hello Kitty graphics everywhere
Display shelves filled with themed items
Behind glass counters, you’ll see Hello Kitty-shaped desserts, apple-themed pastries, and character drinks. The desserts are clearly designed for visuals first—smooth finishes, molded shapes, and recognizable silhouettes.
I ordered:
A Hello Kitty roll cake
Two hot coffees served in Hello Kitty mugs
Their specialty Strawberry Crumble Milk
Even the trays, napkins, and drinkware are branded, which adds to the experience.
The Desserts: Cute First, Taste Second (And That’s Okay)
Let’s be honest about the food.
Hello Kitty Roll Cake
The roll cake looks exactly like Hello Kitty’s face—ears, bow, facial details. It’s soft, lightly sweet, and easy to eat. Flavor-wise, it’s mild and approachable. Nothing experimental, nothing offensive.
Drinks
The hot drinks came in thick glass mugs with Hello Kitty illustrations.
Taste is standard café level—comforting, slightly sweet, not specialty coffee.
This café is not trying to impress you with flavor complexity.
It’s trying to make you smile, take photos, and enjoy the theme.
And for what it is, it succeeds.
2nd Floor: Seating, Sets, and Photo Corners
The second floor is where the café experience really opens up.
This floor feels more like a set than a café:
Hello Kitty-shaped chairs
Apple-themed tables
Illustrated windows and wall frames
Some tables are clearly designed as photo spots rather than functional seating. You’ll see people taking turns snapping pictures, adjusting angles, and moving props around.
If you’re here to relax quietly, this won’t be your place.
If you’re here to capture the moment, this floor is perfect.
Who the Café Is Really For
Based on what I observed, this café mainly attracts:
International tourists
Sanrio fans
Friends traveling together
Solo travelers creating content
Couples looking for something light and fun
It’s not a work café.
It’s not a conversation café.
It’s a destination café.
3rd Floor: The Merchandise Shop (Worth the Visit Alone)
The third floor surprised me the most.
Unlike many themed cafés where merchandise feels like an afterthought, this floor is a proper Hello Kitty shop.
What You’ll Find:
Plush toys (various sizes)
Keychains and small collectibles
Stationery and notebooks
Pouches, bags, and accessories
Limited café-branded items
Everything is neatly displayed, color-coordinated, and well-lit. Some items feel more collectible than souvenir-ish, which makes browsing genuinely fun—even if you don’t plan to buy much.
This floor alone makes the visit feel more complete.
How Long You Should Plan to Stay
Realistically:
Café (1F–2F): 30–45 minutes
Merchandise shop (3F): 15–20 minutes
Total visit: About 1 hour
It’s a perfect short stop while exploring Myeongdong, especially between shopping or before dinner.
Is Hello Kitty Apple Cafe Overrated?
No—but it’s often misunderstood.
If you come expecting a calm café atmosphere, you’ll be disappointed.
If you come expecting:
A themed experience
Cute visuals
Photo opportunities
Light desserts
You’ll enjoy it.
This café knows exactly what it is, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
Best Time to Visit
From what I saw:
Early morning (Opening hours) is ideal
Weekends get crowded quickly
Evenings are busy with tourists
If you want clean photos without people in the background, go earlier in the day.
How It Fits Into a Myeongdong Itinerary
Myeongdong can feel overwhelming—shops, food, crowds, noise. Hello Kitty Apple Cafe works as:
A visual break
A light dessert stop
A themed experience between shopping
It pairs well with:
Shopping streets
Beauty stores
Souvenir browsing
And because it’s vertical (3 floors), it feels more substantial than many other themed cafés.
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Again?
Yes—but with the right expectations.
I wouldn’t go back for the coffee alone.
I would go back if:
I had friends visiting Seoul
I wanted cute photos
I was already in Myeongdong
I wanted a fun, low-commitment stop
Hello Kitty Apple Cafe isn’t about food perfection—it’s about atmosphere, nostalgia, and visual delight. And in a district like Myeongdong, that actually makes a lot of sense.
