Cafe Namoo: Wooden Decks, Balloons and Tasty Drinks

I really don't know this place existed until I saw the Facebook page of this seemingly huge Korean cafe-cum-playground in my newsfeed. The moment I saw the photos of the place, I ping-ed my friends. 'Cause from the looks of it, my mind could only conjure a few words: spacious, refreshing and child-like.

Welcome to Cafe Namoo!  

Wonder what's inside of this playhouse. ^_^

I could seriously choose this over the formal-esque Western coffee shops. Did I mention Starbucks or Bo's? xD

Does this look familiar to you? 

If you're an avid fan of Korean cafes, you might have compared this to Cafe Noriter. The only perceived difference is the square footage. Cafe Namoo is considerably bigger. 

Yes. Balloons.

Fancy glasses for your photo-ops. Just in case.

With my peeps in the crib.

I finally got the chance to visit this place. I was hanging around Ayala and eating those crispy chicken wings from Bonchon when I sent a text message to my bff saying "Where u at, homie?" The feels. XD

A Korean guy gave this to me. He must be the owner. Seriously, I have no idea. xD

Busy, guys?

Cafe Namoo is perhaps the answer to the prayers of those wanting to chill out in a bigger cafe. Although I find the alleys narrow, each deck could accommodate at most 10 people. This cosy haven is situated in the 2nd floor of Northgate Center Banilad, right beside the University of Cebu and in front of Gaisano Country Mall. Pretty accessible with a jeepney ride, huh.

Not a lot but I think everything is great-tasting!

The prices: 3 digits. For a borderline-cheap-and-frugal person like me, I'd say the price tags of their beverages and food were okay. I've sipped some like their Strawberry Frappe and Java Chip Latte and I can pretty much attest to how yummy those are.

Always a strawberry-milk fan. :3

Very strategically-designed, errr, "yellow thing with a number". If you know what it's called, please comment below.

Is it this cold in Seoul, girls? Hahaha

Why we are all in awe in this photo? We were fangirling over EXO. Hahaha.

Young @ heart.

So narrow yet we're so fly. xD

Pretty Wings

Upon entering the cafe, you will see a room filled with balloons. It's equipped with an aircon-fan unit to make the colourful balloons move. Looks like childhood to me. :p

And we knew right then and there how to have fun inside this balloon room. :D

My BFFs!

Because having a photo shot with the wings is MANDATORY.

Xette with the keys.

Awwww. This totally reminds me of my teen years.

Kiss the cat.

Those EXO varsity jackets. Oh you. :3

We really can't help but take lots of pictures. The atmosphere is just too cute to handle! Cafe Namoo doesn't only serve as a hangout/dating place/study area. It's a shame not to take advantage of its camera-ready ambience, right?

Close enough. xD

And we swore to frequent this place.

CAFE NAMOO'S GOOD POINTS:

• The widest Korean cafe in town so far. My estimate would be around 15 double-deckers? Not sure. Anyway, it's really big and you need not to worry about the space.
• Free Wi-Fi.
• They have one electrical outlet for every deck. Definitely gadget-friendly.
• Well-lighted and comfy (courtesy of their colourful throw pillows).
• Drinks and toasts are a bit pricey but they're all worth it.
• Perfect for those young at heart.

TILLIE RATES:

• Food & Beverage: 4/5
• Ambience: 5/5
• Customer Service: 4/5

Just. DOPE.

Please check out my other Korean cafe reviews as well. ^_^

• Sunday 2PM Cafe
• Oppa Cafe

Oppa Cafe: Milk Tea and KPop

The Hallyu wave has surely found its way to the hearts of the Cebuanos (or shall I say, Cebuanas :p). But it seems that the Korean invasion in the Philippines transcends far beyond KPop and the likes of Boys Over Flowers. Now, it's also trying to win our taste buds and peepers. Case in point?   

Oppa Cafe!

A cutesy kind of preview of what's inside this beauty!

Oppa Cafe gives us a unique experience of South Korea's homegrown nosheries. We might have seen the likes of Cafe Noriter and Sunday 2PM Cafe studded in the metropolitan, but this one absolutely delivers something new to the table. 

Located just across the University of San Carlos-Downtown Campus, Oppa Cafe is now officially a regular hangout of students from nearby colleges. This trendy milk tea cafe opened last November 2013 and has already gathered a bunch of followers, usually those who fancy the Korean culture.

Flavours and colours... here and there.

For those of you who aren't particular with the Korean language, Oppa is a word referring to an older brother. Oppa is only used by females as a term of endearment for men who are older than them. But if you're a Korean girl who wants to call the attention of a man who's heaps older than you, you'd call him ahjussi instead. *snickers*

I've been here for two times. During my second visit, I actually encountered several oppas serving the customers. I'm not sure if they're the owners, though. Those guys kinda look like the ones you plucked out from Korean boybands--tall, good-looking and fashionable. *I am in no way fangirling as of the moment.* Anyway, those oppas would gladly have their pictures taken by any flailing fangirl. Plus, they're quite dedicated with tidying the place. After the customers leave, they immediately take away used plastic cups and wipe the tables. 

Here's my wintermelon milk tea. Yum.

Mochachino and Wintermelon. Oh, there's my loyalty card, too.

Unlike Starbucks and other well-known cafes in the city, Oppa Cafe's lounging areas consist of double-deckers and playroom-like spaces. You'll see stuffed toys, fluffy pillows, fancy eyeglasses, coloured wigs and lots and lots of post-its. No chairs, indeed.

Teddy Bear wants to snuggle with boyfie. Apparently, boyfie's playing Injustice. Pffft.

I cuddled with Teddy Bear instead. :3

Right on, sheep.

View from the top.

EXO-K! Oh, Chanyeol, you. *Pardon the quality... hihi*

I'd have to warn you, though. Oppa Cafe certainly caters to Kpop fans. The place has 2 huge LCD TVs and they're all playing Korean music videos. If you don't fancy the genre, well... :)

Just a few things I'm NOT a fan of:

• The sound quality is not much of a charmer. The music is too amplified and having stayed there for more than 3 hours, oh boy, it gave me a terrible headache afterwards. But if you're a Kpop-er, then that may not be much of a problem.
• The ambiance lacks that extra "oomph". Oh okay, you might hate me for this. I'm not really a fan of white lights, white walls, white ceilings... especially when it comes to cafes. The ones staying in the 2-deckers are lucky 'cause they get to enjoy those cozy, dimmed, orangey lights. Because of the perceived "whiteness", footprints and other unsightly mess became more obvious. The cafe somehow falls short on the concept of "cluttered but cute". Bummer.

But then again, it's just me. Nevertheless... fix it, oppas! :) 

Overall, hmmm... not bad for a Korean-inspired cafe! I'm pretty sure this place would improve more in due time. Regardless, it has already attracted the attention of Kpop lovers since Day 1. 

OPPA CAFE'S GOOD POINTS:

• Price range of food and beverages are more affordable compared to other Korean cafes in town.
• Free Wi-Fi.
• Gadget-friendly since electrical outlets can be found in every cubicle, even at the second floor of the double-deckers.
• Small cafe but can accommodate to at most 30 people. The owners have maximised the space so well as evidenced by the 2-deckers.
• Definitely a Kpop fan-friendly hangout.

TILLIE RATES:

• Food & Beverage: 4/5
• Ambience: 3/5
• Customer Service: 4/5

SEGUE :p

Awwwwwww <3 How sweet of you, boyfie.

It's Always Sunny and Happy in Sunday 2PM Cafe

I remember the time when a good friend of mine invited me to visit this new and Korean-inspired cafe. She said we'd meet up "Sunday 2PM cafe". I may have misread her text because I thought she'll be hanging out at a cafe on Sunday, 2PM. 

"No. We'll meet in Sunday 2PM Cafe", she texted and insisted.

That incident happened a few years ago. The name of the place is actually Sunday 2PM Cafe!

How cute, I thought. Why the name? The Korean owner said in random interviews that he considers 2PM on Sundays as the most relaxing time of the week. Well, I guess the cafe really lived up to his notion.

The cafe is undeniably patterned from the homegrown coffee shops of South Korea--an atmosphere quite different from the cozy and classy Western counterparts. *Oh Starbucks, you mean?*

Sunday 2PM Cafe is situated in Sarrosa Hotel. Despite the obvious lack of square footage, this well-loved coffee shop has got fangirls, students, little kiddos, young workers and the sosyal community hooked. Almost everywhere you turn, there will always be small trinkets, books, post-its, art materials and other cutesy stuff capturing your eyes.

Cramped and cluttered, you say. Heck this place is everything child-like, artsy and nostalgic!

More post-its. More pens. More opportunities to "emboss" your presence on their freedom wall.

Small, right? This is where their good-looking barista Kuya Jay concocts the cafe's beverages AKA masterpieces.

Isn't he adorable? :)

Kuya Jay, as what patrons like me would fondly call him, is always armed with a smile and a sincere greeting for every visitor he meets. Aside from his noticeably good looks, people visiting the cafe surely admire his pleasant and charming nature. Oh, staaaahp me :3

Teheeeee :3

Oh hi there, Mr. Snowman and Santa!

Cafe Mocha Frappuccino, y'all!

I wish I photographed their sooooo ingeniously-made menu--something like a notebook you snatched from a third-grader with cut-out photos of their beverages. The price range of their frappes and lattes is reasonable, granted the place is well-ventilated, comfortable and netizen-friendly (they have free Wi-Fi over here). Most of their drinks are priced from 100 to 150. 

They also serve desserts such as this beauty. :)

The cafe is also equipped with fun playthings. Ah, childhood.

Free polaroid shots! Time lapse 2 months.

Expect Kuya Jay (or sometimes, the owner) to take pictures of you in case you have stayed there for an hour. He posts them on their official Facebook page, so don't forget to check that out. Moreover, Sunday 2PM Cafe offers patrons a free polaroid shot for every 600 peso-worth of order. 

The things I love about this seemingly delightful coffee shop are the following:  

• Undisputed great customer service.
• Pleasant atmostphere + relaxing music.
• Reasonably-priced, delicious beverages and desserts.
• Free Wi-Fi.
• Availability of electrical outlets (just so you know... you could recharge your gadgets).
• Nice place to take photos with loved ones.
• Fangirl-friendly! You'd see lots of photos of Kpop and Jpop stars over here.
• Keeps you occupied with a wide variety of toys, art materials, books and DVDs. Note: You can borrow books and DVDs with a deposit fee of Php 200.

I've been here for countless times and I have to say how wonderful it feels the moment you step inside this literally and figuratively cute cafe. No wonder Sunday 2PM Cafe has become the talk of the town ever since--a famed stopover for youngsters and those who are young at heart. Definitely a taste of South Korea in the heart of the Queen City of the South.

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BONUS: Throwback photo @Sunday2PMCafe!

My first visit, together with my closest gal pals. :3

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a sponsored post.