Check Grow: A Mapo Book Cafe with Han River Views

2023-05-27 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

I feel a bit sorry for bringing the wrong person to a date spot, but I visited Check Grow in Mapo because I wanted to read some books. I'm not sure if the owner actually owns the building or is just incredibly good at business, but it's a cafe and brunch spot that takes up almost an entire building with a beautiful view of the Han River.

Taking up a whole building, the owner created a unique theme for each floor. There's a quiet area, a place where you can chat, a spot focused on eating, a space to lie down, and an area just for enjoying the scenery. It's a place where you can wander around all day, reading books and drinking coffee.

Exterior of a tall glass building with a Check Grow sign

You can tell the owner really went all out just by looking at the parking lot. I don't think any other book cafe could boast such a spacious parking area. Despite that, there are actually very few spots available to park, so you should think carefully before bringing a car. For reference, it's quite far from the bus stop and subway station, so accessibility isn't the best.

Cars and motorcycles parked in the piloti parking lot on the first floor of the building

A person reading a book at a window seat with a view of the river and a bridge through large windows

First things first, as soon as we met, we skipped the books and went straight to eat. We headed to a place called 'Pane Dolce' on the 5th floor, and the menu was quite unusual. They had a Danish sandwich called 'Smørrebrød' on the menu, which I had never heard of or seen before, so I ordered it out of curiosity. The owner of this place is truly extraordinary. Of course, it comes with a wicked price tag of well over 20,000 KRW, but it didn't taste bad, so I think it's worth trying at least once.

Cafe interior with green potted plants, wooden tables, and an oven in the back

Brunch dish with meat, a poached egg, vegetables, and edible flowers on toasted bread

After enjoying a hearty meal, the place suddenly filled up with people. It was relatively empty before noon, but right at 12 PM, the crowds poured in. I quickly grabbed a seat and started reading Uncanny Convenience Store, a book I hadn't gotten around to. Maybe it's the power of the space, but I breezed right through it. If you don't have a book, you can read the ones they sell at the cafe. As long as you read carefully, you can even finish a whole book. Judging by the condition of some books, a few are already completely tattered.

People using laptops or reading books behind bookshelves in a wood-decorated space

People working at wooden tables with a view of the city and river through large windows

People working on laptops or conversing at wooden tables under warm lighting

People reading books at window tables inside a book cafe with wooden bookshelves and a spiral staircase

It's great that it's a book cafe taking up an entire building (oddly enough, one of the middle floors is a medical clinic), but the scenery is just stunning. If you get lost in thought while reading or just want to space out for a moment, you can simply look out the window. Watching the Han River flow by while looking out at Yeouido (an island in Seoul) helps you at least take a deep breath, even if your mind isn't fully cleared. The coffee is just okay and all the menu items are super expensive, but once you see the view, it all makes sense.

Open city view of a river, multiple bridges, and high-rise buildings seen through a window

Two people sitting at a table on an outdoor rooftop terrace with string lights looking out over the city

If you're looking for a hideout for book nerds or a great space to just zone out, I highly recommend Check Grow. If you want to go on a date but also need to study for exams, I can't think of a better way to spend your time than staying at Check Grow all day.