Right between Nonhyeon (논현역) and Sinnonhyeon station (신논현역) is an area that is otherwise especially unspecial. We gave it a try nevertheless and went to check out The Beaner.

Naver maps link: 더비너

Google maps:

The place is beautifully laid out, with a large space in the basement as well. It has a bit of a workshop flair, also the roasting happens inside the cafe.

Then it was surprising that the pour-over process was a bit spotty.

The paper filter was not rinsed, which can lead to paper taste in the coffee. The barista spent plenty time and attention on the cup, but there was no scale or timer anywhere near. That usually leads to some variation in the quality and profile of different brews.

But then, the final product was an excellent cup of Ethiopian coffee (West Arsi Worka). As promised, plenty of deep honey flavor.

We may come back and would hope that a few more things go ‘by the book’, or maybe it is all intuition after all?!