Words and shots by Barun Sarkar
One look at En-Rogel Cafe (에느로겔), a giant turquoise teapot-shaped teahouse in the middle of the Jeollanam-do countryside, and you’ll start to believe that whimsical dreams really do come true.
Donghee Lim has been an artisan of steel sculpting since university and had a lifelong aspiration to build a piece of art of his own that would be larger than life.
When asked why he built En-Rogel Cafe seemingly in the middle of nowhere, atop a gentle slope between Naejangsan National Park and Jangseong village, he said, “I chose that land because I wanted the café to be my biggest work, a giant piece of art.”
Even from a distance, you can spot the larger-than-life spout, handle and lid; though Lim says he’s yet to finish tiling the exterior due to the enormous size of the structure.
Next to the teapot sits a proportionally sized teacup which serves as the restroom. Eclectic sculptures abound in the surrounding land, ranging from a replica T-Rex skull to a quaint bridge fashioned as a giant fish.
As you grab the door handle of the teahouse fashioned from brass and tiny faucets, it’s easy to tell you’re in for a visual treat.
The interior is possibly even more artistic than the exterior and for good reason as well, considering it took three years to complete En-Rogel Café before opening in 2006.
Lim’s own personal artworks adorn the venue from floor to ceiling, making even a short visit alone worth the trip. Plush couches beckon groups both large and small while everything from Elvis Presley to ballads of the 90s add to the ambiance.
En-Rogel Cafe’s menu holds all sorts of non-alcoholic beverages and a small food selection as well, if you’re game for a W11,000 tonkatsu. Just keep in mind that you’re paying for the experience and not just the food.
Getting There: En-Rogel Cafe can be found at 415 Daeak-ri, Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, just off of the Gwangju Jangseong IC. Call at 061-392-9300.