cute – From KD to Kimchi

Today I went with a friend to a dog café!

These kinds of pet cafés are pretty popular in Korea. The concept is pretty simple: enjoy a cup of coffee while playing with the resident dogs, or bring your own!

I went with my friend Erin, who’d found the place (located in Hongdae) online. It’s called “BAU HOUSE” – a clever play on words from Bauhaus.

I’d read online that the coffee would be pretty expensive, as it essentially acts as your admission fee. One Americano will set you back around $6, but the fun atmosphere is worth it!

The main area of Bau House

The dogs would even walk up on the railing!

Just chillin’!

Two dogs came to vissit after they saw Erin with snacks!

Erin doing “shake a paw!!” with the big dog

Me feeding some of the dogs!

This dog came up to Erin wanting to play fetch!

The resident dogs at Bau House

This dog was a bit strange

…Or maybe he was just too tired!

Loved this little furball!

Erin and I loved this dog – he (or she) looked so regal! He was sitting on that stool so still, calm and composed for at least 20 or 30 minutes ^^

The little guy again!

He was sniffing my camera ^^

A cozy spot under the cash register!

One of the other customers’ dogs; looks like this little guy had enough fun for today!

Loved this dog!

The private area/front end of Bau House

Looking into Bau House

Info:

Hours: 1:30pm – 11:00pm weekdays; 12:30pm – 11:00pm weekends.
Address (English): 394-44 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Je-il Building, rear entrance, 1st floor)
Address (Korean): 서울특별시 마포구 서교동 394-44 제일빌딩 후면 1층
Phone: 02-334-5152
Location: Hapjeong Station (Line 2): It’s in the black shiny building between Exit 3 and 4. Can’t miss it!

Today I visited a store I’d been wanting to go to for a long time… “Ani Land” in COEX, Seoul’s biggest mall. Ani Land carries collectibles from Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation company with a cult following. Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Howl’s Moving Castle are all my favourite Ghibli films.

Outside of the store…

…And inside

Everything was SO expensive though! I was really disappointed. Even the keychains cost upwards of $15. Everything was imported from Japan.

The photos are poor quality because I’m still not 100% comfortable taking pictures inside specialty shops like this. I forget that I’m in Asia, where it’s okay to do that. In Canada the manager will usually have a hissy fit – buy something or get out.

A whole cabinet filled with Kiki’s Delivery Service stuff. I wanted the mug!! It’s the same one Kiki buys in the movie.

Lots of figurines… Spirited Away on the far right

Stupid expensive stuffed animals. I wanted a stuffed Gigi (the black cat) from Kiki’s Delivery Service, but the smallest one was $13; the regular one was $30. Just couldn’t justify it.