Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
I don’t spend too much time in coffee shops these days. And my friends might argue that I don’t even know how to enjoy a café and its vibe. Whether or not they’re right, the reason I don’t stay long at cafés is most have limited space. Luckily, I found Main Street, one that has enough space and food options that you can easily spend a half day by yourself or with your family. I’ve never seen a café like this before. It has so many things to see, eat and drink. And it is huge!
Located near the Pyeongtaek Port, Main Street is a 30-minute drive from Camp Humphreys and is the largest bakery café in South Korea’s South Gyeonggi-do Province. The four-story building has a seating capacity of over 800 and is well-organized into 20 types of theme sections that symbolizes New York City. According to the café website, the bricks of the building were brought in from abroad and are 300 years old. It features interesting murals depicting skyscrapers and yellow taxis in New York, making it a perfect place to snap photos.
As I arrived at the front of Main Street, a family was posing for photos with New York’s famous LOVE sculpture in the background. I rushed by them and through a gate that looked exactly like the Time Square elevator, excited to see what was inside the building. On the first floor, the smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the air. For those who don’t want coffee, the place is known for its vanilla and chocolate milkshakes. I grabbed a chocolate milkshake that looked beautiful. The 11,000 won (or $ 8.49) for the shake was a bit steep compared to other cafes, but this irresistible calorie bomb loaded with chocolate sauce, M&Ms and tons of whipped cream was delicious.
In the middle of the hall on the first floor, you will find a coffee museum dedicated to the different type of interesting retro props like antique coffee grinders. If you bring the kids, there is a Family Zone where your children can play. On the opposite side of the bakery, the dining area with rustic Coca-Cola wall décors and fridge is a good place to snap a selfie. Of course, you can’t miss the New York City murals that completely cover one side of wall.
The second floor is divided into two different themed seating areas — “LIBRARY” and “POP STREET.” If you’re looking for more of a quiet studious vibe, I recommend the Library section, which is stacked full of old books. POP STREET is a place where you can feel the vibe of NYC from the 1970s-80s. Don’t forget to check out the stairs with graffiti between the second floor and the third floor, which is another great photo-op spot with an artistic and hip vibe. You’ll feel like you’re in a small alley somewhere in NYC. If you’re hungry, the second floor is home to the Brooklyn Burger Bar, which offers cool draught beer and allows you to build your own burger at a reasonable price.
If you don’t want a burger and beer, head up to the third floor, where you can order anything from pasta, chicken and buffalo wings, to steak and quesadillas. There is also a wine bar where you can sit and sip on a great selection of wines. And make sure you check out 2D Café which, because of its delightful optical illusion, makes you feel like you’re in a drawing. In addition, the Container Zone, made of repurposed shipping containers on the third and fourth floor gives you another dining space option. If you’ve still have the energy to take more photos, go up to the rooftop, which is packed with stairs to the sky, chairs, big picture frames and pop art doughnut sculptures.
I had a great time at this huge café! With its murals, food options and unique interiors that offer a lot of great photo-ops, it was well worth the trip. And, I proved that I do know how to enjoy a café and its vibe.
Address: 경기 평택시 포승읍 만호리 697-17 메인스트리트 (KOR), 697-17, Manho-ri, Poseung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do (ENG) Naver Map Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Open year round Phone: 031-684-2223 Website
