Long hours at the office, tiny apartments and high stress levels are so characteristic of life in Seoul that the city's motto might as well be: "Abandon sleep, all ye who enter here."

So it's not surprising that Seoul residents keep thousands of coffee shops in business. The cafes allow tired masses to meet in a space that's neither home nor work, taking time out from busy schedules to see friends and relax.

While faceless chains are plentiful, a number of quirky theme cafes have sprung up, satisfying both the need for caffeine and the Korean passion for anything trendy, cute or both. Charming, whimsical and sometimes downright bizarre, these places embody a peculiarly Korean sensibility.

Hello Kitty: If cappuccinos topped with this famed character's face in powdered chocolate weren't enough, this local chain of cafes also sells stuffed Hello Kitty toys wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean dress.

58-2, Myeongnyun 4-ga, Jongno-gu. 82-2-744-6570.

Cat Cafe: About 20 cats of various breeds live in this scrupulously clean cafe. Cat lovers whose homes are too small to house a pet can spend time playing with and photographing the residents while enjoying their coffee.

36-1, Myeongnyun 2-ga, Jongno-gu. 82-2-766-3123.

Cafe Comics: In a basement cafe, sliding shelves house thousands of comics that customers can browse before settling down on small sofas to sip coffee and read for hours at a time. Figurines of comic book heroes keep an eye on cozy couples.

7, Myeongnyun 4-ga, Jongno-gu. 82-2-747-6708

General Doctor: This retro-look cafe is actually a waiting room for a medical office on the floor above, created to make visitors feel at home and surrounded by friends. Sixties-style furniture, bits of Lego and a few resident cats give the place an informal atmosphere.

362-1, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu. 82-2-322-5951

Princess Diary: Owned by a former wedding dress designer, this spot hosts giggling girls and couples who come to play dress up. Guests can choose from a range of wedding and party dresses (tuxedos for the men), get their hair and makeup done, and of course, take photos.

54-9, Ewha B/D, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu. 82-2-313-3323

The New York Times

(China Daily 03/17/2013 page16)