Seoul Roastery 1946 Photos: Menu, Prices & Reviews

Anyone who has wandered through Takapuna on a quiet morning knows that finding a spot that does both a proper flat white and a plate of Korean fried chicken is rare — Seoul Roastery 1946, which opened in late 2024, fills that gap with a cosy Korean-style café that feels like a drop-in from Seoul. This article pulls together photos, menu prices, and real customer reviews to help you decide if it’s worth a visit.

Location: Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand ·
Instagram followers: 8,600+ ·
Google rating (Tripadvisor): 4.5/5 ·
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 7am–10pm, Fri–Sun 8am–10pm ·
Known for: Korean-style coffee, fried chicken, gimbap, matcha

Five facts about Seoul Roastery 1946, one pattern: the venue is well-documented for location and hours, but ownership details and exact pricing remain thin.

Is Seoul Roastery 1946 worth visiting?

Pros and Cons of visiting Seoul Roastery 1946

The location is a clear draw: sitting on Barrys Point Road in Takapuna, the café is a short walk from the beach and the main shopping strip (Auckland NZ). The cosy Korean-style interior and friendly service get consistent praise on Facebook, with one Chowluck Club member writing: “Nice lunch over the shore… Tasty food, great sweet treats and fantastic drinks” (Facebook).

On the downside, the café is not licensed for alcohol and does not accept reservations (NZ Herald). The First Table listing labels it as $$$ price level, suggesting dishes can add up, though the menu shows most items under NZD 25 (First Table).

What customers say on Tripadvisor and Reddit

TripAdvisor users give the venue a solid 4.5 out of 5, based on a small sample of reviews. On Reddit, a user on r/aucklandeats noted: “Their fried chicken and gimbap are good, though! Chi-Bap & Matcha @ Seoul 1946 Roastery” (Reddit). The consensus is that the food is the highlight, while the coffee and matcha drinks are also well-regarded.

The implication: if you value bold Korean flavours and a no-fuss drop-in vibe, Seoul Roastery 1946 delivers. The lack of a liquor license and reservations means it’s best for a casual meal rather than a night out.

Who owns Seoul 1946?

Background of the ownership

According to the Instagram profile @seoul1946.akl, the venue is owned by The 1946 Company (Instagram). The “1946” in the name likely references the company’s founding year, though the brand is a relatively new arrival in Takapuna. The Denizen describes it as “bringing a taste of Korea to Auckland’s diverse dining scene” (The Denizen (Auckland lifestyle magazine)).

Connection to The 1946 Company

The 1946 Company appears to be the parent entity, but no individual names of owners or operators have surfaced in the sources. The business was established in late 2024 at 27 Barrys Point Road (Auckland NZ).

The pattern: ownership is acknowledged but not detailed, which is common for newer independent cafes. The brand’s Instagram presence is the main public face.

What are the must-try items at Seoul Roastery 1946?

Signature dishes: fried chicken, gimbap, matcha

The Reddit review specifically calls out fried chicken and gimbap as standouts, and the chi-bap (rice bowl) with matcha is a popular combo (Reddit). The NZ Herald review also highlights the kimchi fried rice ($23) and chi bap ($24) as “unbelievably good comfort food” (NZ Herald).

Beverages and sweet treats

Matcha drinks are a recurring favourite, and the Facebook review mentions “great sweet treats and fantastic drinks” (Facebook). The Uber Eats menu lists several options including coffee, matcha, and desserts (Uber Eats).

What this means: if you go, prioritise the fried chicken, gimbap, and a matcha drink. The sweet treats are a bonus for those with a sweet tooth.

What makes Seoul Roastery 1946 special?

Korean cafe culture in Auckland

Seoul Roastery 1946 is a Korean-themed drop-in café that combines a coffee roastery with a full Korean food menu. The Denizen notes it “brings a taste of Korea” to Auckland’s already diverse dining scene (The Denizen). The Auckland NZ site describes it as a “cosy Korean-style café” (Auckland NZ).

Design and ambiance

Photos on Instagram (@seoul1946.akl) show a clean, modern interior with Korean decorative touches. The Facebook review praises the “friendly staff and efficient service” (Facebook). The space is designed for quick drop-ins and relaxed meals, fitting the Korean cafe culture of casual, all-day dining.

The catch: the ambiance is cosy but not formal, so it’s not a place for a romantic dinner. It shines as a lunch spot or a coffee-and-work break.

Does Seoul Roastery 1946 have a breakfast menu?

Opening hours and breakfast availability

The café opens at 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends, making it a viable breakfast option. However, no dedicated breakfast menu has been published. The Uber Eats and in-store menus available online list items like gimbap, fried chicken, and chi bap, which are more lunch/dinner oriented.

Menu items for morning

The sweet treats and coffee are available all day, so early birds can grab a pastry and a flat white. The Auckland NZ site confirms the menu includes “sweet treats and coffee” (Auckland NZ).

The trade-off: if you’re after a traditional breakfast (eggs, bacon, toast), you won’t find it here. But for a Korean-style lighter start, the coffee and pastries work.

“Nice lunch over the shore… Tasty food, great sweet treats and fantastic drinks.”

— Facebook group member, Chowluck Club (Facebook)

“Their fried chicken and gimbap are good, though! Chi-Bap & Matcha @ Seoul 1946 Roastery.”

— Reddit user, r/aucklandeats (Reddit)

For a Auckland local looking for a reliable Korean drop-in, the choice is clear: go for the fried chicken and gimbap, skip the alcohol, and enjoy the Takapuna sun. The trade-off between authentic comfort food and a no-reservations policy is a small price to pay for a meal that punches above its weight.

Frequently asked questions