Sleep cafe Nabijam / Captured from Nabijam website
The traditional lunch hour in Seoul’s bustling business hubs, like Gwanghwamun, Gangnam and Yeouido, is undergoing a major shift. Instead of crowding into restaurants, an increasing number of office workers are flocking to sleep cafes.
For many, lunchtime has transformed from being a time to eat into a vital 20- to 30-minute window for physical and mental recovery.
"I've used it for several months now," said Kwon, an economist in her mid-30s who works in Gwanghwamun, Jongno District, in an interview Friday. "I work at a global firm where the lunch culture is flexible, so I usually 'brown bag' my lunch and eat it at my desk. Afterwards, I'll head out to take a short nap at Nabijam."
She explained that going out for lunch can often feel more tiring than staying in the office because fighting the crowds and waiting in long lines is exhausting.
