There is no place like Seoul when it comes to top-notch cafes, restaurants and everything food-related. The vibrant city has so much to offer that is it impossible to cover the best places within a single trip—and we are surely not complaining about that!

Besides discovering about their fantastic street eats at night markets and mouthwatering local dishes in humble eateries, we also came to find out that Seoul is a dessert haven for all with a sweet tooth.

It took us a few trips to Seoul before coming up with this list of dessert places that impressed us with not just their myriad of sweet treats but also their charming atmosphere and chill vibes. If you are looking for a place to hang out with your mates or significant other in Seoul, this is the guide you will need to refer to.

Here are 9 Best Dessert Spots In Seoul where you will find everything from the Korean bingsu to green tea tiramisu and eclairs.

#1 BAN BOSSY BOUTIQUE

Boasting primarily pastel colours in pink, mint and white, walking into Ban Bossy Boutique is like stepping into Barbie-land. It is the perfect spot for afternoon tea with your girlfriends, complete with Instagram-worthy backdrops and an appealing array of cupcakes.

Munch on exquisitely decorated cupcakes such as their signature Flower Cupcake (W7,500), sliced cakes (W8,500) that are on a rotational basis and Macaron (W4,800).

3/F, 17-Waoosan ro- 19-22
Mapo-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 9896
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

#2 CAFE BORA

One of the better-known dessert cafes in Anguk-dong, Cafe Bora’s speciality is their Purple Sweet Potato Iceflakes which is essentially bingsu made with sweet potato. Other bingsu flavours you can get there are Green Tea and Strawberry.

For those who are not a fan of bingsu, Cafe Bora offers other sweet treats including Sweet Potato Ice Cream, Steamed Sweet Potato Bun and Chickpea Ice Cream.

149-5 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8613 5537
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#3 CAFE ONION

Cafe Onion in Seongdong-gu neighbourhood—also known as the Brooklyn of Seoul— checks all the boxes that we are looking for in a cafe. The industrial-themed cafe has their own bakery and an open rooftop terrace for guests to chill at.

Having an in-house bakery means guests are able to enjoy many varieties of warm pastries that are freshly baked from the oven. The cafe is perhaps best known for its Pandor (W5,000/ S$6.02), which is a pastry topped off lavishly with icing sugar.

277-135 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga
Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Seongsu

#4 COFFEE FAKTORY

We are letting you in on a little secret that we found out at GLOBO Coffee Faktory—there is a secret hideout that resembles a traditional Korean tea house nestled within the cafe!

GLOBO Coffee Faktory roasts their own coffee beans in-house with a large probat roaster and guests are able to choose up to seven different types of coffee beans from around the world. Dessert options include Tiramisu (W6,800), Waffles (W15,800) and a selection of cakes.

Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 10 3189 4737
Nearest Station: Anguk

#5 ÉCLAIR BY GARU HARU

Who doesn’t like pretty eclairs? Not us for sure! These French pastries are works of art and we almost couldn’t bear to eat them. Some of the flavours you can find there include Salted Butter Caramel, Yuzu, Chocolate and Earl Grey.

247-9 Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 337 8090
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#6 FRANK’S

Having tea at Frank’s is every girl’s dream come true. Guests are surrounded by bouquets of pressed flowers while they indulge in aesthetically-pleasing desserts. One must-try item is their rainbow sponge cake.

258-228 Itaewon(2)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8156 5459
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Itaewon

#7 O’SULLOC TEA SALON

O’sulloc is a tea salon in Seoul that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island, with branches in Myeongdong, Apgujeong, Insadong and Daehangno. With an extensive menu of different teas—both hot and iced—and an assortment of green tea desserts such as swiss rolls and tiramisu, there will always be something to fall in love with.

If you are not there for their classic Green Tea Latte, then you have to go for their swiss rolls or Green Tea Tiramisu—it is like a mousse cake that has an airy and creamy center married with green tea powder.

47-1 Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2-774-5460
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

#8 PASSION 5

Passion 5 is a fine dessert emporium located in Itaewon, Seoul.

The upscale cafe cum gallery is made up of five components—cafe, bakery, patisserie, chocolate and lastly, passion from Passion 5?s pâtissiers. Visitors are surrounded by many exquisite dessert creations enshrined behind polished glass and a stellar selection of aromatic baked goods.

Other highlights at Passion 5 include a rotating gelato chiller and the most outstanding eclair display. With almost 300 dessert items featured, it is a feast for your eyes as much as it is for your taste buds.

272, Itaewon-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9505
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#9 THE NILK FACTORY

Taking up the first floor of a building, the nilk factory offers a range of cold-pressed almond milk in different flavours, coffee, tea and gluten-free cakes.

the nilk factory’s signature drinks include Almond Je’taime (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600) and Mixed Nuts (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600). Look forward to a curated selection of cakes such as Ice Box (gluten-free chocolate cake), New York Cheese Cake and Carrot Cake.

32 Gangnam-daero 162-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 2039 0821
Nearest Station: Sinsa

Traveling to Seoul soon? Have a look at our Seoul Travel Guide.

Can you believe that behind this pretty pink vending machine lies an entire café?

Situated just a stone’s throw away from Mangwon Market is Zapangi, an Instagram-famous café which has a brightly-lit pink vending machine door. Translating to ’vending machine’ in Korean, Zapangi is literally known for their iconic vending machine door.

Here, you can expect a range of cakes served in tins, doughnuts, coffee and their signature milk tea. Zapangi is a café that anyone who has a love for all things pretty or wants a picture to jazz up their Instagram feed should patronise.

If you are heading there via public transport, take the subway to Mangwon Station and take exit 2. Just a short 5 to 10-minute walk through a local neighbourhood would get you to this pretty café!

Besides the iconic pink vending machine door that Zapangi is known for, they serve a neat range of classic desserts and drinks that taste as good as they look. If you’ve ever noticed your Instagram feed brimming with posts of a mermaid cupcake served in a metallic tin, well, you can now join the trend and get one for yourself at Zapangi.

Thier menu is limited to sweet treats, including tin cakes and doughnuts, and beverages, all costing no more than 10,000 won. We suggest you order a cup of their signature milk tea to go with their insanely cute cakes and doughnuts!

Save a spot in your itinerary when you’re heading to Seoul for Zapangi not just so you can snap a few OOTD pictures with their iconic vending machine door, but to indulge in their adorable confectioneries.

If we were you, we’d share them on Instagram because if it isn’t on Instagram, it didn’t happen.

Zapangi Seoul
400-2 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 10am -11pm
Tel: +82 2 325 8185

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s travel guides on the best places to discover in the city.

Garosu-gil is possibly our favourite area in Seoul. The hipster neighbourhood is where you will find quaint cafes, lifestyle boutiques, local labels, cosmetics shops and several international brands. The tree-lined street has a certain charm to it that makes you want to hang around the area a little longer.

With all the options available, you can easily spend a day there with your friends as you cafe hop, try on different designer clothing together and take a stroll down the lively street. What’s more, there is always a hidden gem lurking at every corner, waiting to be discovered.

This guide to 21 Cafes In Garousu-Gil You Must Visit When In Seoul will give you an overview of the best cafes you are able to find there.

BASILUR TEA AND COFFEE

There are many simple joys in life and we do not need fancy food and alcohol every day. Just an iced tea and a comfortable space to sit back and watch the world go by.

Basilur Tea And Coffee is one of those. Occupying the second and third level of a building in Garosu-gil, the space is perpetually packed but strange enough, the crowd does not overwhelm. And the splendour of the drinks house sure took our breath away.

Sinsa-dong Gangnam-gu 2nd floor 554
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

CAFE DE PARIS

Despite being hidden in an alley that is not visible from the main street, Cafe de Paris is hard to miss with its striking blue exterior and Parisian-style huge windows. Elegant and chic, Cafe de Paris is where the locals hang out to people watch while hiding away from the crowd on the main street.

The food menu is simple though, as the cafe is more for casual drinks such as European coffee and tea. What is evidently popular is their signature Mango Smoothie (W16,000).

551-2 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +822 514 8282
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

COFFEESMITH

This is one huge coffee house to visit when you need a drink. We took a while to digest the comprehensive drinks menu, but more than that, we were taken in by the sheer grandeur of Coffeesmith. It is easily one of the most elaborate coffee house in Garosu-gil with its multi-level outlet, and the fragrance of their brew lured us in.

The menu has drinks for both caffeine and non-caffeine drinker. Pick from a wide range of coffee, teas and juices, and read a magazine as you idle the afternoon away.

536-20, Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3445 3372
Mon to Thu, Sun: 9am – 1.30am
Fri & Sat: 9am – 2.30am
Nearest Station: Sinsa

DEUX AMIS PATISSERIE

Deux Amis Patisserie is a terrific patisserie serving gorgeous cakes and tarts that will make anyone weak in the knees and it is one of our favourite places to go for desserts in Seoul. Try their Strawberry Tiramisu Tart and Caramel Cake.

535-9 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3443 0030
Nearest Station: Sinsa

DISH ROOM BY DORE DORE

We are absolutely in love with Dish Room. It was one of those love-at-first-sight moments for us, and we knew we had to step in for a midday perk-me-up. Priding themselves to serving a menu that emphasizes “eat well, live well”, Dish Room by Dore Dore has a display of salads and healthy warm food to pamper its patrons.

What would get your attention, we reckon, is the stunning cakes display. They are tall and majestic, and any cake lover will be sold. From rainbow to many other layered cream cakes, Dish Room by Dore Dore is a must-go when in Garosu-gil.

546-18 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 511 2115
Nearest Station: Sinsa

IKOVOX COFFEE

Another cafe that pays homage to good coffee is Ikovox Coffee. It may seem like an unassuming corner unit in one of the smaller streets of Garosu-gil, but it sure is no less popular among locals and tourists alike. The outlet is always packed with coffee lovers who just need a relaxing space to settle down with friends while sipping a seriously good cuppa.

Ikovox Coffee is definitely your thing if you are serious about coffee.

I Tae Won 1 Dong, 140-863
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 2790 5578
Daily: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Itaewon

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK

The name of the cafe does not quite make sense and we raised our brows when we first heard about it. Plus, it requires a bit of walking from the main side of Garosu-gil. But take that stroll and you will be welcomed by a small yet stunning cafe.

The monochrome-theme cafe is known for their cheesecakes, and while we thought it was just slightly underwhelming, it is still a nice and quiet space for a little break from all that walking. The coffee is pretty decent, by the way!

161 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 41
Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 4220 2014
Nearest Station: Sinsa

KOBALT KAFE

Look no further if you are searching for a cosy place to have a gathering with your girlfriends. Previously just a shop opened by Kobalt Design Studio, Kobalt Kafe has expanded to become a European-style bistro that is famed for their house brews.

The cafe serves beverages such as Italy coffee, various types of French tea and healthy drinks made from seasonal fruits alongside a range of aesthetically-pleasing cakes. If you happen to fall in love with the lovely rustic interior design, some of the furniture displayed in the cafe are sold on their website!

35-5 Gangnam-daero 160-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3443 1513
Mon to Sat:12pm – 10pm
Sun: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

LA POMME DESSERT CAFE

La Pomme Dessert Cafe’s cakes and desserts are prepared fresh in-house, and they are all so pretty. We like the seats by the windows; don’t you too?

135-889, Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu
a 10-way 35, Sin sa dong
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 545 4508
Nearest Station: Sinsa

LAY BRICKS

We did a second take when we stumbled upon Lay Bricks. On the first impression, we thought it was a mini factory of sorts, but we were wrong; it is an industrial-style cafe that is so bloody sexy! The place is well, predominantly laid with bricks, and sewing machines and oil tins are used as tables and chairs.

It is one of those secret hideouts where you can escape from the madness of the world and just enjoy some cold brew at.

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 46
Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 545 5513
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Sinsa

LATTE KING

Yet another place to go to for cold brew is Latte King, this hole-in-the-wall cafe that serves cold brew on tap. It is a little inconspicuous from the main road, but look out for the iconic cat logo and you are on your way to some summer thirst-quenchers.

Choose from Cold Brew Ice Coffee (W4,300), Cold Brew Coffee Beer (W4,800), or Cold Brew Hibiscus (W4,300). There are also many juices to pick from if you prefer something without caffeine!

15 12 (giljeom avenue)
Sin Sa Dong, Seoul, 133-848, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 544 0729
Nearest Station: Sinsa

 LINE FRIENDS STORE & CAFE

Line Friends Store & Cafe was one of our first stops during our recent trip to Seoul, and you would not believe how excited we were. The multi-level outlet features huge merchandise sections and a cafe, and is filled with excitement and laughter of all like-minded fans of Line.

Be seated at the cafe and to tuck in to the cutest Line Friends macarons and brownies. We don’t know how you are going to do it but we didn’t even have the heart to bite into our Brown and Cony macarons!

535-15, Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

MINOS COFFEECULT

Located at the start of Garosu-gil is Minos Coffeecult, one of the best places to rest your feet in between shopping. There are both indoor and outdoor seating. Step in for a cuppa and to simply zone out while the world goes by. We love how Minos Coffeecult has a wide range of magazines—a great alternative to an idyllic afternoon at Garosu-gil.

Minos Coffeecult uses coffee beans from Anthracite Coffee Roasters. Don’t like caffeine? Minos also has other drinks such as Sweet Pumpkin Latte, Marron Latte and Green Tea Latte at W6,200 each.

Hallym 547-1 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu, 2nd floor, Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8818 4601
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Sinsa

MR HOLMES BAKEHOUSE

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse is a popular bakery that hails all the way from San Fransisco, California. The dessert place specialises in crusty croissants, a mouthwatering array of baked goods and house brew coffee.

Those who are unsure of what to get there may like to try they are known for—their signature Cruffin (W5,500). The cream fillings are rotational so you may be trying out a different flavour when you visit on different days.

34 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 547 2004
Daily: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

MUG FOR RABBIT

Intriguing and inviting, Mug For Rabbit spots a slightly industrial look juxtaposed with Parisian chairs. Loud tracks fill the cafe, and the crowd in there is a good-looking one. The two-storey unit is yet another place for you to rest your feet over drinks and hearty chats, and we especially love that mezzanine.

We say go in and grab a quick juice, kick your shoes off and let your hair down. By night, Mug For Rabbit transforms into an alluring space with long-hanging and dimly-lit lamps.

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 53 (boulevard second store)
Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3443 7488
Nearest Station: Sinsa

OSULLOC CAFE

Osulloc is a tea salon that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island. With an extensive menu of different teas—both hot and iced—and an assortment of green tea desserts such as swiss rolls and tiramisu, there will always be something to fall in love with.

It is a cosy cafe with a very inviting laid-back vibe. Wooden furniture dominate the facade, sounds of ice blending and excitement from patrons fill the space; the lights are kept dim, but just as well, because no matter what time it is out there, we just want to recline into our seats and immerse ourselves into this relaxing environment while enjoying our green tea everything.

175 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 6 (Apgujeong points)
Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, 135-892, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3448 5967
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

REMICONE

This soft serve lab is one you must not miss! You see that smiley soft serve there? Yes, you deserve an award for being so cute.

Build your own soft serve here at Remicone. The first step is to choose a cup or ‘cone’. Then, pick a flavour—milk, salted caramel or chocolate. Top it off with your choice of honey caviar, cotton thunder, hazelnut crumble, honey chip, popping sugar or fleur de sel. There you have it. Now, take out your cameras and snap a dozen photos before sharing it on your social media platforms!

Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu
a 14-way 24-, Sin sa dong
Seoul, 135-890, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 6207 1029
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

SARUBIA

This retro-looking place had us feeling like we stumbled upon a gem at the back alley. Sarubia is slightly off the main street, but it is not difficult to spot. Look out for the display of mismatched chairs lining the entrance.

On the menu, put your attention to the pasta section—Aglio Olio (W16,000), Seafood (W19,000), and Carbonara (W17,000). Want some pizzas? There is the Margherita (W20,000) and Rucola (W21,000).

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 57
Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 540 7344
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2am
Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Sinsa

THE FLYING PAN

Talk about beautiful white spaces and flowers in abundance! The Flying Pan is one like that, and the timeless elegance stole our hearts. Stepping into the slightly Parisian cafe gives us a strange sense of familiarity, yet took us by surprise altogether. Every detail of The Flying Pan is something to discover, and it is little wonder this cafe is ever popular with the locals.

The menu is a typical European one, with signatures including Free Range Eggs Benedict (W15,000), Bacon French Toast (W15,000), and Mentaiko & Leek Pasta (W16,000). It may not be the cheapest place to dine at, but it sure is a lovely cafe to spend some time with your loved ones.

Road 8, Sin Sa Dong
Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 514 5585
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

THE NILK FACTORY

Taking up the first floor of a building, the nilk factory offers a range of cold-pressed almond milk in different flavours, coffee, tea and gluten-free cakes. The cafe is not for those who are looking for a full meal but it is where you can hang out with your girlfriends or partner for afternoon tea or dessert.

the nilk factory’s signature drinks include Almond Je’taime (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600) and Mixed Nuts (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600).

32 Gangnam-daero 162-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 2039 0821
Nearest Station: Sinsa

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1202 COFFEE COUNTER

Dog owners who are looking for a pet-friendly cafe in Garosu-gil can stop by 1202 Coffee Counter which opened in March 2017. The lifestyle cafe has a market space where visitors can purchase tote bags and small potted plants such as various breeds of cactus.

Our favourite spot at the cafe is by the counter, where you can sip on aromatic coffee while watching the locals go about their day. For humid days, we would recommend their Cold Brew (W6,000), Lemon Tea (W6,500) and Grapefruit Tea (W6,500).

518-15, Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 3442 1202
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

For more recommendations, read our guides to discover the best places to visit in Seoul.

Owned by SPC Group—the same conglomerate behind Paris Baguette—Passion 5 is a fine dessert emporium located in Itaewon, Seoul.

The upscale cafe cum gallery is made up of five components—cafe, bakery, patisserie, chocolate and lastly, passion from Passion 5′s pâtissiers. 

Visitors are surrounded by many exquisite dessert creations enshrined behind polished glass and a stellar selection of aromatic baked goods. Other highlights at Passion 5 include a rotating gelato chiller and the most outstanding eclair display. With almost 300 dessert items featured, it is a feast for your eyes as much as it is for your taste buds.

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#1 CAFE

The care was abuzz with chatter and filled with patrons on the day of our visit, boasting mostly young Koreans, foreigners and expats. If you are intending to head there for tea, be sure to reach early for seats are limited at the cafe.

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Coffee beans are sourced all the way from Colombia and Ethiopia and visitors get to choose between Black N Blue or Coffee Diva.

You will find their signature Hand Drip Coffee (W7,000) on the drinks menu and other choices such as Espresso (W5,000), Cappuccino (W7,500) or Cafe Latte (W7,500).

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Do take a look at their rotating gelato chiller, which is just beside the cafe’s counter!

#2 BAKERY

The bakery section is where you can fill your tummy with a scrumptious array of savoury sandwiches, buns and other types of baked pastries. Simply grab a clean tray and a pair of tongs and you are ready to go.

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There are individual items and full loaves of bread on sale at Passion 5, so take your time to wander around when you are there. We had the Delicious Cheese Cake (W3,700) which we enjoyed thoroughly as the soft cake was brimming with cheese flavours.

If you are craving for something sweet, you can find the Apple Mango Pudding (W3,300) at the Patisserie section.

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#3 PATISSERIE

Passion 5′s Patisserie section is a sweet tooth’s heaven; you can practically find artisanal desserts that are Instagram-worthy at every corner. From cakes and swiss rolls to cheese tarts and eclairs, it is hard to resist taking everything from the counters!

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Can’t decide between having a cheese tart or egg tart? Why not get both instead! These freshly baked yummy treats are going at W2,500 each and W10,000 for four.

Nothing will prepare your hearts for this fancy collection of colourful eclairs at Passion 5. Some of the flavours include Yuzu Chocolate, Vanilla, Lemon Vanilla, Cherry, Passion Fruit… and the list goes on.

Yes, the selection is absolutely insane but we sure aren’t complaining!

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As if that’s not enough, they also have a counter just for tarts which are equally breathtaking in terms of presentation. Expect to see a delicious range such as Greengrape Tart, Banana Pudding Tart, Berry Pistachio Tart, Cappuccino Tart and Peach Tart.

We highly recommend the Jeju Green Tea Swiss Roll (W7,800) which is a delectable green tea swiss roll that is filled with sweet cream. An attractive dessert that tastes as good as it looks is Autumn Apple Eclair (W5,800).

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#4 CHOCOLATE

Walk to the end of the lane and you will find a chocolate chamber where the doors are designed to look like chocolate bars. From the outside, it feels like a scene from the movie ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’.

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This is where you will find rows of premium chocolate on display. Apart from individual chocolate cubes, Tok-Tok Chocolate, Tablet Chocolate and Triangle Chocolate are some other varieties you can find there.

If chocolates are not your thing, there is also a wonderful assortment of macarons which look just as inviting.

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Passion 5
272, Itaewon-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9505
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Need more food recommendations in Seoul?
Take a look at our Seoul Food Guide.

Finding gluten-free cafes in Seoul may not be an easy feat but we came across a charming cafe in Garosugil district for those who are looking for gluten-free baked goods.

Taking up the first floor of a building, the nilk factory offers a range of cold-pressed almond milk in different flavours, coffee, tea and gluten-free cakes. The cafe is not for those who are looking for a full meal but it is where you can hang out with your girlfriends or partner for afternoon tea or dessert.

So for those who are looking for more gluten-free options that do not compromise on flavour, check out the nilk factory in Seoul.

the nilk factory is a small and cosy cafe with simple furnishings such as hanging greens, potted plants, wooden furniture and warm lighting that encourages people to sit longer for a chat. Guests feel comfortable enough to have intimate conversations as the seating arrangement is rather spacious despite the limited space.

Guests feel comfortable enough to have intimate conversations as the seating arrangement is rather spacious despite the limited space.

If you are not there for their range of coffee drinks, then you cannot skip the handmade cold-pressed almond milk. This dairy and gluten-free nut milk is known to possess plenty of health benefits as cold-pressed almond milk helps to preserve the maximum amount of enzymes and quality without losing on flavour.

the nilk factory’s signature drinks include Almond Je’taime (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600) and Mixed Nuts (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600).

Ice Box (W8,000) is a gluten-free chocolate cake layered with a generous portion of sweet cream in between. We felt that the cake was too a little too sweet for our liking but it helps to complement the light almond milk.

Alternatively, there are also other flavours to try such as New York Cheese Cake and Carrot Cake.

the nilk factory
32 Gangnam-daero 162-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 2039 0821
Nearest Station: Sinsa

The streets of Seoul are packed with many independent cafes, of which most are beyond outstanding—in terms of both aesthetics and the wide range of coffee and baked goods that they offer.

Yet, it was not hard to decide which cafe was our favourite among all. Cafe Onion in Seongdong-gu neighbourhood—also known as the Brooklyn of Seoul— checks all the boxes that we are looking for in a cafe. The industrial-themed cafe has their own bakery and an open rooftop terrace for guests to chill at.

For those who are visiting Seoul, you cannot skip Cafe Onion for anything in the world. Read on to find out why this is our all-time favourite cafe in Seoul. 

Before Cafe Onion was born, the same building was previously used for many other purposes, including a supermarket, a repair shop and a metal factory. The chic industrial-themed cafe that you see today is a reflection of its past, with cement floors, stained grey walls and chipped red bricks.

Having an in-house bakery means guests are able to enjoy warm pastries that are freshly baked from the oven.

We noticed that their staff is quick in refilling the trays, so just be a little patient if the item you are looking for is out of stock.

Most of the tables on the ground level are catered for communal dining, so expect to share tables with other visitors. Despite so, there is ample space for you to move around or have private conversations with your friends.

There are also sofa seats for those who wish to lounge around and laze the afternoon away with a drink and some light bites.

Head further in and you will notice that there is a sunny courtyard accompanied with long wooden benches. This spot is perfect for those who visit during colder days as you can bask in the warm glows of the sun.

Cafe Onion’s rooftop terrace is where busy locals unwind after a day of work or school. The cool breeze and calm ambience help you to forget about the pressures of life as your attention is focused on excellent coffee and food instead.

It feels like you are being teleported into another world as you watch the crowd hustle down the streets and hear the background hum of traffic.

Cafe Onion is perhaps best known for its Pandor (W5,000/ S$6.02), which is a pastry topped off lavishly with icing sugar. The airy pastry was decent and we enjoyed having it as a sweet treat with iced coffee.

Cafe Onion offers a range of house brews such as Cappuccino (W5,000/ S$6.02), Flat White (W5,000/ S$6.02) and Cafe Latte (W5,000/ S$6.02).

Otherwise, go for other beverages including Pineapple with Coconut Water, Carrot Juice (W5,000/ S$6.02) and Matcha Latte (W6,000/ S$7.22).

Cafe Onion
277-135 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga
Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Seongsu

For more recommendations, read our Seoul food and travel guides featuring the best places to visit.

Serious coffee drinkers will find plenty of options in Seoul, and one of the most popular destinations in the uber-cool Seongsu-dong neighbourhood—also known as the Brooklyn of Seoul—is Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN.

More than just a cafe offering pretty food, Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN is also an art gallery where you can admire various art exhibitions—from larger-than-life art installations to creative paintings. The exhibitions change from time to time so guests can always look forward to something new there.

Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN is also located near to Common Ground, a hipster container market which has been making rounds on social media so you can visit both places on the same day!

Housed in an old red brick building, you will never guess what this space was used for initially. It was previously a rice mill in the early 70s and then a simple storage area in the 90s.

Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN opened its doors to public in May 2016, after much effort has been made to convert it to an art gellery and cafe.

If there is one thing you will not fail to notice, that would be the extremely spacious interior. Most of the tables are good for communal dining and yet, there was enough space for you to wal karound comfortably. Now, can you imagine how enormous the place is?

The high ceilings are open to allow natural sunlight to filter in, which is essential for the trees planted in the cafe to grow well. The cafe oozes with a calm ambience as guests are surrounded by tall trees with luscious green leaves that dance in the wind.

With free wifi provided, guests can choose to do some work in peace there while having a cuppa or wander around to admire the art pieces. Even if you are not into art, you will be amazed by the grandeur and creativity of certain art exhibits.

The menu features full meals such as pasta, pizza and party plates but if you are there for a quick bite, they have pastries as well. For drinks, go for their house brews, fresh juices or beers.

Their Blueberry Tart (W9,000/ S$10.84) came with fresh blueberries and sweet cream atop a crusty pastry base. The portion size was great for sharing among friends and makes for a great afternoon snack if you are up for something sweet on your palate.

Of course, you have to pair a sweet treat with an aromatic cup of Cappuccino (W6,000/ S$7.22). We loved how the freshly pulled espresso came with bitter after tones which were not too overwhelming because it was balanced with hot milk.

If you are looking for alternatives, try their Nitro Coldbrew Coffee (W9,000/ S$10.84), Cacao Latte (7,000 won/S$8.43) or Vanilla Affogato (W7,000/ S$8.43).

Craving for a beer instead? You can either have bottled beers, draft beers or the one and only signature craft beer—Mikkeller. The cafe serves beers throughout the day, so do not be shy to spend on them!

The Mikkeller (W9,000/ S$10.84) is a type of pale ale beer which has a strong bitter taste. The reddish-orange beer has a crisp taste to it and is for those who enjoy something in between a dark stout and light lagers.

There are so many cafes in Seoul that are worth visiting and Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN definitely ranks high on our list.

Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN
78, Seongsui-ro
Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 499 9669
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Seongsu

For more recommendations, read our Seoul food and travel guides featuring the best places to visit.

[New] Mr Holmes Bakehouse is opening its first outlet in Singapore in June 2021.

One of the hottest destination to see and be seen in Seoul right now is Garosu-gil. The place is home to tons of cafes, independent fashion labels, bars and so much more. Since it is not possible to cover the entire area within a trip, we decided to revisit this lifestyle destination again.

One bakery cafe that caught our attention on the spot is Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. This popular bakery hails all the way from San Fransisco, California and specialises in crusty croissants, a mouthwatering array of baked goods and house brew coffee.

When you are in Garosu-gil, do not forget to include Mr. Holmes Bakehouse into your must-go list.

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The bakery takes over the first level and that is where you can buy pastries to-go. If you are looking to chill there instead, head over to the staircase at the right side and you will be able to find the cafe on the second floor.

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The first thing we noticed was a marble countertop with a wide selection of baked goods enshrined behind polished glass. Pick what you like among the pastries that are available for the day and have it together with an aromatic cup of coffee.

Guests can choose to sit by the window and people watch—an excellent option for solo visitors who are there to do some work or simply dropping by for a relaxed afternoon tea session.

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Those who are unsure of what to get there may like to try they are known for—their signature Matcha Croissant (W4,400/ S$5.30) and Cruffin (W5,500/ S$6.62).

While we also enjoyed the Cruffin’s crispy exterior, we find the cream filling slightly too sweet for our liking. The cream fillings are rotational so you may be trying out a different flavour when you visit on different days.

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The Matcha Croissant really impressed us as it was extremely crusty and the airy layers are a dream come true for all croissant lovers.

Other croissant flavours include Cheese Croissant (W4,600/ S$5.54), Churro Croissant (4,500won/S$5.42) and Ferrero Rocher Croissant (W4,400/ S$5.30).

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Alternatively, you can also go for Strawberry Scone (W3,300/ S$3.97) or Sticky Bun With Salted Caramel (W4,400/ S$5.30).

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
34 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 547 2004
Daily: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa

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Garosu-gil is easily our favourite area in Seoul. Decked with quaint cafes, lifestyle boutiques, local labels, cosmetics shops and several international brands, the tree-lined street radiates charm like no other.

Every trip to Seoul sees us returning back to Garosu-gil and spending an entire day there, but time never seemed to be enough; there is just so many gems waiting to be discovered. Cafe-hopping or window shopping or simply people watching, you will love it at Garosu-gil all the same.

And because Seoul’s cafe scene is second to none, we have decided to compile a list of our favourite cafes, coffee shops and dessert places in Garosu-gil. Here, take a look why Seoul is the benchmark for cafes all around the world with our list of Garosu-gil cafes.

#1 BASILUR TEA AND COFFEE

You see, there are many simply joys in life, and we do not need fancy food and alcohol every day. Just an iced tea and a comfortable space to sit back and watch the world go by.

Basilur Tea And Coffee is one of those. Occupying the second and third level of a building in Garosu-gil, the space is perpetually packed but strange enough, the crowd does not overwhelm. And the splendour of the drinks house sure took our breath away.

Sinsa-dong Gangnam-gu 2nd floor 554
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#2 CAFE DE PARIS

Despite being hidden in an alley that is not visible from the main street, Cafe de Paris is hard to miss with its striking blue exterior and Parisian-style huge windows. Elegant and chic, Cafe de Paris is where the locals hang out to people-watch, while hiding away from the crowd in the main street.

Not much about eating here though; the cafe is more for casual drinks such as European coffee and tea. What is evidently popular is the signature Mango Smoothie (W16,000).

551-2 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tel: +822 5148282
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#3 COFFEE CHU

We first chanced upon this cafe when we were strolling the streets of Itaewon. For churros lovers like us, our eyes lit up upon realizing a whole menu of specialty churros. Coffee Chu is our answer to bad days, and we’ve had it several times now – their churros are mood lifters. The outlet at Garosu-gil is a lot more inviting with a stylish interior and balcony seats.

Though the menu includes many fancy churros such as Fritters Churros (W3,500) with flavours including berries, peanut, chocolate and nuts; we prefer ours plain with good ol’ chocolate dip. And it is only W3,500 per serving!

682-10, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(7 Itaewon-ro 54-gil)
Tel: +82 2 790 6821
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#4 COFFEESMITH

This is one huge coffee house when you need a drink. We took a while to digest the comprehensive drinks menu, but more than that, we were taken in by the sheer grandeur of Coffeesmith. It is easily one of the most elaborate coffee house in Garosu-gil with its multi-level outlet, and the fragrance of their brew lured us in.

The menu has drinks for both caffeine and non-caffeine drinker. Pick from a wide range of coffee and teas and juices, and read a magazine as you idle the afternoon away.

536-20, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-3445-3372
Mon to Thu, Sun: 9am – 1.30am
Fri & Sat: 9am – 2.30am
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#5 DEUX AMIS PATISSERIE

Deux Amis Patisserie is a terrific patisserie serving gorgeous cakes and tarts that will make anyone weak in the knees. It is one of our favourite places to go for desserts in Seoul. Try their Strawberry Tiramisu Tart and Caramel Cake.

535-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Tel: +82 2 3443 0030
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#6 DISH ROOM BY DORE DORE

We are absolutely in love with Dish Room. It was one of those love-at-first-sight moments for us, and we knew we had to step in for a midday perk-me-up. Priding themselves to serving a menu that emphasizes “eat well, live well”, Dish Room by Dore Dore has a display of salads and healthy warm food to pamper its patrons.

What would get your attention, we reckon, is the stunning cakes display. They are tall and majestic, and any cake lover will be sold. From rainbow to many other layered cream cakes, Dish Room by Dore Dore is a must-go when in Garosu-gil.

Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, 546-18, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02-511-2115
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#7 IKOVOX COFFEE

Another cafe that pays homage to good coffee is Ikovox Coffee. It may seem like an unassuming corner unit in one of the smaller streets of Garosu-gil, but it sure is no less popular among locals and tourists alike. The outlet is always packed with coffee lovers who just need a relaxing space to settle down with friends while sipping a seriously good cuppa.

Ikovox Coffee is definitely your thing if you are one of those serious coffee drinker. Perhaps, you can pop by during lunch hour as it is significantly less crowded then.

I tae won 1 dong, Seoul, 140-863, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-2790-5578
Daily: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Itaewon Station

#8 GINKGO AVENUE

This is easily one of the prettiest cafes in Garosu-gil. We fell in love with it immediately upon stepping in to its premise. It was a breezy afternoon, and we picked the table at the balcony so that we could people-watch while enjoying brunch. The cafe has a small menu, but it was enough to please. Brunch was Croque Madame (W5,800) and Green Tea Waffles (W9,000 for 2 pieces and 2 scoops of ice cream) for us. And boy, did we enjoy our waffles! Fans of Bingsu, you will be entertained here too with four different creations.

Ginkgo Avenue is also dedicated to bringing you quality brew. With a roastery on the third level, they put their heart and soul into roasting the best coffee beans for patrons; we sure loved our Hand Drip Coffee (W7,500).

Sin sa dong, Seoul, 100-411, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-548-8620
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#9 GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK

The name of the cafe does not quite make sense and we raised our brows when we first heard about it. Plus, it requires a bit of walking from the main side of Garosu-gil. But take that stroll and you will be welcomed by a small yet stunning cafe.

The monochrome-theme cafe is known for their cheesecakes, and while we thought it was just slightly underwhelming, it is still a nice and quite space for a little break from all that walking. The coffee is pretty decent, by the way!

161 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 41, Sin sa dong, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70-4220-2014
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#10 LA POMME DESSERT CAFE

This two-storey space is a favourite we found from our first trip three years ago. Previously known as X, La Pomme Dessert Cafe has since been given a little revamp. Its popularity remains unchanged, and it sees a crowd daily at its cosy unit.

The cakes and desserts are prepared fresh in-house, and they are all so pretty. We like the seats by the windows; don’t you too?

Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu, a 10-way 35, Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-889, South
Tel: +82 2-545-4508
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#11 LAY BRICKS

We did a second take when we stumbled upon Lay Bricks. On first impression, we thought it was a mini factory of sorts, but hell we were wrong; it is an industrial-style cafe that is so bloody sexy! The space is well, predominantly laid with bricks (hence its name, perhaps), and sewing machines and oil tins are used as tables and chairs.

It is one of those secret hideouts where you can escape from the madness of the world and just enjoy some cold brew at, we’d like to think.

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 46, Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-890, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-545-5513
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#12 LATTE KING

It seems Koreans have a thing for cold brew. And another place to go to for cold brew is Latte King, this hole-in-the-wall cafe that serves cold brew on tap. It is a little inconspicuous from the main road, but look out for the iconic cat logo and you are on your way to some summer thirst-quenchers.

Choose from Cold Brew Ice Coffee (W4,300), Cold Brew Coffee Beer (W4,800), or Cold Brew Hibiscus (W4,300). There are also many juices to pick from if you prefer something without caffeine!

15 12 (giljeom avenue), Sin sa dong, Seoul, 133-848, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-544-0729
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#13 LINE FRIENDS STORE & CAFE

Line Friends Store & Cafe was one of our first stops during our recent trip to Seoul, and you would not believe how excited we were. The multi-level outlet features hugeee merchandise sections and a cafe, and is filled with excitement and laughter of all like-minded fans of Line.

Be seated at the cafe and to tuck in to the cutest Line Friends macarons and brownies. We don’t know how you are gonna do it but we didn’t even have the heart to bite into our Brown and Cony macarons!

535-15, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#14 MINOS COFFEECULT

Sitting just next to Forever21′s flagship boutique at the start of Garosu-Gil is Minos Coffeecult, one of the best places to rest your feet in between shopping. There are both indoor and outdoor seating. Step in for a cuppa and to simply zone out while the world goes by. We love how Minos Coffeecult has a wide range of magazines; great alternative to an idyllic afternoon at Garosu-Gil, yes?

Minos Coffeecult uses coffee beans from Anthracite Coffee Roasters. Don’t like caffeine? Minos also has other drinks such as Sweet Pumpkin Latte, Marron Latte and Green Tea Latte at W6,200 each.

Hallym 547-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, 2nd floor, Sin sa dong, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70-8818-4601
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#15 MUG FOR RABBIT

Intriguing and inviting, Mug For Rabbit spots a slightly industrial look juxtaposed with Parisian chairs. Loud tracks fill the cafe, and the crowd in there is a good-looking one. The two-storey unit is yet another place for you to rest your feet over drinks and hearty chats, and we especially love that mezzanine.

We say go in and grab a quick juice, kick your shoes off and let your hair down. By night, Mug For Rabbit transform into an alluring space with long-hanging and dimly-lit lamps.

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 53 (boulevard second store), Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-3443-7488
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#16 OSULLOC CAFE

Osulloc is a tea salon that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island. With an extensive menu of different teas – both hot and iced – and an assortment of green tea desserts such as swiss rolls and tiramisu, there will always be something to fall in love with.

It is a cosy cafe with a very inviting laid-back vibe. Wooden furnitures dominate the facade, sounds of ice blending and excitement from patrons fill the space; the lights are kept dim, but just as well, because no matter what time it is out there, we just want to recline into our seats and immerse ourselves into this relaxing environment while enjoying our green tea everything.

175 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 6 (Apgujeong points), Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-892, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-3448-5967
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#17 REMICONE

This soft serve lab is one you must not miss! You see that smiley soft serve there? Yes, you deserve an award for being so cute.

Build your own soft serve here at Remicone. The first step is to choose ‘cup or ‘cone’. Then, pick a flavour - milk, salted caramel or chocolate. Top it off with your choice of honey caviar, cotton thunder, hazelnut crumble, honey chip, popping sugar or fleur de sel. There you have it. Now, take out your cameras and snap a dozen of photos, then share it on your social media platforms!

Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu, a 14-way 24-, Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-890, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-6207-1029
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#18 SARUBIA

This retro-looking place had us feeling like we stumbled upon a gem at the back alley. Sarubia is slightly off the main street, but it is not difficult to spot. Look for out the display of mismatched chairs lining the entrance, and don’t forget to grab a photo at the iconic exterior.

On the menu, put your attention to the pasta section – Aglio Olio (W16,000), Seafood (W19,000), and Carbonara (W17,000). Want some pizzas? There is the Margherita (W20,000) and Rucola (W21,000).

153 Road in Gangnam Nonhyeon 57, Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-540-7344
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2am
Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#19 THE FLYING PAN

Talk about beautiful white spaces and flowers in abundance! The Flying Pan is one like that, and the timeless elegance had our hearts. Stepping in to the slightly Parisian cafe gives us a strange sense of familiarity, yet took us by surprise altogether. Every detail of The Flying Pan is something to discover, and it is little wonder this cafe is ever popular with the locals.

The menu is a typical European one, with signatures including Free Range Eggs Benedict (W15,000), Bacon French Toast (W15,000), and Mentaiko & Leek Pasta (W16,000). It may not be the cheapest place to dine at, but it sure is a lovely cafe to spend some time with your loved ones.

Road 8, Sin sa dong, Seoul, 135-889, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-514-5585
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

For more recommendations, read our guides on the best places you must visit in Seoul.

Line Friends Store & Cafe was one of our first stops during our recent trip to Seoul, and you would not believe how excited we were. We couldn’t even believe it ourselves; who would have thought that a few characters would make us lose our composure?!

So it happened. We were like kids at Line Friends Store & Cafe, Seoul. It was like stepping in to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory; maybe even better. The multi-level outlet features hugeee merchandise sections and a cafe, and is filled with excitement and laughter of all like-minded fans of Line.

Situated in Garosu-gil, Line Friends Store & Cafe sees a crowd that comprises both Koreans and visitors from all over the world since the Line app started taking the world by storm. It is a must-visit when in Seoul.

Brown greets everyone who steps in, and boy, was Brown gigantic! Want some photos with the very cuddly bear? Join the queue. We did, too!

The first floor is the main merchandise level, and it was impossible to stay calm. The sheer plethora of merchandise includes stationery, bags, plush toys and more plush toys. The selection of plush toys alone is enough to make you go broke. Brown, Cony, Lennard, Sally… they are all waiting for you to adopt them!

Then, we have more merchandise at the basement level, together with the cafe where you can be seated and to tuck in to the cutest Line Friends macarons. We don’t know how you are gonna do it but we didn’t even have the heart to bite into our Brown and Cony macarons!

Want to do more shopping? Head up to the second level for Line Friends apparels, with selections for both adults and children. So many printed tees and sweaters, so many cute caps for kids, and then there are the hair accessories; fancy a Sally hairband?

We had so much fun at Line Friends Store & Cafe just taking photos, choosing who to bring home, gushing over macarons, and simply living in the moment where all fans of Line forget the worries of the world while reliving the inner kid in us. The next time we go to Seoul, we are sure to visit to bring more plush toys home!

Line Friends Store & Cafe Seoul
535-15, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Nearest Station: Sinsa

O’sulloc is a tea salon in Seoul that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island, with branches in Myeongdong, Apgujeong, Insadong and Daehangno.

Over at its Myeongdong outlet, green tea lovers are seen unwinding at the three-storey cafe over tea and desserts. With an extensive menu of different teas – both hot and iced – and an assortment of green tea desserts such as swiss rolls and tiramisu, there will always be something to fall in love with.

Needless to say, a place like O’sulloc is a place for us.

It is a cosy cafe with a very inviting laid-back vibe. Wooden furnitures dominate the facade, sounds of ice blending and excitement from patrons fill the space; the lights are kept dim, but just as well, because no matter what time it is out there, we just want to recline into our seats and immerse ourselves into this relaxing environment while enjoying our green tea everything.

The classic Green Tea Latte is evidently less milky than the usual ones we’d have, but we love this version for other reasons – the fragrance of freshly grounded green tea powder is strong, the texture of the drink is thick yet goes down so smoothly, leaving hints of the tea’s bitter aftertaste; just the way we like it.

Swiss rolls sit prettily in the glass cabinet, and we heard they are fantastic. We had the Green Tea Tiramisu that was nothing short of amazing too. Expect nothing like your usual Italian pick-me-up; O’sulloc’s Green Tea Tiramisu is more like a mousse cake that has an airy and creamy center married with green tea powder to produce a light dessert that is surprisingly still dimensional in taste.

If you are up for more tea goodness, there is a selection of Oolong Tea and Herb Tea. The ones who are up for something sweet will be spoilt with their flavoured tea lattes; think Fig Tea Latte, Green Tea Caramel Latte and Tangerine Milk Tea.

And surely we aren’t the only ones who want to bring a piece of O’sulloc home? The merchandise corner is where you should stop by before you take your leave. We were mind-boggled by the incredible variety of teas available for take-home, and they sure make great gifts!

O’sulloc Tea House
47-1 Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2-774-5460
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

Korean BBQ, Kimchi jjigae (stew), ginseng chicken soup, bulgogi, kimchi pancake, Korean-style fried chicken, bibimbap… Korean cuisine revolves around rice, kimchi, and lots of meat. The Koreans love their BBQ, but food in Korea is more than that. There are restaurants and local eateries along every street, each specialising in their respective dishes.

Here is a guide on where to eat in Seoul, featuring a few of our favourite Korean BBQ restaurants, a traditional Korean restaurant that serves 30 classic banchans, the most popular ginseng chicken soup restaurant, and several outstanding cafes with brilliant concepts.

#1 Brother Korean Food Restaurant

We did midnight shopping at Dong Dae Mun every other day when at Seoul, and we would not return to the hotel without having a hearty supper here. It is located beside Art Plaza and Studio W Shopping Mall, in an alley that houses many other eateries and serve to all the staff working in the vicinity.

#2 Deux Amis

A cafe that we like in Garosil-gil is Deux Amis, a terrific patisserie serving gorgeous cakes and tarts that will make anyone weak in the knees. It is a must-stop for desserts when you are in Seoul. Try their Strawberry Tiramisu Tart and Caramel Cake.

Deux Amis is also listed in our guide to dessert spots in Seoul.

535-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Tel: +82 2 3443 0030
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#3 Han Chu Korean Fried Chicken

If you ask locals where to go for the best Korean fried chicken in Seoul, many will point you to Han Chu Korean Fried Chicken Restaurant. The fried chicken, while not as meaty as we would like it to be, was still very good – especially the spicy rendition which was spicy, tangy and very addictive.

549-9 Shinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu Seoul
Tel: 02 3446 5778
Daily: 5pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Apgujeong

#4 Lepure Cafe

A bright and cheerful cafe in the day, Lepure Cafe transforms into a nice and enchanting little Japanese corner in the evening as the lights are dimmed and candles are placed on each table. Lepure has a concise Japanese-inspired dessert menu which features pretty creations like Chocolate Roll Cake, Strawberry Short Cake, Cheesecake and Chocolate Tart (5,000 won – 5,800 won/ S$5.60 – S$6.50) – which optimises quality ingredients to give every item a premium taste. The juice list is also impressive, leaving us spoilt for choice for organic options.

Lepure Cafe is also listed in our guide to dessert spots in Seoul.

1F 534-8 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
(35 Apgujeong-ro 10 gil)
Tel: +82 2 545 4508
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#5 Glamorous Penguin

Itaewon is known for its diverse range of restaurants – offering anything from Thai food to Spanish tapas and Mexican tacos – but the area also has plenty of nice cafes too, and one of the places that we like is Glamorous Penguin, tucked at a back alley off the main road near Hangangjin station.

The three-story café has pretty good cakes – think red velvet, carrot cake, raspberry cake, maple apple cake (7,000 won for a slice) – and if the weather is good, get a table at the rooftop and read a book while enjoying a cuppa.

Glamorous Penguin is also listed in our guide to 10 cafes in Seoul.

743-41 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(Itaewon-ro 49-gil)
Tel: +82 2 790 7178
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#6 Hong Gi Wa Zip

You know you are in the right place when there are only locals dining in the establishment. We stumbled upon this homely Korean restaurant when we were wandering in the Hongdae area. Besides the popular Samgyetang, they also serve the classic dishes like Kamjatang (25,000 for small) – spicy boiled pigs rib; Possam (25,000 won for small) – boiled pork slices with kimchi; and the very delicious Takdori (25,000 won for small) – spicy boiled chicken soup.

347-29 Seogyo-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02 324 9858
Nearest Station: Hongik University

#7 Jiyugaoka

There are many cafes in the Samcheong-dong area, but Jiyugaoka deserves a special mention. We love that the café is not only small and cosy, but it also has good cakes, all freshly baked by the owners daily on site. The café is perfumed with the lovely scent of the baked goods, and we love sitting by the al fresco table to people-watch.

Jiyugaoka is also listed in our guide to 10 cafes in Seoul.

Yunposun-gil 46
Tel: +82 2 6487 6156
Nearest station: Anguk

#8 Maple Tree House

Located behind Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon is Maple Tree House, a posh BBQ restaurant known for serving premium meats. Prices here are much steeper than the usual Korean BBQ restaurants, but the reason why regulars come back again and again is because of its signature Korean Jeju Black Pork Belly (17,900 won for 160g) and premium Korean Beef Sirloin (34,900 won for 150g).

Hamilton Hotel 2F, 116-1 Itaewon dong
Yong san gu, Seoul
Tel: 02 790 7977
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Itaweon

#9 N Grill

If you are making a trip to the N Seoul Tower, we would recommend to have a meal at N Grill. N Grill is a revolving restaurant at the top of the N Seoul Tower and it offers a birds’ eye view of the city. N Grill has a fantastic set lunch which is reasonably-priced for the quality. Good steaks in a nice ambience with a terrific view.

1-3 Yongsandong 2(i)ga-dong
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 3455 9297
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeong-dong

#10 Na Ri Sik Dang

Another place which we stumbled upon is Na Ri Sik Dang. It is a neighbourhood joint where locals frequent for its BBQ pork belly (11,000 won). We also had the Bean Paste Stew (7,000), which was the best that we had during this trip.

To find Na Ri Sik Dang, look out for the alley in between Audi Showroom and Trevia Italian Restaurant. It is a few minutes walk from the station.

8 Itaewon-ro 49-gil
Tel: 02 793 4860
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#11 No 813 BBQ Restaurant

This Korean BBQ restaurant in Garosil-gil offers several value-for-money sets which range from . The set that we ordered came with beef flank, beef sirloin, homemade sausage, pumpkin, mushroom and an egg stew.

Gangnam-daero 152-gil
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

#12 Passion 5

This is a chic concept destination with 5 different categories of dining all under one roof –- gelato corner, bakery take-out station, patisserie and café, chocolatier and a full-fledged restaurant. If you love desserts like we do, you must make a trip to Passion 5 when you are in Seoul.

Passion 5 is also listed in our guide to 10 cafes in Seoul.

272, Itaewon-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9507
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#13 Sigol Bapsang

Our top pick is Sigolbapsang, a small traditional Korean restaurant at Hannam-dong, which is just ten-minute walk from Itaewon station. For 8,000 won, you can sample up to 30 classic banchans. Be surprised by the spread of traditional and modern dishes, and enjoy your experience in a rustic setting that radiates the old Seoul charm. And yes, you can have them refilled. Sigol Bapsang opens for 24 hours daily, so if you are feeling hungry at night, here is a spot that you can drop by.

738-17 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: 82 2 793 5390
Nearest Station: Itaweon/Hangangjin station

#14 Take out drawing

Take out drawing is a gorgeous two-story café, which doubles as an exhibition space. It serves a variety of organic beverages alongside delicious baked goods. This is a trendy spot where you can easily spend a day catching up with friends.

Take out drawing is also listed in our guide to 10 cafes in Seoul.

140-861, Itaewon-dong (Noksapyeong),
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 2 790 2637
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#15 Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken

The most famous Korean Ginseng Chicken restaurant in Seoul, Tosokchon is a must-visit when you are in the city. There is only ginseng chicken on the menu, and when a restaurant is brave enough to dish out only one signature, we expect a lot. And indeed, it lives up to the hype. We would suggest coming here for lunch before visiting Gyeongbokgung palace, which is just located 5 minutes away.

5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 737 7444
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 2)

#16 Yoogane

This may be a restaurant chain, but they serve good chicken galbi. A meal here is relatively affordable – they charge by per person, and you can choose from a menu of meat and seafood combinations, We opted for the spicy chicken and marinated octopus (9,000/pax). Together with kimchi, potato and rice, the chicken galbi kept our souls happy in between shopping at Myeongdong.

3-1 Myeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +02 3789 3392
Nearest Station: Myeong-dong

#17 55 Beonji Ramyon

We chanced upon this ramyon shop when we were exploring Samcheong-dong. Tucked in a narrow alley, 55 Beonji Ramyon is easy to miss if you are not looking out for it. What makes their ramyon stand out is the use of seasoned red pepper paste sauce and a specially prepared soup base. On the menu, you can find different variations of ramyon such as Seafood Fried Ramen (13,000 won), Bulgogi Ramen (9,000 won), and Jiamppong Ramen (7,500 won).

55-1 Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
(44-6 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil)
Tel: +82 2 722 2997
Nearest station: Anguk

For more recommendations, read our guide on 10 Things to do in Seoul.

K-pop fans probably do not need any convincing to visit Seoul – the capital of Korea, and one of the most exciting cities in Asia. But even if you do not know Girls’ Generation or Super Junior, there are still plenty of reasons to head to Seoul. If you still need any further persuading to book a holiday there, here is a list of our favourite dessert spots in Seoul.

Passion 5

If you ask us to recommend just one place in Seoul, it will be Passion 5. They have five different categories of dining all under one roof – gelato corner, bakery take-out station, patisserie and café, chocolatier and a full-fledged restaurant. Trust us, you will be tempted to order all the cakes from the patisserie.

Passion 5 is also listed as one of our 10 favourite cafes in Seoul.

272, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9507
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Be-witch Private Label Gourmet

The cakes at Be-witch are not cheap – 14,850 won (S$16.50) for a Strawberry Cheesecake and 13,750 won (S$15.40) for a Red Velvet – but what you get is good quality cakes done with love and care. The cafe itself is small (only 2 tables) and it is the perfect place to go for a break when you are in Garosugil.

533-8 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-Gu
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Deux Amis Patisserie

Further down the road from Be*witch is Deux Amis, a terrific patisserie serving gorgeous cakes and tarts that will make anyone weak in the knees. It is a must-stop for desserts when you are in Seoul. Try their Strawberry Tiramisu Tart and Caramel Cake.

535-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Tel: +82 2 3443 0030
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Life is just a cup of cake

If you are cafe-hopping in the Itaewon-ro area, a place that is worth visiting is Life is just a cup of cake, a cute little cupcake bakery. There are the usual flavours (4,800 won each) like Chocolate, Berry, Tiramisu and Vanilla, but for something different, we recommend their White Chocolate Earl Grey and Blueberry Cream Cheese.

738-16 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu
Tel: +82 2 794 2908
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Kyotofu

Kyotofu, New York’s favourite modern Japanese dessert bar, is also in Seoul. Believe the hype, Kyotofu has really good desserts. Even if you do not have a sweet tooth, they have a selection of savoury Japanese food on the menu.

268 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

442 Yeongdeungpodong 4(sa)-ga (15 Yeongjung-ro)
Times Square, Yeongdeungpo-gu
Tel: +82 2 749 1488
Nearest Station: Yeongdeungpo

Lepure Cafe

A bright and cheerful cafe in the day, Lepure Cafe transforms into a nice and enchanting little Japanese corner in the evening as the lights are dimmed and candles are placed on each table. Lepure has a concise Japanese-inspired dessert menu which features pretty creations like Chocolate Roll Cake, Strawberry Short Cake, Cheesecake and Chocolate Tart (5,000 won – 5,800 won/ S$5.60 – S$6.50) – which optimises quality ingredients to give every item a premium taste. The juice list is also impressive, leaving us spoilt for choice for organic options.

1F 534-8 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
(35 Apgujeong-ro 10 gil)
Tel: +82 2 545 4508
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

For more recommendations, read our guide on where to eat in Seoul.