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.

The Seoul City never sleeps; shops open till an astonishing 4.30am! Jet-lagged? Fret not. The beautiful cafes and aromatic coffees in Seoul will definitely liven up your soul. In every corner of every street, there would be at least one pretty café waiting for your entrance.

In my recent trip, I have narrowed my list to 5 cafes in Seoul that are notably worth making a trip to. You can immerse yourself into the land of Hello Kitty, sink your teeth into tea flavoured desserts, sip your beverage with 30 purring cats, eat your pasta in bowls made of bread and sample meat infused with tofu.

Let’s go on a cafe hopping adventure in Seoul!

Hello Kitty Café

Get ready to be blown away by the dramatic décors of this amazing Hello Kitty Cafe. Everywhere you look, there would be a Kitty staring right in your face – the food you eat, the latte you drink, the sofa seat you sit on, the wallpapers you gaze at, the tables where your mobile phone rests and even the toilets, are not spared from Hello Kitty.

Located in Hongdae (Hongik University) district, Hello Kitty Café is extremely popular with students of Hongik University. The food and drinks are immensely sweet and will certainly curb your cravings for desserts. To sum up this place in two words: Sugar rush. Don’t you want to teleport yourself there already and relieve those childhood memories?

Seoul 358-112 Seogyo
Tel: +82 2 334 6570
Daily: 11am – 12midnight

//

O’sulloc Tea House

O’sulloc is a famous Korean teahouse that serves fragrant teas and appetising tea flavoured desserts. The products are made from Jeju Island’s excellent tea-leaves. The café’s wooden modern interiors are incredibly spacious, promising you superior food and beverages, as well as quality comfort and services.

Don’t forget to order a pot of tasty sweet smelling orange black tea. Complete your meal with rounded slices of black tea cake and green tea tiramisu. Can’t get enough of O’sulloc tea? Purchase a few boxes of tea-leaves and share them with fellow family and friends!

Cheonghwi Bldg. 1st Fl.,
33-1, Myeong-dong 2(i)-ga
Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 774 5460
Mon to Thu: 9am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 11pm

Lily Cat Café

If Hello Kitty Café isn’t enough for you cat lovers, visit Lily Cat Café where you will be greeted by approximately 30 friendly cats. The eating area and the cats’ playroom are in two separate entities, separated by a glass door. So if your companion is afraid of cats or has an allergy, he/she can still dine there and watch you play. Hygiene is of top priority and you are required to sanitize your hands before entering the playroom.

Yes, you can pat the cats and treat them like your own, exciting isn’t it? Food cannot be brought into the playroom but beverages are allowed inside. The entrance fee and the price of food are really cheap so do not miss out on this wonderful chance! Cats aside, we strongly recommend the delicious red bean shaved ice dessert and refreshing kiwi juice.

53-11 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga,
Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 318 2464
Daily: 9am – 11pm

//

Primo Bacio Baci

This Italian Cafe is always packed because everyone wants a portion of this goodness. It is advisable for you to visit Primo Bacio Baci with someone who can speak Korean. The English menu is not very helpful and employees are unable to speak English. Most pasta dishes are served in bowls made of bread – a trademark of Primo Bacio Baci.

Do try the squid ink pasta or classic carbonara. Dig your fork into the thick yummy pasta sauce and you will find several types of pastas submerged beneath. Best of all, complimentary mouthwatering sorbets (choose between mango and strawberry flavours) are presented to customers upon completion of their mains.

Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong 346-47
Seoul South Korea
Tel: +82-2-323-0098

Kyotofu

Kyotofu is an artisanal dessert & brunch place that was first founded in New York. Located in Times Square (biggest shopping mall of Seoul), Kyotofu sells bite size savory food and desserts made of Japanese ingredients. Health gurus would be pleased to hear that tofu is the main component of these fanciful lip-smacking foods. Do not under estimate these petite dishes – they have received numerous awards in New York i.e. “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Cupcake NYC”. We also particularly enjoyed the mini crab-tofu burgers.

Great news for Singaporeans: The staff disclosed to us that they would be opening Kyotofu in Singapore soon! So if you feel like sampling these delights, you don’t have to fly all the way to NYC/Seoul.

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

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.