Seoul Eats: 10 Must-Try Korean Dessert Cafes for a Sugar Overdose
Carissa Ng Carissa is fascinated by globalisation, the beauty of nature and the interdependence of diverse cultures. Her mind constantly drifts off to dreams of travelling around the world, because she wants to explore every continent and city. She is also a sleepyhead-sloth who has a huge weakness for rainbows, sushi, all things Korean, and adorable chubby babies.
If you have a sweet tooth or simply looooove desserts, this is THE list for you! Seoul has a plethora of eclectic dessert cafes serving treats beyond bingsu and honeycomb ice-cream; in fact, some desserts served are simply beyond your imagination!
Add this list of cafes in Seoul to your go-to list the next time you head to Korea for some oh-seoul-delicious desserts. These lesser-known patisseries and cafes will delight your tastebuds with amazing gustatory creations! As we all know, dessert belongs to another stomach. So don’t worry about not having enough stomach space – eat first, think later! Also, get ready to snap TONS of photos for your Instagram page!
1. Billy Angel Cake Company
Image credit: Billy Angel Cake Company
As they say, life’s sweeter with a little cake. And who can deny that?! It’s a definite perk-me-up whenever you’re tired and lacking that extra shot of glucose. Best known for its minimalist white decor, Billy Angel Cafe is a quaint hideout to relax over sweet treats and assorted drinks. The MUST-ORDER item would be the rainbow crepe cake for sure. I don’t know about you but I sure have a weakness for colourful desserts. Just take a look at how pretty it is! All the colours of the rainbow in perfect symphony, coated with layers of fresh cream in between. YUM.
Image credit: Billy Angel Cake Company
Another crowd pleaser and Insta-favourite would be the Rose Mojito, complete with delicate pink-purplish petals within! The pretty ombre shades just make it so mesmerising to look at. If crepe cakes aren’t your thing, you can always try their other varieties of cakes such as Cherry Cheese Cake, Banana Coconut Cake, Carrot Cake and more! They also have an extensive list of coffees, teas and smoothies that will leave you spoilt for choice.
Address: 338-16 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Hongik University
2. Cafe Bora
Image credit: Cafe Bora
To the uninitiated, “bora” means purple in Korean. This explains why Cafe Bora specialises in PURPLE desserts, true to its name! Well I’m not sure if “healthy desserts” actually exist, but the offerings in Cafe Bora sure come close! Made from natural ingredients sourced all over the country, these light desserts are definitely gentle on the waistline. Its signature desserts would be the sweet potato ice-cream and bingsu! The ice-cream in particular is so creamy, silky and smooth – perfect for the hot summer weather.
Image credit: Cafe Bora
They even have sweet potato chips served together with a candied walnut sauce that acts as an appetiser – it’s served with every bingsu ordered! Also, remember to try the peanut ice-cream as well, it’s absolutely addictive.
Address: Yulgongno 3-gil 75-3, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Anguk Station Exit 1
3. Frank’s Cafe
Image credit: Frank’s Cafe
It’s yet another rainbow dessert – sponge cakes! Who can resist rainbow-coloured desserts?! Not me, that’s for sure. And apparently many other Koreans and tourists alike think so too! These vibrant cake rolls are produced twice a day at 12pm and 4pm, and are promptly sold out within an hour on weekdays and 10 MINUTES on weekends. That is insane. So you better make sure you get there in time if you want a taste of those gorgeous rolls! If you’re afraid that it will be overpoweringly sweet, fret not! The cake is coloured with natural ingredients, not artificial colourings, and is filled with earl grey custard cream that is light and not cloyingly sweet.
Image credit: Frank’s Cafe
Other than their famous rainbow roll cakes, they also have an assortment of other desserts that taste equally good! The popular grape tarts in particular are really tasty.
Address: 258-228 Itaewon(2)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Noksapyeong Station Exit 2
4. The Menagerie
Image credit: Amuteun
The Menagerie is home to the cutest animal cupcakes you will ever find in Seoul! Just look at how adorable they are...Can you bear to eat them?! This luxurious French bakery also sells assorted pastries, gourmet bread, macarons and gelato. It may be pricier than Paris Baguette but it’s well worth every extra dollar. Make sure you try out their frozen yoghurt as well on a hot summer day – the mango and grapefruit flavours are superbly refreshing!
Address: 4-5 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Cheongdam
5. Miki Pang D. Cafe
Image credit: Jaydene1115 and Hyun.ha
Miki Pang Dessert Cafe is a whimsical, vibrant hideout for every adult to indulge in AS MANY ice-creams as you want – with no fear of getting judged. Just eat your heart out. The bestseller and Insta-favourite is none other than the honey flower ice cream, complete with EDIBLE flowers. Yes, you read that right. The flowers taste light and sweet, adding subtle flavours to the vanilla soft serve. Quickly snap as many photos as you can before it starts melting. But do note – this is a seasonal favourite so it doesn’t come by easily!
Image credit: Leehyojin and Mikipang and Melaney_lee
Aside from the honey flower ice cream, they also offer other equally yummy soft-serve combinations such as Yoghurt Pasta Ice Cream, Chocolate Bingsu and soft-serve milkshakes! Don’t worry too much about the calories – you deserve to eat only the best when on holiday.
Address: 34-4 Apgujeong-ro 12-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (2nd floor)
Closest Metro Station: Sinsa Station Exit 8
6. Macameron
Image credit: Macameron
Another crowd-teaser featuring a multicoloured macaron shell and berry yoghurt ice-cream, this combination will leave you smiling in pure bliss. Don’t the vibrant macaron shells exude cheerful vibes, brightening your day? The berry yoghurt ice-cream is not overwhelmingly sweet, and blends well with the crisp and chewy texture of the shell.
Image credit: Macameron
Macameron is a small quaint cafe tucked away in the corner of Itaewon, perfect for a chill afternoon. Despite its limited menu offerings, Macameron makes up for it in terms of quality. Choose from either macaron ice-creams, macaron milk mountains, or eclairs, and treat your stomach to a sweet dessert!
Address: Itaewon 2-dong 225-143, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Noksapyeong Station Exit 2
7. Snow Spoon Cafe
Image credit: Melissa Cheok and Kim Ji Yeong
Check out those funky-looking popsicles! Snow Spoon Cafe is a prominent two-storey cafe in Hongdae, selling all types of desserts from frozen yoghurt, gelato ice-cream, macarons, bingsu, and popsicles. Go crazy at this dessert heaven! They have fruit-flavoured popsicles such as blueberry, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple & orange and more...As well as whacky popsicles such as Mango Tree, Sweety Lady, Kaka Smile, and others. Don’t be fooled by its appearance – some desserts don’t taste as nice as they look, but these popsicles are incredibly refreshing and creamy.
Address: 364-15 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Hapjeong Station Exit 3
8. Monster Cupcakes
Image credit: Myseoulsearching and Monstercupcakes
Monster Cupcakes is a quirky and eclectic cafe vastly different from your typical dessert store. Here, they sell all sorts of fanciful and grotesque cupcakes, ranging from decapitated fingers, bloody eyeballs and more! These cupcakes are intricately decorated with homemade cookies, fondant, or even gummies for that extra realistic effect. In addition, they taste as good as they look! Light, creamy and flavourful, every bite just melts in your mouth.
Image credit: Monstercupcakes
If you get a little thirsty, how about some monster’s blood to go along with your cupcake? These flavoured fizzy sodas will be great props for some funny photos! It’s refreshing and not overly fizzy at all.
Address: 305-7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Noksapyeong Station Exit 2
9. SONA Cafe
Image credit: r1nacan and zyxpyc
Home to decadent desserts that will satisfy all your guilty pleasures, SONA is a dessert cafe that you must visit. Just take a look at that exquisite beauty! Can you even bear to break that gorgeous pink delicate shell? This is the Champagne Sugar Ball, comprising champagne foam, edible flowers, cheesecake snow, strawberry panna cotta and fresh strawberry slices. Crack the shell open and pour warm strawberry consomme over before eating!
Another house speciality is Oh! Chocolate, comprising New York Breakfast Tea-infused brulee, 70% flourless Guanaja chocolate cake, milk chocolate mousse, Varlhona pearl crunch chocolate, and Madagascar vanilla ice cream. What an absolute delight! Here comes the best part – pour hot chocolate sauce on top of the chocolate layer and watch it slowly melt and fall apart, revealing the rest of the ingredients.
Address: 520-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Sinsa Station Exit 3
10. IMI Cafe
Image credit: by_hohobean and berrykan_mom
This quaint little cafe is run by two brothers – a barista and a baker – it’s no wonder that they’ve made so many unique dessert creations! Imi serves a fresh cream orange bingsu that is truly one of a kind. Served in a large coffee mug and topped off with whipped cream, anybody would mistake it to be coffee at first. It is delightfully refreshing as the citrus juice melts into finely shaved ice. Every mouthful you take will leave you in sheer exuberance.
Image credit: mayopenguini
Aside from their signature orange bingsu, they also sell an assortment of delectable cakes in strawberry, mango and peach flavours, or a French-styled cake with cheese served in an orange. You’ll definitely have a hard time choosing what to order!
Address: 201-10 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest Metro Station: Hongik University Station Exit 1
Is your stomach grumbling yet? Don’t blame me for all the extra calories you will gain after consuming these desserts – I bet every single bite left you jumping for joy! Head to Seoul right now and indulge!