Taste of Seoul! Every year since 2019, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has selected 100 restaurants that represent the city's unique gastronomic culture.
This year, Seoul Gastronomy Week was held from November 8th to 14th, with a variety of unique events and programs for everyone to enjoy, including the Seoul Gastronomy Tour, an invitation to taste something different together. The theme is, of course, dessert!
 

Desserts are an integral part of gastronomy. No matter where you go in the world, there are few places where the quality of desserts is as high as in Korea and Seoul. That's why we chose a separate category for cafes and desserts in the Seoul Gastronomy 100, and selected a total of five patisseries that you can confidently introduce to your family, out-of-town acquaintances, foreign friends, and anyone else you want to try. Many of them have been visited more than ten times, and each one is amazing and wonderful. Even though it was only a one-day tour, the experience of six of us eating dessert and having fun together will stay with me for a long time to come. And even though the tour is over, the shops are still there, so I hope you can experience Seoul's gastronomy at least once in your life.

 

1. First course - Under bake

Instagram: @_underbake
Address: 1F, 12-8, Hoenamu-ro 13ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Reason for Selection: Burdock ice cream macarons, a Korean ingredient meets French dessert.
 

We wanted to introduce this place to you while planning a tour in the Itaewon neighborhood, which is very accessible to tourists from different regions and countries, as well as to attractions. Run by pastry chef Cho Eun-hye, who previously worked at Kwon Sook-soo, which was included in the Seoul Gourmet 100 for Korean food, this dessert shop is a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet alleyway 15 minutes from Noksapyeong Station.
 

While classic desserts such as Saint Honoré and crème brûlée are delicious, it's the burdock ice cream macaron that always comes to mind first. Burdock ice cream is sandwiched between chewy biscuits, topped with burdock chips and smoked burdock powder, and then pressed up and down firmly before eating like a hamburger. The sweet and fragrant flavor and aroma of burdock makes you realize that burdock, which is usually eaten as a filling or side dish in kimbap, can shine as a main ingredient in desserts. Of course, like I said, the other desserts are all good. I tried the tarte tatin for the first time on this tour, which looks like it's baked in a whole tin but is actually layered with thinly sliced apples and simmered to perfection. It tasted like a perfect fall delight.

 

2. Second course - le péché mignon

Instagram: @pechemignon_heejung
Address: 2F, 3-3, Noksapyeong-daero 40ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Reason for Selection: The best moussecake in Seoul.

No discussion of desserts in the Itaewon neighborhood would be complete without mentioning this place. Le Pêche Mignon, whose name literally means “small sin” or, more idiomatically, “favorite dessert,” is the first patisserie that comes to mind when it comes to picking a favorite mousse cake in Seoul right now. Kim's cakes are light, with just the right density and a beautiful balance of flavors and elements in a simple form. They are delicious no matter when you eat them. The menu is constantly changing, but everything is delicious, so I recommend trying out flavors you haven't tried before.


 

For example, “chestnut yogurt”. It consists of yogurt mousse, chestnut mousse, and rose crème on a chestnut biscuit. You might think that chestnuts and roses don't really go together, let alone yogurt, but surprisingly, they do. The rose flavor wafts like a breeze between the light acidity and deep sweetness, and it makes you smile. However, it's hard to choose just one flavor, as the pistachio, tonka, vanilla, and chocolate flavors all have their own charms, so it's best to visit more than one.

3. Third course – Ouch

Instagram: @ouch.touch.me
Address: 1F, 14-3, Daesagwan-ro 5-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Reason for Selection: Because we need to take a break.

Honey Bee Seoul is the second brand of Honey Bee, run by pastry chef Eunjung Cho. With a spacious outdoor area and a simple place to sit, it's a great place to stop by when you need a break from exploring the neighborhood. I felt like I needed a break on this tour, and it's a place that always comes to mind when I'm in Hannam-dong.
 

There are many different flavors of gelato and soft serve ice cream, so it's fun to go with a group and share. All of the flavors are delicious, but the tomato flavor is the most popular. The sweet and sour flavor, combined with the fragrant flavor, is sure to leave a lasting impression.

4. Fourth course – JAEIN

Instagram: @patisserie.jaein
Address: 2F, 48, Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Reason for Selection: Seoul's 100 Best Foods, but now with a Korean twist.

One of Seoul's favorite patisseries is one of the first names that comes up whenever dessert lovers in Seoul talk about their favorite patisseries. Jae-in's patisserie has remained popular ever since it first opened in Yeonhee-dong and moved to Hannam-dong, and for good reason: Jae-in's desserts always have a curious side.
 

The “tree,” which has been a signature since the restaurant opened, and the “hatch,” which is named after an imaginary animal unique to Korea. It's a delicate and sharp argument, not only in form but also in flavor, and it deserves to be on the top 100 Seoul Gourmet list. In addition to petits fours and baked goods, the bar also serves a variety of Jaein's own cocktails and teas, so it's best to sit down if you can.

5. Fifth course – JL Dessert Bar

Instagram: @jldessertbar
Address: JL Dessert Bar, 3F, 7-2, Daesagwan-ro 31-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Reason for Selection: Best Dessert Bar in Seoul Gastronomy 100 2024 in the Café & Dessert category.

Chef Justin Lee's JL Dessert Bar was named Best Café & Dessert in the 2024 Seoul Gourmet 100. It's no wonder, given the restaurant's track record. I personally have many fond memories with JL Dessert Bar. Especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found sweet solace in frequent visits, and some of the desserts were even born there, so it was refreshing to visit again after a long time.


 

The pistachio tart, the Isfahan sorbet, and the tiramisu are favorites. Seeing the tiramisu still served on the same plate as when it was first introduced gave me a bit of a nostalgic moment, and when I tried the plated dessert with maitake mushrooms and balsamic, crème brûlée, blood orange, and Marsala wine, I remembered how much I loved this ingenious use of ingredients. If you're looking for a plated dessert bar that's novel, challenging, and delicious, JL Dessert Bar is a great choice.