Carissa NgIf you have a sweet tooth or simply love desserts like the bingsus offered in Singapore, then this is the list for you! In fact, Seoul has a plethora of eclectic dessert cafes serving treats beyond bingsu and honeycomb ice cream; some desserts look and taste simply beyond your imagination. Also, get ready to snap tons of photos of these Seoul dessert cafes!
1. Billy Angel Cake Company
Image credit: Billy Angel Cake Company
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 are 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 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 the 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
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 in 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, no artificial colourings, and is filled with earl grey custard cream that is light and not cloyingly sweet.
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 the 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. Macameron
Image credit: Macameron
Seoul truly has a lot of eye-candy dessert cafes, doesn’t it? Macameron features pastries of multicoloured macaron shells and berry yoghurt ice cream. 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
6. Snow Spoon Cafe
Image credit: 김지영
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. They have fruit-flavoured popsicles too, such as blueberry, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple & orange and more. Don’t be fooled by their appearance — some desserts don’t taste as nice as they look, but these popsicles are still refreshing and creamy.
Address: 364-15 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Closest metro station: Hapjeong Station Exit 3
7. SONA Cafe
Image credit: Sona_Seoul
Home to decadent desserts that will satisfy all your guilty pleasures, SONA is a haven for sweets enthusiasts. Just take a look at the exquisite beauty of the Champagne Sugar Ball! Can you even bear to break that pink delicate shell? This is made up of champagne foam, edible flowers, cheesecake snow, strawberry panna cotta and fresh strawberry slices. Crack the shell open and pour warm strawberry consomme 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
8. IMI Cafe
Image credit: Patisserie x Roastery imi
This quaint little cafe is run by two brothers: a barista and a baker. It’s no wonder that they’ve made so many fun dessert creations! Imi serves a fresh cream orange bingsu that is truly one of a kind. Since it’s 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: Patisserie x Roastery imi
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
Also Read: 10 Must-Buy Food Items from Korea’s Lotte Mart
Is your stomach grumbling yet? Don’t blame me for all the extra calories you will gain after consuming these desserts. But feel free to indulge yourselves in Seoul dessert cafes the next time you’re in town!
