Fresh on the Market - Cafe J BROWN

One of the newest chains to make its way over to Korea is the Artisan Chocolatier Cafe J BROWN.  Coffee shops are all over Korea and there's nothing special about a lot of the new ones. It is definitely great to find a new cafe that is specializing in all things chocolate and sweet, all desserts and drinks are paired with some kind of chocolate made fresh in store. With a new branch that opened in the Hongdae Hapjeong area, Cafe J BROWN is a must visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. 

As you pass this store on the corner, you may think it is just a storefront that sells desserts packaged to go, but in fact, there is a cafe downstairs. The concept is a little different where you pay separately for your dessert and drinks at the two different floors. Entrance is where all the dessert goodies are where you pay for your piece(s) and they will bring it downstairs to decorate and plate for your enjoyment. When you go downstairs, you will be given a drink menu where you pay again for your drinks. 

Desserts and drinks vary in price, on average costing about $6 a piece, a cup. Quite a splurge on an afternoon dessert, but this is actually average for drinks in Korea. The one good thing is that you feel as if you are getting more for your money because of the fact that they are dedicating a lot of effort into presentation. You may think that you are getting some kind of regular drink or dessert, but in fact you are in for a surprise. Desserts are decked out with some kind of chocolate addition, macarons included. The best part about the drinks is that they are all served with some kind of chocolate which makes your drink that much more amazing. Because many do not know about this, you can practically skip out on the dessert if you are consuming alone.

The one complaint to make about Cafe J BROWN is the fact that their Napoleon dessert is nothing like the traditional Napoleon that is made with layers of chocolate and cream. The Napoleon, like many other desserts in Korea is made their own way, with their own twist. Rather than using layers of flakiness, it is an actual cake. This cake is in fact great in presentation, but definitely not something I recommend for someone who is looking for more of the traditional cake. On another note, although this cake concentrates on chocolate, its cream and cake layers are overpowering to the point where you cannot really taste the chocolate, not the best splurge for $6.

Address: 298-10 Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong
마포구 서교동 298-10
Phone: 02-324-7676

Bottoms Up - Cha Time

Cha Time is a well-recognized bubble tea spot around the world and they finally made their way to Korea. With a small stand in Hongdae, it is next to Paul and Paulina which is up a hill outside of exit 9 Hongkik station. It is the place to drop by for a quick pick up and to be on your way. A medium cup of bubble tea will set you back $3.40, but a large is just for an extra 50 cents. Although it does not taste the same as the other Cha Time chains, it is the next closest thing!

Restaurant Review - Chir Chir Chicken 치르치르치킨

Chir Chir Chicken 치르치르치킨 is a Korean fusion chicken spot that is dispersed across Seoul. The restaurant offers something new to chicken lovers that break from the traditional Korean norm of chicken and beer. Chir Chir Chicken not only has amazing boneless chicken, but they top it with sliced almonds, Korean rice cakes and an amazing sauce of course. There are also chunks of fried sweet potato which is a Korean staple and nonetheless, a good combo as well. This Korean fusion breaks away from using potatoes and fries, but it is still nom-alicious. 

In addition to their popular saucy boneless chickens, they also offer fried chicken that is paired with a simple salad. Basic, but over the top for someone who loves chicken, but can't splurge on the extra calories. A bed of fresh salad always does the trick! It may make you feel less guilty about the extra calories from the amazing sauce, but be careful of the dressing. Because it is so delicious, you may consume a lot more than you plan to. 

Touching on the topic of chicken and beer. Chir Chir chicken definitely offers beer with their menu options because it is the most popular thing, but they offer something that many chicken places do not and that is American alcoholic beverages. Served in pitcher sizes, their refreshing drinks makes any chicken explosive. 

Being that Chir Chir Chicken 치르치르치킨 is extremely popular for those who are drinkers, there are a few locations across Seoul, including two in the Hongdae area down the alley of fun. 

Restaurant Review - Best Croquettes Ever 칠리차차

Chilly Cha Cha 칠리차차 is a hidden treasure that takes fried food to a whole new level. This small Korean owned restaurants cooks up all things deep fried that is absolutely amazing. They also offer the traditional Korean eats of ddukboki and kimbap, but the menu is beyond imaginable. The one thing that is to die for is their amazingly stuffed croquettes. The batter is on point and the food is extremely cheap which makes being full for lunch or dinner within budget. Fried items average at $2 a pop and because it is so cheap, ordering everything on the menu just might happen. 

Although Chilly Cha Cha offers a menu that is low in price and you would assume that their items are not filling, being that it is the equivalent to a Paris Baguette's croquette, these croquettes are palm sized. Consuming two can probably fill you up already! Being that there are so many different kinds to choose from, including a mystery flavored one, there is definitely one that caters to everyone's taste. The most popular ones include the curry, pumpkin, and corn which comes with a mashed potato blend. 

Pictures give this croquette no justice so it is something that you have to try to believe. Initially, I thought it was a little overrated by Eat Your Kimchi, but I've come to realize that it is that amazing. I've been craving for it since I left and realized that this is one of the very few places I actually go back to. Can you say amazing?

With directions from the Eat Your Kimchi website, an additional important note to point out is that form the Sangsu station exit 1, walk straight until the Dunkin Donuts on the corner and taking a right onto the Parking Lot street. When you see the C for U mart on the corner, take that street down to the left. Staying on the right side, Chilly Cha Cha is on the corner across the street from the seven eleven next to a Cafe Bar. It is not exactly on the corner, but towards the right after you see the 7/11.