Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Monster Cupcake

Monster Cupcake is a small cupcake shop in Itaewon that is one of the most recognized and longest standing cupcake shops in Seoul. Why? Because their cupcakes are extremely cute and fun to eat! For an average of $4.50 per cupcake, there are a handful of flavors to choose from that are whipped up in the shop. The favorites are red velvet and tiramisu, classic cupcake flavors. Although Monster Cupcake is recognized for their cupcakes, they're still a little away from signature cupcakes back at home. The cupcake isn't as fluffy, but made with a more dense batter. The icing is also different with a creamier texture, but their decorative gels are extremely flavorful and is the sweetest touch to the cupcake, literally. None the less, it is still a spot to go to satisfy a cupcake craving!

The concept of Monster Cupcakes is simple, make monster cupcakes. The theme is extremely cute, they make all their cupcakes around different "cute" and enjoyable monster looking things. They incorporate a theme of death into every cupcake that just takes it over the top. Because this is an extremely small cupcake shop, it is one of those where you grab to go. There is probably a total of four seats in the shop so people don't really linger around. If you do get lucky to stick around, you can enjoy your cupcake within the shop as you watch them whip up a new batter of cupcakes, ice them, and throw them onto display. It is definitely a cute place to be for all things cupcake!

Directions: Take exit 2 of the Noksaypyeong station and go straight until you see an underpass to go across the street. Take the underpass going down to the other side. Take the exit on your left and go straight across the street. Take a right as soon as you cross the street down to where Tu Can is and keep walking. You will see Monster Cupcakes on your left, be careful not to miss it!

Restaurant Review - Pizzaria D’Buzza

Pizzaria D'Buzza is one of the most popular pizza restaurants in Seoul. Known for their wood oven that bakes up the pizza to perfection with a purposely burnt crust, many rave about the restaurant. It is popular among locals and foreigners who know a good pizza. Because it is such a legendary place for pizza, plan to always wait for seating in the restaurant. With a new smaller spot in the Galleria shopping complex of Apgujeong, getting a sample of this good eat is not as hard as it was before.

The must orders are the Margherita con Bufala, Diavola con Olive Nere, and even their calzones if your stomach can hold up to it. Using fresh ingredients, they satisfy the palates of many with a thin crust pizza. 

Address to the original Itaewon location:서울 용산구 한남동 743-33 1층 Seoul Yongsan-gu Hannam Dong 743-33 First floor Phone: 02-794-9474 
Address to the second Itaewon location: 서울 용산구 한남동 740-1 3층 Seoul Yongsan-gu Hannam Dong  740-1 Third floor Phone: 02-795-9474 
Address to the Apgujeong Galleria location:서울 강남구 압구정동 494 갤러리아 서관 지하 1층 Seoul Gangnam-gu Apgujeong-dong 494 Galleria First floor food court Phone: 02-6905-3905 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Lee Saem Cupcake

Lee Saem Cupcake who's motto is "life is just a cup of cake" is one of the most popular cupcake locations. In fact, it is the most popular location to go to for cupcake in Itaewon. This small little white shop is hidden in a little alley from the Itaewon station in the basement floor. Once discovered, you will find yourself in a cupcake fairytale, surrounding by all things cupcakes and picnic seating to enjoy your cupcakes. With a small number of seating, it is recommended to grab these goodies to go.

Lee Saem Cupcake offers one of the more moist cupcakes in Korea. Offering traditional flavors as well as more creative ones, cupcakes are paired with a different kind of icing and sprinkle. The matcha cupcake is extremely bold in green tea taste which is recommended for anyone who is in love with green tea, sprinkled with a light touch of matcha powder. The blueberry is one of their best sellers and extremely fruity. It takes you back to being a kid because they sprinkle it with candies that pop in your mouth, just like the childhood favorite of Pop Rocks. The classic vanilla, which is the sweetest of them all, is topped with a mix of white and chocolate cookies which is the one recommendation to make. 

Address: 93-28 SangSu-dong, Mapo-gu
Phone: 010 7112 6770

From the Itaewon exit 2, go straight and follow the curve around at the bottom of the hill. Take a left at the dead end without crossing the street (follow the hill). After two blocks of going straight, Lee Saem will be in a small block on the left after the turn.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Bens Cookies

Ben's Cookies is a new store that recently opened in Itaewon serving soft freshly baked cookies. Soft is emphasized because Koreans do not believe in soft cookies (even those at Subway are over baked compared to those back in America). All cookies are baked daily on the premises with traditional flavored cookies and new mixes. It is the one recommendation to be made for anyone looking for a hot cookie fresh from the oven with melted chocolate chips, yes it is that good. It is totally worth paying $3 a cookie because it is impossible to find soft baked cookies in Korea! Cookies are rather thick compared to those found in America which is why they are soft. It is the closest thing to an under baked cookie so settle for the thickness of it!

This small shop is baking up goodies right behind the cashier, attracting all guests with their open window display of cookies and red interior. Soft, fluffy, crispy on the outside, they are all worth a taste. Straight from exit 2 of Itaewon station, go straight for about three blocks and it will be on your left.

Update: There is now a small shop right outside exit 9 of the Hongik station on line 2. Bear a left at the exit and you will see it on your left!

Hidden Treasures - Casablanca

Casablanca is probably hands down, the best joint in Seoul. This hidden treasure is the one recommendation to anyone for a special meal that is not only cheap, but delicious. What is there to know? You're paying $4-5 for a Moroccan sandwich that is made fresh from scratch, including the bread. Baked fresh everyday, the small restaurant opens at 5PM and closes when the bread sells out. Exactly that, the bread sells out as early as 8pm. 

The two brothers bake up a fresh crispy and flaky bread on the exterior and soft and fluffy on the interior. The fresh bread helps to accentuate the taste of the sandwich that is made with maokooda (a special spiced fried potato patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, olive, and pickles). Although the restaurant is known for their chicken sandwich, the lamb chili is the one recommendation to be made. If possible, buying the bread should be an option, but too bad it's not. 

It is totally worth it to make a travel up a hill just to grab a sandwich from the two brothers. Although the restaurant is extremely small in size, they try to serve up the goodies as fast as possible and take out is the way to go if there is no seats available. In addition to the amazing sandwiches, there is a small menu of cheap goodies which includes side salad and a small soup. This quick stop restaurant is the place to go to grab a bite and be on your way for drinks elsewhere in Itaewon.

From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go all the way up and after a long 5 minute walk, you will see an international market on your left. Past the market, you will see Casablanca on your left. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Rotiboy

Rotiboy is a bakery that originated in Malaysia and made its way to Seoul, bringing the signature rotiboybun with a butter filling and coffee flavored topping over a freshly baked round bun. For just a measly $2, this delicious bun is the perfect snack or even meal taken fresh from the oven with a soft and moist interior, crispy coffee topping. It is one of the most recognized coffee buns that has made its way into the hearts of Korean and a bun that many Korean bakeries incorporate in their menu as well. Rotiboy is the original and nothing can compare to the fresh delicious coffee bun that you can find in a Rotiboy shop so be sure to stop in the next time you see one of these franchises around!