Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Duex Cremes

Deux Cremes has got to be the place for anyone looking for a good creme pie layered with cake and a flaky, crispy crust. Their Green Velvet Pie is made of a green tea creme with a vanilla cake on top of a chocolate brownie-like base that is all baked up on the most flaky crust ever. It is the perfect blend of everything that you need in one bite. topped with chocolate and fused with a soft cookie inside. Their Grapefruit Ade is also an extremely refreshing drink that is on the healthier side made with real grapefruits, freshly squeezed and whipped up. 

With two floors to the cafe that is based around a relaxing atmosphere that caters to couples and girl time, Deux Cremes is the place to go for a chat. Seating is extremely spacious with open windows to people watch and see the quieter back alleys of Garosu-gil. Goodies average at $7 a piece, but the pies are definitely worth the splurge. With a more modern touch to the cafe, finding the bathroom might be a little tricky, but it allows for a more creative touch. Sliding doors that are concealed leads you to a bathroom that actually is an upgrade with bidet toilet seats. 

Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station of the orange line 3, take a left when you reach the Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Go straight along the Garosu-gil shopping street and it will be on your right about four blocks down after the 7/11 further back from the street with black stairs going up.

Address: Gangnam-gu Sinsa-dong 533-11 

서울 강남구 신사동 533-11

Phone: 02-545-7931

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Oliver Sweet

Oliver Sweet is an internet based bakery that caters to the community in Korea, delivering all baked goodies from holiday themed cookies to pastries to cakes. With a wide option of baked goods that cater to the occasion, Oliver Sweet makes packaging and ordering gifts easy. For those who are looking to sample the Oliver Sweet baked selections, there is one cafe in Banpo-dong that sells a selection of Oliver Sweet desserts. 

Oliver Sweet can also be found in some of the department stores which includes the Lotte and a selected handful of restaurants (including Vatos Urban Tacos). They break from the traditional catering and taste of cakes and pies by offering a twist to their goodies. The Cognac Pecan Pie for example is a liquor infused pie that is baked with the full blast of pecans. Baked with a chewy texture, the pecan pie's tart is not flaky at all, but more like a crust that is baked to perfection.

In addition to the pie, the Earl Grey Tea Cake infused with Grapefruit is a multi layered cake themed around cream, cake, and more cream. With a spongy texture, the cake offers grapefruit flavoring that is definitely different from from any other cakes offered in Korea. It is rather light in taste, not offering much of a strong green tea or grapefruit taste, but it does compliment one another pretty well.

It is definitely suggested to order an Oliver Sweet speciality cake or baked goody for an occasion. Going out of your way to try their cakes may not be worth it, but of course if you see it in the area you are in, do order one to give it a try. You never know if this is would be your kind of dessert. 

Cafe Address: 612-140 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-713

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Sugar Daddy

Everyone knows I have the craziest sweet tooth, especially for cupcakes. I have been on the search in Seoul for forever now to find the best cupcakes and constantly let down each time. Sugar Daddy is definitely the only one that comes close, almost the perfect cupcake. Sugar Daddy is an extremely small shop in Itaewon where the baker is in the store baking and decorating as she sells cupcakes from the same table. This extremely small and cozy spot is filled with all things delicious which are not only cupcakes! 

Sugar Daddy offers cupcake sized pies, mini cheesecakes, fudge bars, cookies, and cupcakes of traditional flavors as well as all things crazy. Many of the ingredients used in the recipes are ordered from foreign markets and online stores which explains the quality of the baked goods. Furthermore, the owner (Yumi Jung) tries to incorporate all things crazy that Americans love into her baked goods which provides her with another bonus thumbs up.

I am absolutely in love with Sugar Daddy for the amazing service for starters. Yumi had two stools in front and offered seating for us to consume our root beer cupcake and key lime pie. She then proceeded to offer us a cup of tea, Australia's T2 tea which she allowed us to choose from a wide selection of flavors. Halfway into our baked goods, she then offered us a freshly baked cookie from her cooling rack. 

In terms of her baked goods: the root beer cupcake is definitely a special kind of cupcake which is a fun eat. The root beer kick to the cupcake takes it to a whole new level. I'm personally not a fan of root beer, but this cupcake definitely changed my mind. Topped with a "scoop of icecream" and a "straw" for consumption, this cute it is a blast of flavor with a fluffy cake base, whipped fondant-icing like cream, and a drizzle of deliciousness. 

The mini key lime pie, made of a graham cracker base that is topped with a key lime filling is also on point. The tart key lime is not overpowering and it is the perfect blend with the crust, definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for something tangy but not too sour. The cookies are made of all things crazy as well, but like most Korean cookies, they are all hard and not soft-baked, but still delicious in taste!

For my cupcake hunt in Korea, I think I have found the best and closest thing. I definitely recommend Sugar Daddy to anyone who is looking for that perfect cupcake. With so much to choose from, you may be spending a little more than anticipated. Cupcakes and baked goods average at $4.50 a pop, cookies priced at $1 and totally worth every penny of it!

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 up the hill and you will see the small shop of Sugar Daddy on your right. This location in Haebangchon is actually closed.

updated
For the Itaewon Sugar Daddy shop that recently opened in replacement of the location above in Haebangchon, take exit 4 of the Itaewon station on line 6 and go straight by the McDonald's.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Momofuku Milk Bar

Momofuku Milk Bar, one of the quickest spots of the Momofuku chain to get food is known for their dessert and sweet goods. With a twist on every traditional dessert of pies, cookies, cakes, and even cookies, it is a must visit location to try one of the best snacks in town. Momofuku Milk Bar is known for their unique take on every dessert named possible. One of the dishes that you can find in the Momofuku restaurants is the cake truffles which are bite-sized balls of cakes.

My one recommendation to make is the crack pie and candy pie. It may be a bit too sweet for a lot of people, especially the candy pie, but it is literally a pie version of a snickers plus more! It is something that I just can't get enough of, but can't finish in one sitting either. There are a lot more favorites of the locals, but there's always something to try at Momofuku Milk Bar.

The best part of the small shop is that you are able to make orders online. For those who are not within proximity to the store, simply make your order and have it shipped out. For others who are making a big order or want a custom cake, be sure to order online for pick up. Skip all the lines and the many tourists that are waiting around for these goodies!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Jubilu Chocolatier

With a few locations in Seoul, Jubilu Chocolatier is a great spot to go to satisfy any chocolate cravings, including other dessert goodies. With a wide selection of chocolates, cupcakes, cookies, macarons, and drinks, it is the perfect place to relax and cheat on a diet. The suggestion is to sit around and consume the goodies in the cafe because of presentation and warm goodness. 

The fondant cupcakes (cupcakes with jam or melted syrup in the middle) are warmed up before served to maximize the fondant touch. The fondant cupcakes are a must have for just $2.70 each, but a total of four for $10. Dark chocolate, blueberry, and coffee is the recommended. The cheese fondant cupcake is a bit different to the foreigner's tastes, but it is definitely a popular one amongst the locals. 

  

The other must tries are the cake pops which has very little cake, the real cheese cheesecake, and of course the chocolates. With so much to choose from and only $2 a piece, a handful of pieces should have your stomach satisfied for a while. Check out the locations in Itaewon and Myeondong, it's definitely a great place to lounge out.

Cheap Eats - Jesters

Jesters is a well known Australian pot pie eat. A bit special that my first time having this crazy for pie place would be in Korea. For an average of $3-4 a pie, Jesters carries a variety of palm sized pies that are just over the top delicious. A flaky exterior of a yellow pie crust is stuffed with the warmest and tastiest filling which varies from meat to fruits. Depending on your craving for a dessert or mid day snack, Jesters definitely has some pie that will fulfill your taste buds.

Baked fresh daily, I had a hard time fighting my urge to bring home a box full of Jester's pie after having only the minced beef. They really do have one of the freshest and most delicious meat and fruit pies I have ever had and yes you must give it a go! For those of you who are currently living in Korea, there is a small location in Itaewon where the foreigners reside. In addition to Korea and Australia, you can sure find this delicious chain of meat pies around the world, just be sure to check their website for both their sweet and salty pies. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Peggy Pie

I randomly stumbled upon Peggy Pie when looking for a cafe to get some work done at. Peggy Pie is a small chain in Korea that serves up all kinds of pies, sweet and salty. Sweet pies, of course, are the dessert pies that are commonly consumed. In regards to salty pies, these are the meat pies that are extremely flaky and filled with a warm saucy meat filling.

Although I have not tried a meat pie, it looks to be absolutely delicious. Their fruit pies are extremely popular because of the variety they offer. The hot sellers are the strawberry and apple pie. I definitely suggest trying both, but do not expect it to be as sweet as those American pies. I do miss the extra sweet kick that I get from a bite of pie back at home, but Peggy Pie will settle my craving for the time being.

The pie is best paired with a cup of coffee, especially a sweet Caramel Mocchiato which helps to give that extra sweet kick. It is definitely worth it to sit around and enjoy a cup of coffee and dessert with a friend, but for those of you who are looking for something more filling, Peggy Pie also offers sandwiches. At the very minimum, a take out pie is needed!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Tartine Bakery & Cafe

In a little hidden street alley of Itaewon, which is an area known as the foreigner's spot, has a tiny bakery and cafe called Tartine in Seoul, Korea. This very small and cozy spot has palm size pies and tarts that are absolutely delicious. In addition to the pies, there is also cookies, cheesecake, dessert squares and actually cakes. Because the popularity of Tartine, there is actually three locations to sit and they are directly across from one another.

I definitely recommend the cafe for their tarts. Do not get any of the other desserts because it's just not the same. Desserts vary from day to day so you may or may not be able to find the same items on the menu, but a definite recommendation is the dark hot chocolate, nanaimo bar, the key lime pie, and the banana cream pie which are usually available on the weekends. Tartine is known for their tarts and it should stay that way. The cheesecakes taste nothing like a New York style cheesecake and the brownie is just layered with cream.

When in the store, be sure to order their drinks as well. They have a wide selection of drinks that incorporate a handful of flavors that beats the cliche coffees. You'll be in for a pleasant surprise because mine included an actual blackberry at the bottom. One of the best things about Tartine is the service. On every fifth visit, you are able to score a free treat just for being a wonderful customer.

For just $2.70 single cookies to $7.50 for a palm size pie, it helps to satisfy any dessert cravings. Tartine is known for their pies, cookies, cheesecakes (the Korean style which is half cheesecake texture, half fluffy cake texture), butter tarts, rhubarb pies, chocolate taste, nanaimo bars and other special orders. Next time you're in the area, be sure to stop by and pick up one of these goodies! They can be found all around Seoul, including many of the department stores due to the popularity and high demand for the goods. For those of you who are looking to sample the real thing, definitely visit the store in Itaewon.

Address: 119-15 Itaewon Yongsan-Gu Seoul
용산구 이태원 119-15
Phone: 02-3785-3400