Seoul, a city known for its culture and culinary delights, offers many desserts that cater to traditional and modern tastes.
From classic Korean sweets to innovative creations, the dessert scene in Seoul is a must-experience for anyone with a sweet tooth. Here's a list of the top 20 must-try desserts in the city.
1. Bingsu (Shaved Ice)

Bingsu is a refreshing Korean dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with various ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk, fruit, red beans, and rice cakes. Patbingsu, topped with sweet red bean paste, is a popular variation.
Where to Try: Sulbing and Meal Top are renowned for their extensive bingsu selections.
2. Hotteok (Sweet Pancakes)

Hotteok is a popular street food, especially in winter. These sweet pancakes are filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts, which melt into a delicious syrup as they cook.
Where to Try: Visit Namdaemun Market or Myeongdong for some of the best hotteok in Seoul.
3. Hodugwaja (Walnut Cake)

Originating from Cheonan, hodugwaja is a small, walnut-shaped cake filled with red bean paste and a whole walnut. It’s a perfect combination of crunchy and soft textures.
Where to Try: You can find hodugwaja at most traditional markets and train stations across Seoul.
4. Tteok (Korean Rice Cakes)

Tteok are chewy rice cakes in various forms, flavors, and colors. Common types include songpyeon (half-moon shaped), injeolmi (coated with roasted soybean powder), and garaetteok (long, cylindrical rice cakes).
Where to Try: Visit a local tteok shop or a traditional market like Gwangjang Market.
5. Hwangnam Bread
This traditional Korean bread, filled with sweetened red bean paste, hails from Gyeongju but is beloved across the country. It’s soft and slightly sweet and pairs perfectly with tea.
Where to Try: Hwangnam Bakery in Insadong is famous for its authentic hwangnam bread.
6. Yanggaeng (Sweet Red Bean Jelly)
Yanggaeng is a sweet jelly made from red bean paste, sugar, and agar. It’s a traditional dessert with a smooth, firm texture and a subtly sweet taste.
Where to Try: Traditional dessert shops in Seoul, such as those in Bukchon Hanok Village, offer authentic yanggaeng.
7. Chapssal Donuts (Glutinous Rice Donuts)
Chapssal donuts are made from glutinous rice flour, giving them a chewy texture. They are usually coated in sugar and filled with sweetened red bean paste or other fillings.
Where to Try: Korean bakery chains like Paris Baguette or Tous Les Jours often sell these donuts.
8. Gyeongju Ppang (Gyeongju Bread)
Similar to hwangnam bread, Gyeongju ppang is a traditional sweet bread filled with red bean paste. It’s slightly smaller and has a denser filling.
Where to Try: Local bakeries in Insadong or traditional markets.
9. Yakgwa (Honey Cookies)

Yakgwa is a traditional Korean cookie made from wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, and ginger. It’s deep-fried and then soaked in honey syrup, resulting in a sweet and sticky treat.
Where to Try: Traditional markets like Namdaemun or Gwangjang offer freshly made yakgwa.
10. Chapssaltteok (Glutinous Rice Cake with Filling)
Similar to mochi, chapssaltteok is a soft and chewy rice cake filled with sweetened red bean paste. It’s a popular dessert for special occasions.
Where to Try: Visit a specialty tteok shop or a local market.
11. Mochi Ice Cream

A fusion of Japanese and Korean cuisine, mochi ice cream consists of a ball of ice cream wrapped in a layer of chewy mochi. Flavors range from traditional red bean to green tea and mango.
Where to Try: Mochi ice cream can be found at various dessert cafes and restaurants in Seoul.
12. Sikhye (Sweet Rice Drink)

Although technically a drink, sikhye is often enjoyed as a dessert. It’s made from fermented malt and rice, resulting in a sweet, slightly tangy flavor. The floating grains of rice add a unique texture.
Where to Try: Traditional Korean restaurants or cafes, especially those in Insadong, often serve sikhye.
13. Injeolmi Toast
Injeolmi toast is a unique dessert made from grilled bread filled with injeolmi (a type of chewy rice cake) and drizzled with honey or condensed milk. It’s crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Where to Try: Many cafes in Seoul offer this trendy dessert.
14. Dalgona (Korean Sugar Candy)

Dalgona is a nostalgic street snack made by melting sugar and stirring in a bit of baking soda. The mixture puffs up and hardens into a light, crunchy candy that can be shaped with different molds.
Where to Try: You can find dalgona at various street food stalls across Seoul.
15. Songpyeon (Half-Moon Rice Cake)

Traditionally eaten during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), songpyeon are small, half-moon shaped rice cakes filled with sweet fillings like sesame seeds or chestnut paste.
Where to Try: Although most common during Chuseok, some tteok shops offer songpyeon year-round.
16. Baesuk (Korean Poached Pear)
Baesuk is a traditional Korean dessert where pears are poached in a mixture of honey, ginger, and cinnamon. The result is a soft, flavorful treat that’s often served warm.
Where to Try: Korean traditional tea houses in Bukchon or Insadong may offer baesuk on their menu.
17. Jeonggwa (Candied Fruit)
Jeonggwa is a traditional Korean dessert made by simmering fruits like quince, jujube, or ginger in honey or sugar until they become candied. It is chewy and sweet and is often served during festive occasions.
Where to Try: Specialty dessert shops and traditional markets in Seoul.
18. Makgeolli Ice Cream
Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, is used to flavor this unique ice cream. Its slightly tangy and sweet flavor captures the essence of the drink in a creamy dessert form.
Where to Try: Dessert cafes like Sobok, known for their unique Korean ice creams.
19. Omija Hwachae (Omija Punch)
This traditional Korean punch is made from omija (five-flavor berry), sugar, and honey, often served with colorful fruits. It’s a refreshing dessert that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and tangy flavors.
Where to Try: Traditional tea houses in Seoul often serve omija hwachae.
20. Hoedddeok (Nut-Filled Pancake)
A variation of hotteok, hoedddeok is filled with a mixture of chopped nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The filling melts as it cooks, creating a warm, gooey center inside the crispy pancake.
Where to Try: Myeongdong street vendors are famous for their delicious hoedddeok.
Best Desserts in Seoul
Seoul's dessert scene is as diverse and exciting as the city itself, offering everything from traditional sweets cherished for generations to modern innovations that reflect Korea’s vibrant culinary culture.
Whether you’re exploring street food stalls or visiting cozy cafes, these 20 must-try desserts will satisfy your sweet cravings while giving you a taste of Korea’s rich food heritage.
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