Seoul's first official dessert list picks 50 spots, from Taegeukdang monaka to Dangok injeolmi bingsu [Oct. 6]

How the 50 were picked

The city looked at the quality of drinks and desserts and the experience of the space. It also weighed popularity and how easy a place is for foreign tourists to reach.

The list debuted alongside the Seoul Mishik 100. It is exactly 50 shops.

Bakeries take nearly half

By main menu, bakery and patisserie shops dominate with 23 spots (46%). Coffee shops get 9, Korean desserts and hangwa 7, tea and dessert specialists 4 each, and bingsu and gelato 3.

Western pastry rules the menu: macarons, madeleines, mont blancs, tarts, eclairs and pies. Big bakeries share the list with small dessert bars.

Hangwa and bingsu picks

The seven Korean-dessert spots include Gangjeong Neomchineun Jip (walnut and pecan jeonggwa), Dongbyeongsangryeon (honey-grilled jeungpyeon), Hap Wonseojeom (juak) and 1994SEOUL (a seasonal tea-and-sweets course).

Bingsu is not only a summer thing here: Dangok is listed for its mascarpone injeolmi bingsu and Bubing for its red-bean bingsu.

Gangnam 17, Jongno 7

By district, Gangnam-gu leads with 17 (34%), followed by Yongsan-gu with 10, Jongno-gu with 7 and Jung-gu with 6. Seocho-gu and Mapo-gu have 4 each, Gangseo-gu and Seongbuk-gu 1 each.

Anguk is the easiest area to stitch together on foot. Onion Anguk (pandoro) and Amor Napoli Anguk (ciabatta) are on Gyedong-gil, and Osulloc Tea House Bukchon (tea course) is on Bukchon-ro. In Jung-gu, Taegeukdang made the cut for its monaka ice cream.

Before you go

- Main menus are those on sale as of Oct. 6. Seasons and stock can change them, so check first. - Taste of Seoul 2026 runs Oct. 23-29 at DDP and across the city, and presents both the 100 and the 50. - Opening hours and closing days differ by shop and are not part of the list.