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Desserts are often referred to as the "pinnacle of gastronomy." They play a crucial role in shaping the overall memory of a meal, not only because they mark the final stage of dining but also due to the delicacy and creativity required to create exquisite desserts.

With a variety of ingredients and techniques involved in dessert making, the passion and individuality of the creator are also deeply embedded. So, what would desserts crafted by masters look and taste like? Just as there are experts in various domains, there are also maestros in the realm of Korean desserts.

As the weather turns cooler in November, desserts that delicately melt on the tip of your tongue become even more appealing. Here, we introduce four dessert cafes run by masters where you can find traditional Korean desserts reinterpreted uniquely by each master’s style and skills. 

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CCOT @ Insadong, Seoul

CCOT is a traditional Korean dessert brand led by Sook-kyung Oh, one of the six master artisans in the realm of tteok (Korean rice cake) selected in 2012, and a culinary researcher. Enchanted by the natural allure of tteok, she expanded her expertise into the domain of Korean desserts and created CCOT as it stands today.

At CCOT insadong branch located in Insa-dong, Seoul, visitors can indulge in desserts that encapsulate her philosophy. CCOT's desserts, including baked yakgwa, baked chaltteok with abundant and various fillings such as figs and black rice, yanggaeng (sweet red bean jelly) made of red bean topped with delicious fruits, emphasize the natural flavors of their ingredients. If it’s too hard to choose from the array of charming desserts, CCOT's signature set, which consists of an assortment of desserts, including the exclusive 'GE:eumjuak' adorned with gold, is highly recommended.

In November, how about making a trip to Insadong - an area rich in Korean heritage and culture, to enjoy the beauty of the season and take delight in the one of the most celebrated master's Korean desserts? CCOT is particularly famous for its patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans), so it might be a great spot to visit in summer as well. 

Address | 2FL Anyounginsadong, Insadong-gil 29, Jongno-gu, Seoul 
Hours | Open at 11:00-21:00 every day (Last Order 20:30)

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Gamgwadang @ Yeonhui-dong, Seoul 

Gamgwadang, located in Yeonhui-dong, proudly declares itself as a place for "healthy and delicious snacks.” The café was crafted by Eun-jung Kim, a master artisan of Korean medicinal cuisine with a heartfelt desire to bring happiness to the younger generation through new and tasty traditional desserts.

Gamgwadang’s various topping-adorned ‘juak’ seem to successfully embody Master Kim's aspirations. With just the right amount of syrup to enhance flavor, Gamgwadang's juak is both light and crispy. It is topped with various ingredients such as cream cheese, pine nuts, whole red bean paste, or different Korean desserts such as jeonggwa (preserved fruits) or dried persimmon. These creations reflect Master Kim’s aspiration for fresh and delectable traditional desserts.

Every aspect of Gamgwadang’s desserts are infused with Master Kim’s warm-hearted wish to introduce people to exquisite cuisine. The interior, adorned with furniture crafted in the traditional style by artist Sung-cheol Lee, adds to the cozy and inviting atmosphere, providing a perfect setting to enjoy these delightful treats.

Address | 2FL, Jeungaro 24, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Hours | Open at 11:30-20:00 Thurs. to Sat. / Closed on Sun. to Wed.

Haenggungdagwa @ Hwasung, Suwon

Haenggungdagwa is a traditional dessert cafe operated by the very first master artisan of tteok (rice cake) crafts, Soo-young Kim. Master Kim is an expert in traditional snacks with over 20 years of research. As he studies culinary arts based on historical records, Master Kim recreates traditional methods while presenting desserts that captivate contemporary palates.

The signature offering at Haenggungdagwa is the splendid hansangcharim (a full table setting) dessert table set. It includes a variety of delicacies such as nutritious chaltteok, haenggung yakgwa, doraji jeonggwa, sesame kangjeong, kumquat jeonggwa, insam jeongwa, jerky dasik, and black sesame dasik. If you're uncertain about the accompanying beverage, try ‘Omija Soodan,’ a traditional omija tea with colorful rice cake pieces. Its tartness beautifully complements the sweetness of the dessert.

Apart from delightful desserts, Haenggungdagwa also offers charming traditional merchandise and snacks, providing a pleasant shopping experience. Additionally, they conduct one-day classes on making traditional desserts, so if you're looking to prepare a heartfelt and special gift, participating in one of these classes is highly recommended.

Address | 2FL, Haenggung-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyunggi-do
Hours | Open at 10:30-22:00 Wed. to Sun. / Close on Tues. 

Café E:eum @ Bukchon, Seoul

Korean Food Grand Masters are nationally recognized artisans who have dedicated themselves for more than 20 years in a single field of culinary expertise, or preserved the original traditional methods while utilizing local ingredients to continue the legacy of traditional flavors and values. They are designated through rigorous evaluation criteria by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in an effort to preserve and develop exceptional Korean traditional foods. At ‘Café E:eum Korean Food Master Experience & Promotional Gallery’ located within the traditional Korean culture space E:eum in Bukchon Hanok Village, you can enjoy the experience of indulging in special menus of Korea’s most recognized master artisans.

Café E:eum is a Korean Food Master Experience & Promotional Gallery as well as a traditional dessert café that serves various tea, hangwa, beverage, and tteok menus that are reinterpreted by the masters themselves. Traditional Korean treats such as anggeum jeolpyeon (pattered rice cake with filling), galgol sanja (fried rice squares), and Jecheon baekseolgi (snow white rice cake) and modern fusion desserts like honey butter gijeongtteok, chocolate seolgi (Korean traditional confectionery), jeolpyeon waffles, and maesil croffle (plum sauce topped croissant waffle) are crafted under expert hands for guests to enjoy along with along with complimenting beverages. 

The gallery, aptly named ‘Experience & Promotion Center,’ offers various experiential programs, tasting sessions, and food sampling events. Notably, a small 45 minute tea time called "Dadohyang Experience" presents a unique opportunity to experience teas of different masters each month. If you are interested in immersing yourself in the fragrant charm of Korean tradition, make sure to reserve a spot for yourself, as participation is by reservation only.

Address | Korea Food Grand Master Center Café E:eum, 1FL Bukchon-ro 18, Jongno-gu, Seoul 
Hours | Open at 10:00-19:00 (Last Order 18:30) / Close on Mon.

Photos Official Instagram(@ccot_insa, @gamgwadang), Naver Blog (https://blog.naver.com/dal831), Official Blog of Korea Food Grand Master Center (https://blog.naver.com/kfmcenter)