Korea is probably not the first location that comes to mind when you think of creamy, melty chocolate, but it should. I’ve been living and working here for two and a half years, and I sometimes make chocolates at home. But every now and again, I simply need a break from my town’s monotony of rice-based Korean pastries and syrupy K-Pop music. Thus, when a vacation to Jeju or a weekend in Busan are out of the question, I go to Seoul to taste someone else’s handcrafted chocolate.
Apart from classic European imports and inexpensive sweets, Seoul has a vast selection of exquisite cuisine and chocolates. French-trained chocolatiers and self-taught chocolatiers are making names for themselves in Korea. Despite these chocolate masters are occasionally well-known in Korea, they are difficult to locate if you are knowledgeable with Korean chocolate culture. Some of them spell their names differently in English, while others are only searchable in Korean.
This guide has grown very popular for chocolate lovers living in and visiting Seoul since its initial edition in 2017, and numerous new chocolate businesses have opened their doors. I’m delighted to be able to keep updating the number of stores, particularly the number of bean-to-bar chocolate producers (which I’ve highlighted in purple on the map)! Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will never appear on this list, and the Godivas, Royces, and Sees Candies of Korea are vanished. This is great home-grown chocolate at your disposal.
If you know exactly where you want to go, click on a neighborhood in the table of contents or scroll down to the map and zoom in on your location. Even if you just have one day in Seoul, there is almost likely a chocolate store nearby that is worth visiting.
Contents
Itaewon and HBC Chocolate Shops
Itaewon is a broad term for Seoul’s foreigner area, including all of its immigrant people and imported cuisine and snacks. Here is where I go to get my fill of almost any foreign product or cuisine conceivable, while the chocolate scene is, sadly, mostly imported. Just a few chocolate masters have a home here, but each is worth a look and a bite. Itaewon is a neighborhood in Yongsan-gu that includes the Hannam and Bogwang areas.
Cacao Explosion
One gelato cart welcomes you at the entryway, and four seats line the table against the wall, yet two dozen truffles fill the display case in front of you as you move further. Cacao Boom is one of Korea’s oldest and, in my opinion, greatest chocolate boutiques. Go Youngjoo, the entrepreneur and chief chocolatier, started one store and then another fourteen years ago. The personnel is incredibly polite, and the lighting is fantastic, but the chocolates are the real draw.
I keep returning to their chocolate bars and luscious truffles, and not only because they utilize superb French chocolate as their basic material. My personal faves from their extensive menu are the Silky Boom (praline ganache) and the Tea-ticaca (earl grey ganache), however nothing I’ve tasted has disappointed. They also offer chocolate recipe books in Korean written by the proprietor, as well as chocolate salami.
216-14 Hangangno-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, S. Korea (Google Maps)
Exit 2 of the Noksapyeong Metro Station
Hours and prices: everyday from noon to 11 p.m. (1800-2500 per bonbon)
Gangnam Chocolate Shops
Famed for the 2012 single Gangnam Style by Psy, which Ive learned to only be a depiction of how Koreans conceive of evenings out in Gangnam, this is a region of Seoul whose name means south of the river. It is well-known for its nightlife, costly shopping on the streets and malls, and exquisite dining. Sinsa, Apgujeong, Cheongdam, Samseong, and Yeoksam are all part of Gangnam-gu.
Chocolate Atelier Haas
The businesses around Haas Chocolate Atelier in Gangnam don’t exactly scream premium food store. Still, I encourage you have a look. The business serves Valrhona and Felchin chocolate macarons, truffles, and charming flavored chocolate bars. I got a complete box of twelve of their varieties and absolutely loved it, however I must admit that this will not be my first destination the next time I visit Gangnam.
They are only open on weekdays, however this is due to the fact that they also provide chocolateiering courses for both children and adults (Korean language-only). If you’re in the area, I urge you try my two favorite flavors: Noisette Craquant and Pralin au Miel. The proprietor is kind and speaks some English.
Address: Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 19 Samseong-ro103gil (Google Maps)
Exit 7 of the Samseong Jung-ang Metro Station
Hours and prices: Mon-Fri: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (2500 per bonbon)
Artisan Chocolatier Piaf
A local chocolate artisan suggested Piafs as one of the few chocolate truffles. This is not my favorite chocolate store in Seoul since there is no seating and it may be difficult to locate. Yet, once you arrive, it is a flawless in-and-out experience. Piaf serves excellent French-style truffles with a high-class decor, and the staff is fluent in English.
They also serve hot chocolate during the colder months and have a large assortment of luxury chocolate bars and gift goods (ask for chocolat chaud). Caramel et Passion (subtle melty passion fruit in milk chocolate) and Figue et Porto (small pieces of fig blended with a red-wine impregnated dark chocolate) are my favorite tastes; the truffles are really amazing. At the moment, they do not have a coffee menu.
523-31 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (Google Maps)
Sinsa Metro Station, Exit 6
Hours and prices: Mon-Sat, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (2500 per bonbon)
The Cacao Bean
Max Gandy | Chocolate Travel? (@damecacao) shared a post on Sep 8, 2017 at 11:09pm PDT.
When I first went to Cacao Bean, I felt compelled to professionally sample each of the 10 bonbons we purchased and grade them numerically. This rapidly became a frenzy, and selecting a favorite became difficult. Everything was really tasty, and none were too sweet, which is a common pitfall of Korean chocolate. The Yuzu and the Dominique both received flawless tens.
Some creative tastes in their current lineup of 19 ganaches and pralines include the Dulcey Caramel (like a baked, fluffy caramel with substance) and the Casablanca (Morrocan mint tea with bergamot). The French-inspired store maintains true to its origins by utilizing Valrhona chocolate, serving hot chocolates and macarons, and welcoming customers inside with vibrant Parisian décor.
544-28 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (Google Maps)
Apgujeong Metro Station, Exit 4
Hours and prices: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday (2500 per bonbon)
2011 Theobroma
Theobroma is a classic Korean chocolatier. They offer incredibly delicious, attractive bonbons in a variety of flavors. You may purchase their chocolates at the café located under their workshop, which also serves wine, coffee, and probably some food. The truffles are delicious, but the tastes are inconsistent across pieces and, at times, completely nonexistent. Whatever couverture chocolate the chocolatier uses left a mass-produced flavor in my tongue, so although this isn’t my first pick for Gangnam chocolates, it’ll do if you have a sweet craving.
Please keep in mind that the hours shown below are for the café where the truffles are sold, which is situated directly under the chocolatiers’ workplace.
Sinbanpo-ro 41-gil, Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea (Google Maps)
Nonhyeon Metro Station, Exit 5
Hours and prices: 12-8pm on weekdays and 12-6pm on weekends (2500 per bonbon)
Coffee with Chocolate
De Chocolate is more of a coffee cafe that sells chocolates than a chocolate business. They do, however, have multiple locations across Seoul, and each location is a fairly large and calm area in the summer to get a cup of coffee or a chocolate soft serve.
They offer a large coffee selection but just pave and rocher on the chocolate menu. The sweet chocolates are tasty and would go well with a cup of coffee; they come in boxes ranging from 5 to more than a dozen and seem to be popular. The staff is friendly. It simply seems more like a regular café that sells chocolate than a typical chocolate store.
50-1 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Google Maps)
Nonhyeon Metro Station, Exit 8
Hours and prices: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-midnight; Sat: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (1500 per bonbon)
Chocolate Stores in Hongdae
When I’m in Seoul, I go to Hongdae, and I recommend it for any self-guided chocolate tours of the city. To plan your route, use the map at the bottom of the page. The university district is a hotspot for Seoul nightlife, and it is home to some of Korea’s most prestigious educational institutions, as well as numerous student-oriented shops, restaurants, and guest homes. It also houses two Korean chocolate manufacturers. Mapo-gu includes the neighborhoods of Hapjeong, Mangwon, Yeonnam, and Sangsu in addition to Hongdae.
17 Dossi
17Dossi, which translates as 17C in Korean, is entirely instagrammable, as are most sites that survive a long time in Korea. White is the dominant color everywhere, from the all-white tables that serve as backdrops for boxes of bonbons to the display case behind the counter. Their chocolate tastes vary from Honey Chestnut to Passion Fruit or Mojito. 17 offers a limited selection of coffee and chocolate beverages, as well as a chocolate bingsu (shaved ice) special.
Honestly, their truffles are delicious, and the ambience is lovely, but I keep returning for their earl grey hot chocolate, which is genuinely exceptional. It tastes like melting earl grey ganache thinned with steaming whole milk. It’s delicious on a cold winter evening or over ice in the summer. Even if you don’t get one of the two dozen available seats, stop by for a cup of hot chocolate to go.
37 Donggyo-ro 29-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Google Maps)
Exit 3 of the Hongdae Metro Station
Hours and prices: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday (2500 per bonbon;7000 for Earl Grey Hot Chocolate)
CACAODADA
Cacao Dada, an international award-winning chocolate producer, is tucked away in a nook of Hongdae. With cacao from Peru, Madagascar, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Ghana, whoa! In addition to coffee and chocolate beverages, the business offers cacao nibs and beans. My chocolate chip cookies had barely made it a block before I ripped open and devoured the whole package.
From the sitting area, you can even view the couple’s bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing facility. Check their Instagram account for a tip on what new flavors they’re working on if you decide to pick up a cookie or some caramels. The proprietors are shy, although they do speak English. They are always creating something fresh and wonderful, and the open architecture of his café reflects this. I just wish I could bottle and sell the chocolate aroma that pervades their goods!
Address: Mangwon 1(il)-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 15 Huiujeong-ro 10-gil (Google Maps)
Exit 2 of the Mangwon Metro Station
Hours and prices: 12-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday (12000 per 80g bar)
Bittersweet9
A parliament of owls is located on the second story of a nondescript building in Hongdae. After being tempered by hand at a little chocolate business, these birds are formed out of chocolate and individually wrapped. A variety of bars and barks, as well as baggies of chocolate pearls and boxes of bonbons, are snuggled among the owls.
The proprietor, a chocolatier with over seven years of expertise, has four varieties accessible on a daily basis, with the complete variety of ten available on Valentine’s Day. When I arrived shortly before closing, she had sold out of truffles, but the chocolate owls I purchased were delicious. While Bittersweet9 is only open Friday through Sunday, I found the proprietor to be nice and the goodies to be an inexpensive indulgence.
Address: 20 Deunggyo-ro 30-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, #201 (Google Maps)
Exit 3 of the Hongdae Metro Station
Hours and prices: 1-7pm, Friday-Sunday (3500 per owl)
Jungs Dark Chocolate
Max Gandy | Chocolate Travel? (@damecacao) shared a post on July 13, 2018 at 8:04am PDT.
A genuine chocolate business is hidden away from Hongdae’s major streets, nestled in one of the tiniest areas possible. Jungs is one of Seoul’s most diverse chocolate businesses, specializing in precise chocolate pieces and solid chocolates molded into characters like as robots, superheroes, or flowers. His chocolate flowers are formed around freeze-dried strawberries, and the majority of his flavored chocolate bars are dusted with dried fruit pieces.
Due to limited space, his display cases may be packed with mediants, fruit-covered chocolate bars, chocolate-covered almonds, pave chocolates, bonbons, or any number of exquisite solid chocolates on any given week. Look for seasonal specialities such as chocolate-covered dried fruits and chocolate-dipped pepero sticks.
509-18 1st floor, Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-dong, Seoul (Google Maps)
Exit 3 of the Hongdae Metro Station
Hours and prices: Mon-Sat, 11am-8:30pm (2500 per bonbon)
Roasting Experts
A coffee roaster is one of the few Korean handmade chocolate manufacturers. This master, who is relatively new to the market, provides six origins of bean to bar chocolate as well as bags of freshly roasted coffee. The store area is fairly modest, however it was recently renovated to include an espresso bar.
The founders visit to origin on a regular basis to learn more about the cacao they obtain and to improve their ability to transform that cocoa into chocolate. They boldly showcase their bars and generously provide samples of each provenance. Presently, only 70% dark chocolate is available in each of their six South American origins. Stop in and taste some of their award-winning Costa Rica bars, or pick up a little bar to give as a gift. They also have lovely packaging for sets of four little bars.
Dangin-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 33 Wausan-ro 3-gil (Google Maps)
Exit 4 of the Sangsu Metro Station
Hours and prices: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (15000 per 80g bar)
Chocolatique
I’ve never been in a café that exudes more comfortable French cafe sensations than this little store, and I’ve visited Paris twice. Inside, the owner’s face greets you, beaming from behind a display case of hand-rolled truffles. After that, a cup of traditional sipping chocolate is placed in your hands, picked from a modest range of teas and coffees. Chocolatique’s proprietor, Tae Hee Lee (), handcrafts each of her shifting flavors.
From Raspberry Rose to Bitter Coffee, my personal favorites are Cinnamon Milk and Himalayan Salted Caramel. Chocolate-covered nuts and nibs are also available, as are eight different varieties of melty, chewy caramels. I wish I could order these caramels and have them delivered. After eleven years working at a leading pastry business in Gangnam, the proprietor launched in September 2017. She communicates in colloquial English.
Yeonhaedong130-13, Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (Google Maps)
Exit 3 of the Hongdae Metro Station
Hours and prices: noon-9pm, Tuesday-Sunday. (price varies according to weight; $1600 per bonbon)
LaonD
I’m not sure why, but I didn’t have high hopes for LaonD, and I was utterly wrong. Their truffles are delicious, particularly the double peach, and, unlike usual, I was more delighted with the truffles than the macarons. Within the store, there is space for just two couples, as well as a dozen chocolates and a half dozen macaron kinds to pick from.
Chocolate salami, chocolate-covered almonds, and seasonal delicacies are also available, all prepared using Valrhona & Felchlin couverture chocolate. LaonD provides a selection of French-style furnishings and chocolate art, as well as chairs to relax on when the weather is beautiful. Although I wouldn’t call the store beautiful, there are enough of cacao-themed trinkets to pique your interest. It’s a modest yet efficient chocolate store.
53 Yanghwa-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong, Seoul (Google Maps)
Exit 3 of the Hapjeong Metro Station
Hours and prices: 12pm-8pm, Monday-Saturday (2500 per bonbon)
Other Communities
While Seoul is not completely made of Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae, it seems to be at times. Although not residing in the city, I spend most of my time in Seoul at one of the aforementioned areas, as I’m sure many other expats and visitors do. Yet Seoul is huge, and the delicious, delicious beauty of her cuisine is not restricted to the city center. There are some delectable goodies in various parts of Seoul, including one of my favorite cafés in Korea.
Theo 717
I believe this is as good a moment as any to explain: Theo refers to Theobroma cacao, the scientific name for cacao, the fruit from which chocolate is derived. So this pair manufactures chocolate from bean to bar at Theo 717. Despite the fact that they recently opened in 2018, they offer a range of five origins, as well as dark, milk, and white chocolates, with all of their equipment on show. Kim would gladly explain the chocolate-making process to anybody who is interested, including images. The proprietors speak adequate English, enough to explain their wares and engage in discussion.
Together with the many origins, Theo provides 6 distinct chocolate beverages handpicked by Chef Na and on the sweeter side, produced with whatever origin strikes their fancy at the time. They are quite hospitable, providing a clean environment with free Internet and workstations. They even have a tiny cocoa tree outside the entrance receiving sunlight!
Address: Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Eunhaengjeong-ro 6-gil (Google Maps)
Exit 8 of the Mokdong Metro Station
Hours and prices: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (5000 per 40g bar)
Mirabeau Chocolatier is a French chocolatier.
Mirabeau reminds me of a lovely log cabin with plenty of natural light and picture opportunities, but with a more refined facelift. Because of the white walls and the eye-catching chocolate display case, the whole business opens up as you go in. With over 20 distinct choices placed in two rows, the bonbons and truffles give just enough space at the end to show off the macarons and chocolate-covered almonds. I am happy that the caf has just begun selling walnut chocolate chip cookies.
My favorites among their many flavors are the Cinnamon, Sesame, and Earl Grey, but I am a sucker for traditional combinations. They have a nice choice of drink options and chocolates in stock, all with strong, distinct tastes. Their lattes are bitter, their internet is reliable, and they offer two (small) levels of seats, which is a rarity in Seoul. Mirabeau is impossible to miss, and not only because of the famed samgyetang restaurant across the street.
34 Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea (Google Maps)
Exit 2 of the Gyeongbokgung Metro Station
Daily hours and prices: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (2500 per bonbon)
Coco Raum’s
It is not immediately clear that you have entered a chocolate factory. Cocoraum is a tiny café with around a dozen seats, and its house-roasted coffee is prominently displayed along the counter. They feature a vast coffee menu with a wide range of drinks, including amusing cream-based and kid-friendly beverages. In the background, indie music plays, and the clean green and white color scheme gives it an Americana flavor. Yet, this is a chocolate makers studio, despite the fact that the proprietors began in the coffee sector.
Their house-roasted coffee beans come from a variety of sources, but their chocolate comes from just two (both sourced from Roasting Masters). But, unlike other stores, Cocoraum also provides a maltitol hot chocolate that does not taste odd, as I thought, but quite delicious. It provides some uniqueness in a burgeoning Korean chocolate industry, and their coffee expertise has given them an advantage in taste creation. Both the husband and wife are fluent in English.
Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 58 Sadang-ro 27gil Sadang-dong (Google Maps)
Exit 10 of the Isu Metro Station
Holidays} (8500 per 45g bar) (8500 per 45g bar) Sun. Hours and Prices:8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., everyday; open 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Little Big
Petit Grand, formerly of the Hongdae district, provides excellent tastes and a diversity of textures in its bonbons. They are located only a few streets away from the previous P.Chokko and cover many of the holes that P.Chokko had as a chocolate store, however they are not chocolate manufacturers themselves. They also don’t offer beverages or chocolate bars, but this one-woman store does sell multiple types of macarons and bonbons at a time, none of which are unduly sweet and all of which I’d purchase again.
Despite the fact that she seems to manage the firm solely on her own, the owner speaks great English and I found her to be rather friendly. All goods had distinct tastes, but my favorites were the raspberry macaron and the pistachio bonbon.
656-1017 B 1, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Korea (Google Maps)
Ttukseom Metro Station, Exit 6
Hours and prices: 12-8pm, Wednesday-Monday (2400 per bonbon)
I am in Choco.
Truffles, like Little Dala, are exclusively available at Im In Choco throughout the winter, before Valentine’s Day and White Day. Im In Choco, on the other hand, is obviously a labor of love, with the friendly proprietor there every day, samples on hand. Outside of the winter peak season, the offerings are largely chocolate bark and chocolate-covered almonds, but in a great variety of flavors (albeit on the sweet side).
If you’re searching for a weekend adventure in northern Seoul, the proprietor also provides chocolate workshops for youngsters. If you’d rather drink your calories, there are many chocolate beverages to choose from. The business is mostly for takeaway, however there are a few seats facing the street if you want to sit down and enjoy your chocolates straight away.
Address: Wolgye 3(sam)-dong, Wolgye-dong 37-4 1st floor, Seoul (Google Maps)
Exit 2 of the Seokgye Metro Station
Sun. (2500 per bonbon) (2500 per bonbon) Hours and prices: 11am-8pm, Tuesday-Friday; 1pm-7pm, Saturday.
Seoul’s Salon du Chocolat
The Salon du Chocolat, which began in Paris in the 1990s, now has its own equivalent in Seoul. It is the biggest chocolate festival in Korea, held in the CoEx event center in the Gangnam neighborhood, and provides participants with access to chocolate from all over the globe. Yet there will be no Lindt or Ghirardelli here. Oh, no.
Bean-to-bar chocolate, handcrafted chocolate delicacies, and raw cacao are all available at this chocolate event. It also serves as a trade event and a fashion show for the chocolate business, with daily samples and instruction accessible for a modest cost. The event was particularly family-friendly and plenty of free samples, in my opinion. Admission is just 10,000 (USD$9) per person if you pre-register online.
The next Salon will be held in January 2023.
Read about previous years here.
Map of Seoul with Chocolate
Which place do you want to go first? Is there anything more I should see in Seoul?
Do you like this post? Save it for later!
Leave a Reply