Wangsimni Cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake is a perfect spot for those looking to work quietly alone while enjoying some delicious treats. This cozy cafe offers a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of natural light streaming through its windows, making it an ideal place to focus and relax.
Located in a quiet residential area, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake is known for its handmade desserts, including financiers, madeleines, and cream lattes that are both visually appealing and delicious. If you’re visiting the Wangsimni BBQ Alley or looking for a quiet cafe to unwind, this hidden gem is just a short walk away and definitely worth a visit.
If you’re looking for a calm place to work quietly by the window, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake is perfect. Even though it’s in an unfamiliar neighborhood, I felt at peace, and the sunlight streaming through the windows helped me focus. This Wangsimni cafe offers a range of handmade desserts that are absolutely delicious, and their cream latte is visually appealing and tastes perfect.
Overview, Wangsimni Cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake
Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake is about a 10-minute walk from Sangwangsimni Station and Wangsimni Station. Since it’s located in a residential area, the walk might feel a bit long, but it’s just a 5-minute walk from the Wangsimni BBQ Alley, making it a great spot to visit after a meal. I highly recommend this hidden gem for those looking for a handmade dessert cafe near Wangsimni.
Wangsimni Cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake Opening Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Last Order 4:00 PM)
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last Order 6:30 PM)
- Sunday: Closed
The early opening and closing times seem to cater primarily to office workers looking for a quick bite and coffee on their way to work.
Although it’s nestled in a quiet residential area, its proximity to the Wangsimni Cathedral and Seongdong-gu Health Center ensures a steady flow of foot traffic, making it an ideally located Wangsimni restaurant.
more info: Official Instagram
Atmosphere of Wangsimni Cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake
On a day like today, with beautiful weather, you can immediately feel a sense of calm in this cozy space. The windows are wide open, making the space feel airy and fresh, and allowing a lot of natural light to stream in.
Before entering, I snapped a picture of the operating hours on the door and the cute sign outside! I later learned that this handmade dessert cafe, originally a hit in Pohang, has now expanded to Wangsimni.
The owner seems to be an animal lover, as evidenced by the water bowl and cat food placed under a chair for stray cats. This warm-heartedness extends to allowing pets inside the cafe as well.
The cafe is not particularly small, but it seems to cater more to takeout customers rather than those dining in. There are only two 4-person tables and a bar table, which on a good weather day like today, might not see much use.
Upon seeing the window seat, I immediately claimed it as my own.
I had a packed schedule that afternoon but managed to carve out an hour or two for some personal work. I chose the most relaxing spot in Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake, a Wangsimni cafe, for some much-needed downtime. There were various books and a coloring book next to me, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to read them.
In the middle of the cafe, I noticed an array of handmade desserts on display. Each was individually wrapped and neatly organized. While the display wasn’t as stylish or trendy as the typical SNS cafes, it had a genuine, homemade feel.
The cafe uses only organic and top-quality ingredients for their handmade cookies and desserts, and the flavors are truly exceptional.
I must say, these were the best desserts I’ve tasted in a long time.
The prices are quite reasonable, so I chose a madeleine, a financier, and a pound cake — each one picked with great care.
A small refrigerator near the counter housed various cookies, so I also selected a cookie to try. Today felt like a perfect day to indulge in some sweet treats!
Above the cookie storage area at the counter, there were descriptions of gift sets. Considering how delicious these handmade desserts are, I might even give them out as gifts this holiday season. If you’re looking for bulk orders or special occasion favors like weddings, baby showers, or corporate gifts, I highly recommend visiting or calling them for more information.
What I order,
- Salty Caramel Cream Latte: 6,000 KRW
- Lotus Financier: 2,800 KRW
- Fig Cream Cheese Financier: 2,800 KRW
- Earl Grey Walnut Jam Cookie: 3,800 KRW
- White Red Velvet Madeleine: 3,000 KRW
- Lemon Pound Cake: 3,700 KRW
As I watched my latte being meticulously prepared, I took the opportunity to explore the cafe. The walls are adorned with beautiful, emotion-evoking photographs, and the small cactus terrarium adds a touch of the owner’s personality to the space.
This Wangsimni cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake, feels like a personal studio where one can work in peace while still being in a public cafe setting.
My Own Experience at Wangsimni Cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake
Just as I was settling in to start working by the window, the staff brought out my selected madeleine, baked goods, and financier, all carefully plated and presented — I was genuinely touched!
The visuals were on point, so naturally, I took pictures before diving in. The addition of a freshly launched muffin that wasn’t yet on the menu was a pleasant surprise, and the aroma of freshly baked bread enhanced the experience.
I tried the muffin first, which had carrots in it. It was incredibly flavorful, and since it was freshly baked, it was still warm and soft. It felt like a very wholesome, savory version of a carrot cake muffin.
Lotus Financier
This place is undeniably a master of financiers! It’s rare to find a place that perfectly captures the essence of this French pastry, and I have to say, this place nails it. Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake in Wangsimni uses only the finest butter and organic ingredients, and it shows in the flawless taste.
The base is so good that whether it’s topped with Lotus or fig, every variation is delicious. Personally, the fig cream cheese financier, with its chewy texture and bits of fig, was my absolute favorite.
Earl Grey Walnut Jam Cookie
At first, I wondered if the walnut jam was red, but I was informed that the walnuts and Earl Grey are mixed into the dough, while the jam is actually raspberry. The tartness of the raspberry jam perfectly balances out the sweetness of the cookie, creating a harmonious flavor.
Salted Caramel Cream Latte
The cream on top isn’t overly thick, making the visual presentation perfect, and the taste is beyond words — the best cream latte I’ve had recently. Stir it well to blend the extreme sweetness with the creamy flavor, and you have a drink that’s indulgently delicious. At this moment, it became my favorite Wangsimni cafe.
Lemon Pound Cake
For those expecting a large pound cake, this one might seem small, about the size of my palm. Being a fan of lemon flavor, I ordered it without hesitation, and it did not disappoint! I would have loved it to be a bit more tangy and sour, but even as is, it’s perfect.
White Red Velvet Madeleine
I couldn’t quite detect the red velvet flavor, and it tasted more like a sweet chocolate madeleine. Nevertheless, the base cake itself was moist and rich in buttery goodness, making it incredibly tasty.
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Final Thoughts
If this cafe were closer to home, I would be here every day with my laptop. Unfortunately, it’s not, but whenever I find a parking spot nearby, I know where to go for some quality time with desserts and work.
For anyone looking to enjoy perfect desserts made with the best ingredients at great value, I highly recommend visiting this cafe without hesitation.
- A cozy dessert cafe where you can enjoy treats with your child!
- A place that sells homemade cookies, desserts, and drinks using organic flour and the highest quality ingredients!
- The scones, cookies, and financiers are really delicious, and they often give extra treats!
This Wangsimni cafe, Ugly Dessert & Pretty Cake, has solved one of my dilemmas — I’ve already decided that this will be my go-to place for Christmas gifts this year!
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