The Inside Scoop

Fell + Cole is the darling of the Korean food media, and with good reason—its high-quality, additive-free ice cream and inventive flavors were unprecedented when owner Tristan Choi opened his first location on a Hongdae back alley four years ago. Things weren't always so easy. Fell + Cole changed locations twice before settling in its sunny Sangsu space. They've since expanded to three venues across Seoul. 

Cacao Boom mostly sells gourmet chocolates (the owner studied chocolate in Belgium) their Samcheong-dong venue has moved to Iteawon-dong also sells gelato. They use the same chocolate made in-house from cacao beans in their gelato—if you like it dark, get the “strong chocolate” flavor. Also pictured: green tea.

If there’s ever a time and a place to start with dessert first, it’s this place. To compare, I would have to refer to the strawberry sorbet at the famed Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis, Paris (sometimes referred to as “the most delicious ice cream in the world”). Soft and sweet, with the taste of fresh strawberries, it’s hard to believe that this strawberry sorbet has been hiding in Busan for the past three years where they were previously located. 

There’s rarely open seating at Gelati Gelati, for good reason—their gelato is the best you’ll find in Hongdae (the owner here also studied gelato-making in Italy). They display more flavors than most and you can pick two flavors for a single (downside: no free samples). We’ll just have to come back to try them all. Pictured: Green tea and mango.